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Frequently
Asked
Questions
What is a Chartered Psychologist and is it worth paying to see one?!
Chartered Psychologists work to improve wellbeing, basing everything we do upon scientific evidence. The term "Chartered Psychologist" is legally recognised and means a Psychologist has been assessed to the highest standards and is permitted to practice independently. We are regulated by the British Psychological Society and the following webpage allows members of the public to check that a Psychologist is listed as Chartered: https://www.bps.org.uk/lists/cpsychol I am also registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council, as is required in the UK. Their register can be checked here: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/
Psychologists are trained to deal with a wide variety of issues – rather than specialise in one area. We’re not Counsellors or Coaches. Counsellors are trained to listen and focus on the past, Coaches are trained to help with your goals and focus on the future. Psychologists can help you with all of that – plus much more besides. Unlike the medical profession and Psychiatrists, we don’t prescribe medication with its side effects and risk of dependency, as medication doesn’t solve or remove your problems – it only masks them.
…We aim to help you make changes and achieve long-term improvements in the way you think.
Problems are complex and your personality is complex. No-one’s problems are down to one single issue that needs addressing, and no-one has one neat personality trait that needs to be the focus. Chartered Psychologists are trained to help you untangle all that you have going on in your life and mind.
As a Chartered Psychologist I can help you make the most of taking time out of your daily life to focus upon 'you'. We'll work together with the aim of changing your thinking habits, improving your mindset, your mood, personal and professional life, relationships, levels of productivity, how you think about yourself and much more.
How many sessions will I need?
There's no set answer as everyone is different. However, most people prefer to have a minimum of 3 or 4 sessions before considering how much further they would like to carry on. The decision as to how many sessions you ultimately have is entirely yours. I’ll of course aim to help you get something productive out of each and every session, regardless of how many you plan to have. Some clients view their sessions as something they’ll do for a brief period in their lives – and then they’ll move on. Others prefer to have someone help them over longer time. Others like to keep dipping back in order to maintain their good mental health once they’ve achieved it. The decision is yours, you won’t be pressured into having more sessions than you feel necessary.
I’ve never seen a Psychologist before and I’m feeling apprehensive! Can you reassure me?
Most clients feel my sessions are just like having a really useful chat! Please don’t worry. You only need to tell me what you want to tell me. After the first few minutes your apprehension will have gone and you’ll be able to focus upon what you need to, rather than worrying about what seeing a Psychologist will be like! It’s understandable to feel like that as it’s a new thing to a lot of people, so you’re not on your own if you feel anxious. Your sessions shouldn’t be something to worry about. Many more people see Psychologists than you probably realise, and they come from all walks of life and professions, so don’t feel it’s anything unusual.
As people often try to hide their weak points from others – it may look to you like everyone else around you is coping and you’re the only one who needs this help. However, often the people who appear the strongest are strong because they’ve already had help with their mental health and mindset strategies.
How long is each session and how can I ‘see’ you?
Each individual session is 45 minutes long. Small group workshops for organisations are 90 minutes long. These can take place via Teams or Skype. I know some people are uncomfortable with video calls – so for 1-to-1s I also offer the option of sessions taking place by telephone. By running sessions in these ways, you can access my services from wherever you are, you don’t need to be local to me. For you there’s no added stress of travelling to a session, or needing to take extra time out to travel. It’s easy to fit sessions in when you’re busy. They can take place from wherever you feel most comfortable, whether that be home, work, or anywhere else. And can carry on if you’re away on holiday or for business.
How quickly will I see a change?
From the first step you take towards changing things – you’ll notice a difference. Small but carefully chosen changes to your thought patterns, habits and behaviours – can have a huge impact. Replacing old unhelpful thinking habits with new more positive and constructive responses is one of the most important changes we can make. After you’ve spent a lifetime building your existing thinking habits, it can take a bit of work – but even the smallest of tweaks can go a long way. This can happen relatively quickly…
By opting to arrange sessions with a Psychologist yourself, there'll be no long waiting lists as with referrals to an NHS Counsellor. You can choose the number of sessions you have and the pace at which we work. If you’d like to have sessions in quick succession, getting you to a better place as soon as possible, we can do that. But equally, if you’d prefer to take things slower, that’s also fine.
Of course whilst I can help and advise you – the bulk of the work is down to you, and the speed at which you see a change is also down to you! If you want things to be better or even simply different – you have to put in the work in real situations in your life. You have to be prepared after a session to go and make real changes in how you think and how you approach life on a daily basis.
Also by choosing a Psychologist yourself who you think is right for you, you will most likely speed up the process of change for yourself. WIth an NHS referral, you are not able to make this choice.
Will everything I say be kept confidential and/or will it go on my NHS medical record?
As a private service, paid for by yourself - your sessions with me will not be entered onto your NHS medical record. Everything you say will be kept strictly confidential. Chartered Psychologists have to abide by strict rules of client confidentiality.
An exception to this would be that if I felt you were a danger either to yourself or to others - then I would have a duty to act and report it to the relevant authorities, in order to safeguard everyone concerned.
What kind of things can you help with?
Over the years I’ve worked to help clients with a wide range of professional and personal issues. Many of these affect both a person’s work and home lives. There are more examples on the 'One-to-ones' and 'Workshops' pages of this website. Examples include:
Stress
Anxiety
Resilience
Ill health
Parenting stresses
Work related burnout
Career decisions
Work-life balance
Coping with change
Adjusting after relocating
Bereavement
Confidence
Self-esteem
Motivation
Handling difficult conversations
Dietary change / Weight loss
+ Lots of others!
How do I book?
Please get in touch by either:
- emailing drcatherinetregoning@gmail.com
- using the 'Contact' page on this website
Due to my work meaning I’m often on calls with clients and so unable to answer the phone – messaging is my preferred method of contact please.
My office hours are Mon-Fri and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.
Once a time has been agreed you will then receive a Paypal invoice. If you do not have a Paypal account, you will still be able to pay via Paypal using a debit or credit card as a 'Guest'. In order to confirm your booking, payment must be received within 48 hours AND in advance of the 1-to-1 session or workshop taking place.