Your journey from assessment to recovery

Starting therapy can feel daunting, but I'm here to make the process as straightforward and comfortable as possible. Here's what you can expect when working with me.

Step 1: Get In Touch

The first step is simply getting in touch.

You can book an initial assessment by clicking the link below and choosing a date which works for you.

I know reaching out can feel vulnerable, but it's the most important step towards feeling better.

Step 2: Assessment PhasE

You will be offered an initial assessment before a therapy treatment plan is created. Usually, the assessment phase will be completed over 2 x 50-minute sessions.

What are initial assessments?

Initial assessments are a great way for us to develop a shared understanding of your mental health difficulties, what factors are maintaining the problem, and most importantly, identify the area you would like to target to work on in therapy. This is called a 'formulation'.

What's involved:

A variety of planned, structured, and systematic approaches are used, including:

  • Discussion about what's brought you to therapy

  • Exploration of your difficulties and how they affect your life

  • Questionnaires relating to common mental health difficulties

  • Identifying your therapy goals

  • Creating a formulation together

Finding the right match:

Once we have identified the target for treatment and your therapy goals, I will ensure that my skills as a psychotherapist in CBT and EMDR are the right match for your treatment needs.

If this is the case, and you would also like to work with me, then we will consider a treatment plan.

What happens next:

There may be a wait between initial assessment and weekly sessions whilst we find a time slot that suits for us to work together.

Find A Time that Works For You
Kat Cuthbert EMDR & CBT Therapist BABCP Accredited, smiling, seated at a wooden table with a laptop, notebooks, and a cup of coffee, in a room with large green plants and stone flooring.

Once we've completed your assessment and agreed on a treatment plan, we'll begin regular therapy sessions.

Session duration:

  • CBT sessions: 50 minutes

  • EMDR sessions: 60-90 minutes

I reserve the right to amend session times for therapeutic reasons.

Treatment length:

Treatment will vary depending on the provisional diagnosis identified and treatment plan, in accordance with evidence-based recommendations.

Typically, therapy is usually around 12-16 sessions. However, we may need less, or require more sessions, based on your individual presentation.

Progress review:

I would encourage us to review how therapy is progressing and feeling for you at around session 6 to ensure it continues to feel like a useful and suitable match. 

Step 3: Beginning Treatment

Review The Different Therapies
Kat Cuthbert EMDR & CBT Therapist BABCP Accredited sitting at a wooden table with an open laptop and stacked books, holding a cup of coffee or tea, smiling in front of a green plant wall.

A Typical Session Structure

Sessions will usually follow a similar pattern:

  1. Agenda setting - Deciding what we'll focus on today

  2. Brief check-in - How you are and how the week has been

  3. Review of questionnaires - Tracking your progress

  4. Review of home tasks - Discussing any tasks set between sessions

  5. Reflection on the formulation - Understanding your difficulties

  6. Testing out new skills - Practicing techniques and strategies

  7. Agree on home practice tasks - Setting collaborative tasks for the week

  8. Summary of the session - Reviewing what we covered

This structure ensures we make the most of our time together and maintain focus on your goals.

Working Between
Sessions

Working on tasks in-between sessions has been shown to increase the effectiveness of therapy.

What are between-session tasks?

These are practical exercises, strategies, or reflections that we agree on collaboratively during our sessions. They help you:

  • Practice new skills in real-life situations

  • Build on what we've discussed in therapy

  • Maintain momentum in your recovery

  • Apply techniques to your daily life

Collaborative approach:

Tasks will be agreed together and will vary depending on:

  • The course of therapy provided

  • Your individual circumstances

  • What feels manageable for you

  • Your therapy goals

There's no "homework" that feels like school - these are practical, meaningful activities designed specifically for your recovery.

Kat Cuthbert EMDR & CBT Therapist BABCP Accredited wearing a sleeveless navy top and a white shirt, sitting on rocks, writing in a notebook with a pen during sunset.

How We’ll Meet

The preferred method is Microsoft Teams as an encrypted server to ensure your information is kept safe and confidential.

How it works:

  • Your session invitation will be sent out to you via email

  • Click the link at your appointment time to join

  • Please check your spam folder for the session invitation if you don't see it in your inbox

What you'll need:

  • A device with camera and microphone (laptop, tablet, or smartphone)

  • Stable internet connection

  • A private, quiet space where you won't be interrupted

  • Headphones (recommended for privacy)

Benefits of online therapy:

  • Access therapy from the comfort of your own home

  • No travel time or costs

  • Greater flexibility with scheduling

  • Privacy and convenience

Book an Initial Assessment