The Leicestershire Psychology Service
What are your fees and how do i pay?
Payment and fees
Self funding clients
Those who are paying for their appointments themselves, or for consultation, training or clinical supervision will be required to pay by bank transfer (BACS) at the end of the appointment. Fees for a first appointment are required up-front to secure the booking. Payment for subsequent sessions is via bank transfer (BACS) on the day of the session.
If you represent an organisation we will request invoice details at the time of booking and provide the service you require with the agreement that invoices are paid within 28 days of the date of the invoice. Please see my Terms and Conditions for further information.
Private medical insurance
Those who are funding their appointments through a private medical insurance policy will need to clarify what services their policy covers. As some private medical insurance providers will not cover non-attended / cancelled appointments, policy excesses, shortfall in fees, reports and some will only cover a percentage of the service fee. Ordinarily, we will invoice your insurance provider for payment, but any shortfall in fees may be charged to you directly. Please see Terms and Conditions for further details.
I am registered with AXA PPP and AVIVA. If you are registered with another medical insurance provider please get in touch to see if I can arrange provision with this provider.
- Fees for clinical psychology appointments are £120 per hour, however, I offer a discounted rate of £100 per hour for people who are funding their own appointments (e.g. who are funding their appointments through a private medical insurance plan).
- Fees for a one-off (non legal) psychological assessment report is £200 in addition to the fee for the assessment appointment.
- Fees for professionals accessing clinical supervision, reflective practice, or training are £100 per hour.
Self funding clients
Those who are paying for their appointments themselves, or for consultation, training or clinical supervision will be required to pay by bank transfer (BACS) at the end of the appointment. Fees for a first appointment are required up-front to secure the booking. Payment for subsequent sessions is via bank transfer (BACS) on the day of the session.
If you represent an organisation we will request invoice details at the time of booking and provide the service you require with the agreement that invoices are paid within 28 days of the date of the invoice. Please see my Terms and Conditions for further information.
Private medical insurance
Those who are funding their appointments through a private medical insurance policy will need to clarify what services their policy covers. As some private medical insurance providers will not cover non-attended / cancelled appointments, policy excesses, shortfall in fees, reports and some will only cover a percentage of the service fee. Ordinarily, we will invoice your insurance provider for payment, but any shortfall in fees may be charged to you directly. Please see Terms and Conditions for further details.
I am registered with AXA PPP and AVIVA. If you are registered with another medical insurance provider please get in touch to see if I can arrange provision with this provider.
I dont really understand my problems or know what therapy i need
We do not expect you to understand your difficulties or know what therapy you need, this is the function of the first appointment which is to establish what your difficulties are and to discuss together a plan of what may be helpful to you.
are my appointments confidential?
Information shared with me is treated in strict confidence and I have a duty of care to protect this information so that it is not shared without your consent. Please see our Privacy Policy for further information.
Your contact with The Leicestershire Psychology Service, including information shared with us prior to assessment, during assessment and during therapy appointments in confidential. This means that we will not disclose any information about you to any third party, unless you agree and consent to this. There are two exceptions to this:
The Leicestershire Psychology Service asks that you provide your GP contact details so that your GP can be informed that you have started therapy. You are welcome to review the letter before it is sent. However, if you prefer that your GP is not informed then your GP details will be stored, but no contact will be made unless there significant concerns for your wellbeing as outlined in our Terms and Conditions.
Your contact with The Leicestershire Psychology Service, including information shared with us prior to assessment, during assessment and during therapy appointments in confidential. This means that we will not disclose any information about you to any third party, unless you agree and consent to this. There are two exceptions to this:
- Clinical supervision: Clinical Psychologists have an ethical duty under our professional Code of Conduct to have regular clinical supervision from another appropriately qualified psychologist. It is standard practice during clinical supervision to discuss the work we are doing together but this will not include any identifiable details. This process is to ensure we offer the best possible care to you.
- Risk: We have an ethical and legal obligation to take steps to protect our clients, children and other members of the public from risk of harm. Therefore, there is some information we cannot keep confidential and may be duty bound to report or act upon. For example, if you share information with us that suggests that you or someone else is in danger then we are required to act upon this to protect you or another person. This may require us giving information to the Police, your GP or Social Care as appropriate. If this is applicable to you we will discuss this situation with you fully unless there is a very strong reason why this is not possible. We will try to get your permission first unless there is a very strong reason why this is not possible. We shall aim to discuss this with you as soon as possible afterwards. We would reveal only the information required to protect the wellbeing of yourself or another person. We would not reveal everything you have shared with us.
