Two people can experience apparently similar symptoms for very different reasons.

Anxiety, for example, might be maintained by patterns of thinking and avoidance, a highly activated threat response, difficult past experiences, perfectionism, uncertainty, relationship dynamics or a combination of factors.

For this reason, I don't begin by assuming that a particular therapeutic technique or diagnosis explains everything.

The assessment helps me develop an initial psychological understanding of the difficulty and consider what kind of therapeutic work may be most useful.

At the end of the assessment, I will share my initial thoughts about what may be happening.

Where possible, I will also explain how I would suggest approaching the work and which therapeutic approaches may be helpful.

If I don't think I am the right person to help, or believe that another type of assessment, treatment or professional support would be more appropriate, I will discuss this with you.

alongside demanding professional lives.

These include anxiety and panic, burnout and chronic stress, perfectionism, health anxiety and persistent physical symptoms, depression and loss of meaning, people-pleasing and over-responsibility, confidence following difficult experiences, life and identity transitions, and the continuing impact of past experiences.

You do not need to decide which category your experience fits into before booking.

Psychological difficulties rarely fit neatly into a single box, and understanding the relationship between different symptoms and experiences is part of the assessment process.

An initial assessment is a clinical appointment rather than an introductory or sales conversation.

It gives us enough time to explore your circumstances properly and for me to begin forming a psychological understanding of what may be happening.

Anything you discuss is treated confidentially in accordance with my professional and ethical responsibilities. I will explain any relevant limits to confidentiality as part of our work together.

If you require a report for your insurance, medical professional or workplace, this will be provided.

People often delay seeking therapy because they are still functioning, aren't sure their difficulty is "serious enough", or believe they should be able to resolve it themselves.

You do not need to wait until something becomes unmanageable.

If something is repeatedly affecting how you feel, behave, relate to others or experience your life, an initial assessment can help establish what is happening and what might help.