When you you need a little extra help managing your mental health and well-being, therapy can be a helpful tool to have in your toolkit of resources. Whether you need a few sessions or longer-term support, we have a number of therapists and low-cost therapeutic services here at the Meridian Centre with availability for sessions on weekdays, evenings and weekends.
We know that seeking support and making that first phone call can feel like a difficult first step. To help with this, we’ve simplified our own process by offering new clients an online booking system for assessment appointments. Simply by visiting our website, you can book yourself a time slot (wait time is currently around a week) for a face-to-face assessment at the Centre, a zoom appointment, or a telephone call with one of our assessing therapists.
This 30-60 minute appointment* will be with one of our more experienced therapists, they will talk through what it is that you are looking for support with, your availability for sessions, and will be able to tell you a little more about our services and what we might be able to offer you. We’ll also discuss our fee structure [which you can read about here], agree a per session fee with you and explore your preferences around face-to-face sessions, zoom or telephone.
Your assessment information is then reviewed and if we think we’re a good fit for what you need, we’ll match you with one of our therapists and will offer you a first full session. This process usually takes 4-8 weeks.
Your first session with your therapist will be a good opportunity to set out how you will work together. Your therapist will likely have a copy of your contract to talk through and agree with you – this covers important issues such as confidentiality and session attendance. They might also invite you to share any previous experiences of therapy you may have had, and your thoughts on what you’re hoping to achieve through working together. If you have any worries or questions about therapy or your therapist this is a good time to raise them. Your therapist will be happy to answer any question you may have and explore any worries.
At the end of this session, your therapist will likely check-in to see how the session felt for you and will ask if you wish to book further sessions and continue working together. And that’s all there is to it, the process could not be simpler. Our therapists are all accustomed to working with the broadest range of clients, and will work sensitively with the nerves and anxious feelings that often come up when starting therapy and will help you manage them so you can work together to meet your mental health and well-being needs.
* Initial assessment appointments cost £20. This fee will be refunded if we are unable to offer you sessions.
To book your assessment today simply use our online booking system.
If therapy doesn’t feel right for you at the moment, you might find our mindfulness classes offer you the support you need. Held weekly in our Yoga Studio, Kate Wixon offers meditations, gentle yoga based mindful movement, and education about living mindfully, again fees are kept low and start at £5. You can find out more and book a place here.