The Leicestershire Psychology Service asks that you provide your GP contact details so that your GP can be informed that you have started therapy. You are welcome to review the letter before it is sent. However, if you prefer that your GP is not informed then your GP details will be stored, but no contact will be made unless there significant concerns for your wellbeing as outlined in our Terms and Conditions.
what are the benefits of private psychology appointments
The benefits of referral to a private clinical psychologist are:
- You can self-refer for such services which isn't often possible in the NHS
- There are usually no waiting lists or if so, they are very short
- You can choose who you want to work with and find an approach that is right for you
- You do not need to inform your GP (although GP details will be taken in case of emergencies or a need to contact to arrange crisis intervention such as a high risk of serious self harm)
- Greater flexibility in the frequency and duration of appointments (within clinical appropriateness)
- We can make recommendations for NHS services where such exist that could meet your needs
do you offer home visits?
We do not offer home visits under normal circumstances but if there are exceptional circumstances then please contact us to discuss this further.
do i have to do homework?
There is no requirement to do homework, however there can be elements of psychological therapy that benefit from practice at home. The extent to which you feel able to practice at home is your decision and we will help you to find a solution that works best for you.
do you offer online therapy or clinical supervision?
I offer both online / video appointments and in-person appointments for assessment, therapy and supervision.
With online appointments it is important that you have a private space in order to engage in online work. Please contact us and we can discuss this further.
With online appointments it is important that you have a private space in order to engage in online work. Please contact us and we can discuss this further.
what is the difference between a clinical psychologist and counsellor or psychiatrist?
Clinical psychologists
A clinical psychologist is a legally protected title and only those who have met a high level of doctoral level training, competence and expertise can use it. These standards are set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and endorsed by The British Psychological Society (BPS). A typical training route for a clinical psychologist is a three year undergraduate degree and two or there years working as an assistant psychologist or research assistant until they are eligible to apply for the three year postgraduate doctorate in clinical psychology (DClinPsy). A qualified clinical psychologist is trained in a rich variety of approaches to understand human behaviour and emotions and trained to tailor such approaches to create bespoke intervention plans for complex difficulties. In addition to working with individual or groups of people, clinical psychologists are trained to offer clinical supervision, training, consultation and research.
Psychiatrists
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialised in mental health by doing additional training. Psychiatrists diagnose mental health conditions and can prescribe medication. Some Psychiatrists may take additional training to offer therapy.
Counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists
The terms counsellor, therapist, psychotherapist and psychologist are not protected or regulated titles. Anyone can adopt these professional titles regardless of their experience or qualifications. When choosing a therapist from these categories it is important to research whether they belong to reputable professional bodies such as:
The British Psychological Society (BPS)British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
The British Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapies (BABCP)
UK Council for Psychotherapies (UKCP)
Counsellors deliver a type of therapy called 'counselling' which can take the form of a number of specific approaches or models. It is often short term and less directive which means that the counsellor usually facilitates you to express how you are feeling and come to your own solutions. This is different from other types of therapy that can be more directive and active, with activities to complete or where the therapist may gently challenge you to understand yourself and your way of thinking. There are various routes into counselling and some practitioners may be very experienced with lots of quality training, whereas others may have completed a brief course in a specific therapy and practice as a counsellor or psychotherapist.
The word 'counselling' is often used as a generic term for any type of therapy, as is 'psychotherapy'. However, psychotherapy is a specific branch of therapy that tends to be longer term, again less directive and more helping you to understand unconscious motives and feelings that may underpin your difficulties.
A clinical psychologist is a legally protected title and only those who have met a high level of doctoral level training, competence and expertise can use it. These standards are set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and endorsed by The British Psychological Society (BPS). A typical training route for a clinical psychologist is a three year undergraduate degree and two or there years working as an assistant psychologist or research assistant until they are eligible to apply for the three year postgraduate doctorate in clinical psychology (DClinPsy). A qualified clinical psychologist is trained in a rich variety of approaches to understand human behaviour and emotions and trained to tailor such approaches to create bespoke intervention plans for complex difficulties. In addition to working with individual or groups of people, clinical psychologists are trained to offer clinical supervision, training, consultation and research.
Psychiatrists
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialised in mental health by doing additional training. Psychiatrists diagnose mental health conditions and can prescribe medication. Some Psychiatrists may take additional training to offer therapy.
Counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists
The terms counsellor, therapist, psychotherapist and psychologist are not protected or regulated titles. Anyone can adopt these professional titles regardless of their experience or qualifications. When choosing a therapist from these categories it is important to research whether they belong to reputable professional bodies such as:
The British Psychological Society (BPS)British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
The British Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapies (BABCP)
UK Council for Psychotherapies (UKCP)
Counsellors deliver a type of therapy called 'counselling' which can take the form of a number of specific approaches or models. It is often short term and less directive which means that the counsellor usually facilitates you to express how you are feeling and come to your own solutions. This is different from other types of therapy that can be more directive and active, with activities to complete or where the therapist may gently challenge you to understand yourself and your way of thinking. There are various routes into counselling and some practitioners may be very experienced with lots of quality training, whereas others may have completed a brief course in a specific therapy and practice as a counsellor or psychotherapist.
