FAQs

Do I need a referral?

A referral is not required to book an initial consultation. Some private health insurance providers may require a GP referral for reimbursement, so it is best to confirm this directly with your insurer.

Do you provide therapy to children and adolescents? 

Yes, all ages are welcome at Beo. 

Are parents expected to be involved in treatment? 

Parental or carer involvement is essential in child and adolescent therapy. The family is very important in facilitating and speeding up recovery. The involvement of parents or carers will be planned with the family. In many families, the whole family or support system can benefit from learning new coping skills and/or processing their experience of their child’s difficulty or trauma. This might mean that parents or carers stay for part-of, some or all sessions. Typically, with primary school aged children parents attend all sessions with their child. If you do not want your parent or carer involved we’ll work together to try reach a compromise that prioritises your safety and recovery. 

My son/daughter is struggling but I can’t convince them to start therapy?

That’s very reasonable, the thought of therapy can be very overwhelming and often staying with our suffering can feel safer to us. Your son/daughter may have good reasons to be reluctant to start therapy. I can support you to encourage them to meet me briefly or for an initial session to “test the water”. However, there is much convincing research to suggest that engaging parents in therapy yields improvements in their child’s mental health. We can work together to consider how you best support them, while also looking after your needs in a probably very challenging time for you as a parent. 

I have a young baby, can I bring them to my sessions? 

If the sessions are for you then absolutely yes. You may find that being close to your baby helps ground you for the work. You might also choose not to have your baby present, and that is ok too. I can be flexible about what you need. If the sessions are for an older child, please have childcare arrangements in place for your baby. 

Do you provide a service for people who are neurodivergent? 

Of course. If you identify as neurodivergent or have a diagnosis of ADHD or ASD you are more than welcome. At Beo, all therapeutic approaches are adapted to the individual learning and engagement styles of all people. 

Do you offer neurodevelopmental or cognitive assessment? 

Such assessments are available for current clients, where an assessment or diagnosis will inform our work together. However, do contact me at claire@beopsychology.com if you wish to be held in mind should such assessments become available for people who are not current clients.

What happens at the initial consultation? 

The initial consultation is an opportunity for you to meet me, hear a bit more about how we will work together and then for you to make a decision about whether or not you want to engage in therapy together. It also will give me an opportunity to learn a bit about you and consider whether the services I can provide will be suitable for you. 

In the consultation, will I be asked to talk about the trauma that I experienced? 

Talking about the trauma/s might be incredibly activating for you. With this in mind, in the consultation, you will not be asking to share in-depth details of the trauma that you experienced. It would be helpful to know the nature of the trauma (e.g. car accident, birth trauma, adverse childhood experiences, rape). If it is too distressing to name it, please let me know. 

Does my child have to attend the consultation? 

It depends, if they are onboard with seeing me then yes. It can be a good opportunity for them to meet me from a distance while also sitting with you as a support. If you have a good reason not to include them at this stage then go ahead and book the consultation and I look forward to meeting them soon. 

What does the assessment involve? 

Typically the assessment takes place over two longer sessions (1.5 hours each). Ahead of the first assessment session you will receive a detailed assessment pack, with questionnaires for you to complete and you will be invoiced for the assessment. For more details on the assessment process click here.

What happens if therapy is recommended?

Following the assessment, if therapy is recommended, we will discuss and agree on a treatment plan. Depending on the difficulties you want to work on, we will agree to an estimated number of sessions. EMDR sessions are offered as weekly 90-minute sessions to support effective processing and safe completion of each session.

How long are therapy sessions? 

EMDR therapy sessions are offered as 90-minute sessions to support effective processing and safe completion of each session.

Why are sessions 90 minutes?

Research shows that you will experience quicker relief from your difficulties from 90 minute sessions.Ninety-minute sessions of EMDR allows sufficient time for therapeutic work while also supporting regulation, grounding, and emotional safety before the session ends.

How often will we meet?

Sessions are usually scheduled weekly, particularly at the beginning of therapy. Frequency is reviewed regularly and agreed collaboratively, based on therapeutic needs and practical considerations.

Do you provide services online?

Yes I do. However, in some circumstances you will be encouraged to come to the clinic, even if your preference is online. But we can discuss this further if needed. 

Are sessions confidential? 

Yes, sessions are confidential. The limits of confidentiality will be discussed and explained in the Confidentiality Agreement. 

Is therapy guaranteed to help?

Psychological therapy cannot guarantee specific outcomes. My role is to provide evidence-based, trauma-informed psychological care within a professional and collaborative therapeutic relationship. Progress and goals are reviewed together over time.

Can I claim your service on my health insurance? 

Often you can claim back cost from your health insurance. Check your policy and consult your insurance company. 

What happens if I am running late? 

If you are running late, please let me know. Your time slot will not be given to anyone else so once you attend, we can work together for the remaining time available in the session. Your session time won’t be extended as it is likely that there will be another person waiting after you and it is important for Beo to run a timely service.  If you are late for your session, you will still be charged the full rate. Full details of charges are explained in the Cancellation Policy. 

What if I am unsure about starting therapy?

It is very common to feel uncertain at the beginning. The initial consultation is designed to help you decide whether proceeding feels right for you. You are welcome to ask questions and take time to consider your options.

Do you co-work with other services? 

If you or your family member are under the care of CAMHS or AMHS, I am to consider co-working with your supporting team with their knowledge and support. Occasional contact with your GP may be necessary, this will be discussed with you in your initial appointment. 

What are your clinic hours? 

Beo is a part-time service that operations during school term time. 

Assessent and therapy sessions are offered Monday to Thursday.

Email enquires and bookings are open all year round.

Cancellation Policy 

If you wish to cancel or change your booked appointment, please do so by email. Appointments can be rescheduled at no additional cost if at least 48 hrs notice is given. Cancellations within 24 hours incur half the fee and those cancelled with less than 24 hours notice will incur the full fee.

Do you offer emergency mental health appointments? 

No, this is a part-time service and not an emergency service. If you or your child is experiencing a mental health emergency, please take it seriously and do the following: 

If you or your child has a safety plan please implement the plan. 

Call emergency service 112 or 999 to request assistance

Call your GP or psychiatrist or out of hours (KDOC: 045848701)

Go to your nearest A&E department for a mental health assessment.