The word 'counselling' is often used as a generic term for any type of therapy, as is 'psychotherapy'. However, psychotherapy is a specific branch of therapy that tends to be longer term, again less directive and more helping you to understand unconscious motives and feelings that may underpin your difficulties.
ARE THERE PEOPLE OR DIFFICULTIES YOU DON'T WORK WITH?
As an independent practitioner, it would be unsafe for me to provide services to people with a high risk of frequent serious crisis / harm to self or others or involvement with the law. Therefore, I am unable to work with the following difficulties:
There may also be situations in which a person is not in a stable place to engage in therapy at that present time. An example of this is a person living in a violent relationship who wants to work on their past childhood trauma. It is likely that the first priority may be to focus on finding ways to improve their safety in their current relationship, such as obtaining support to leave an abusive environment, rather than opening up difficult memories from the past whilst living with current trauma. I am more than happy to help you decide if our services can help you, please feel free to contact me to find out more.
The Leicester Psychology Service at present only works with adults and so does not offer services to children or families. However, I can recommend local colleagues who can offer such work.
- difficulties that are associated with frequent or severe crises (e.g. making plans or attempts to end life and inability to contract to not act upon thoughts). Please contact your GP urgently if you are experiencing such difficulties.
- people that are not psychologically ready for therapy (e.g. as their medical needs require addressing first, or unable to think about their diffculties from a psychological perspective)
- difficulties whereby the person is currently dependent on alcohol or misusing prescription or recreational drugs to the level that it will impair ability to engage in therapy
There may also be situations in which a person is not in a stable place to engage in therapy at that present time. An example of this is a person living in a violent relationship who wants to work on their past childhood trauma. It is likely that the first priority may be to focus on finding ways to improve their safety in their current relationship, such as obtaining support to leave an abusive environment, rather than opening up difficult memories from the past whilst living with current trauma. I am more than happy to help you decide if our services can help you, please feel free to contact me to find out more.
The Leicester Psychology Service at present only works with adults and so does not offer services to children or families. However, I can recommend local colleagues who can offer such work.
WILL YOU PRODUCE A WRITTEN REPORT FOR ME?
If you require a written summary of your difficulties and our plan together then this can be provided at an additional cost. Please click here for more details about assessments.
What is a psychological assessment?
Clinical psychologists are extensively trained in assessment of issues that people may present with. This means they know what questions to ask and how to ask them in a way that enables you to feel safe and supported, especially when you may be trying to share information that may be difficult. An assessment appointment may enable you to understand more about how your difficulties have developed, what keeps them going or what prevents you from being able to make changes and break free from your difficulties.
Some people may opt for a one off assessment so that they can understood more about their difficulties and potential ways to improve their difficulties, and wish to try this out for themselves before considering follow up therapy appointments. If you wish to do this you can choose if and when you would like to take up therapy. I am happy to support you to do what feels right for you. There is no obligation to take up follow up appointments.
You may also wish to request an assessment only service along with a psychological assessment report to guide decision making around access to NHS services. Please note that a psychological assessment report will incur an additional charge. Please see below.
Sometimes it may be more appropriate for you to be referred to another professional with skills and expertise in a specific area. Where this is necessary I will advise you of this and why, and help you to find alternative help. It is also the case that sometimes after an assessment appointment we may advise that further therapy is not recommended and would explain if this was the case for you and why that was. Please see my FAQ's for further information of reasons I may not work with someone.
The typical duration of an assessment appointment is a 90 minute appointment. If we require further appointments to complete the assessment then you can decide if you wish to do this.
Examples of assessments:
Please contact me for more information or to book an assessment appointment.
Some people may opt for a one off assessment so that they can understood more about their difficulties and potential ways to improve their difficulties, and wish to try this out for themselves before considering follow up therapy appointments. If you wish to do this you can choose if and when you would like to take up therapy. I am happy to support you to do what feels right for you. There is no obligation to take up follow up appointments.
You may also wish to request an assessment only service along with a psychological assessment report to guide decision making around access to NHS services. Please note that a psychological assessment report will incur an additional charge. Please see below.
Sometimes it may be more appropriate for you to be referred to another professional with skills and expertise in a specific area. Where this is necessary I will advise you of this and why, and help you to find alternative help. It is also the case that sometimes after an assessment appointment we may advise that further therapy is not recommended and would explain if this was the case for you and why that was. Please see my FAQ's for further information of reasons I may not work with someone.
The typical duration of an assessment appointment is a 90 minute appointment. If we require further appointments to complete the assessment then you can decide if you wish to do this.
Examples of assessments:
- assessment of mental health (e.g. PTSD, anxiety, depression, eating disorders)
- assessment for suitability for psychological therapy
- assessment of cognitive functioning
Please contact me for more information or to book an assessment appointment.
