Improving Your Emotional Well Being
Your Well-Being Is in Good Hands
Have a particular life obstacle you’re trying to overcome? Sometimes, seeking help from a professional is the best way to put things into perspective. As a committed, professional Therapist in Boston Spa, your well-being and mental strength is my number one priority. I’m happy to guide you through all of life’s challenges with the attention and care you deserve.
Dare Amour is all about finding and channeling your inner you- your true self. It's all about loving yourself and being brave enough to live your life in the way you want.
Be Bold, Be Brave, Be You - Dare Amour!
Our Ethos
'You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.'
Brene Brown
About My Therapeutic Services
Guiding You to Start on a Path of Self-Healing
Counselling can offer you a safe, confidential place to talk about your life and any issues that might be confusing, painful or uncomfortable that you may need help dealing with.
You may be questioning yourself or feeling stuck and counselling will help you recognise potential areas where change may be needed and support you in making positive change at a pace appropriate to your needs.
I implement effective psychotherapy methods to instill self-understanding among clients and encourage them to adopt new attitudes and feelings towards life situations. It is essential to keep in mind that therapy is not a magic pill or a quick fix: therapy is a healing process that necessitates participation and investment from the client and therapist alike. But in the end, making small changes to self-defeating behavior and coping with feelings of sadness, fear, and pain can bring life-altering results.
I am an integrative therapist and will tailor your therapy to your specific needs. I can work with humanistic, CBT, psychodynamic , solution focused and psychosexual modalities.
My practice is highly inclusive and welcome clients from all backgrounds. I look forward to welcoming all people from the LGTBQIA+ community.
I will offer warmth, understanding, empathy and a non-judgemental approach in a relaxed and comfortable setting. If you prefer, we can take a walk as we work together along the banks of the beautiful River Wharfe as many people find the outdoor setting more therapeutic.
I am able to offer a number of different services alongside a confidential counselling service and offer both face to face and online appointments.
My private practice is based in an anonymous and confidential setting in Boston Spa. My practice is easily accessible from Leeds, Harrogate and York with a free car park within 1 minute walk.
I have accreditation with the NCS (National Counselling Society). For your peace of mind, I also have enhanced screening with a full and up to date DBS certificate.
Please telephone for further details and for an informal chat or if you would prefer, send me a text or an email and I will reply to you as soon as it is possible.
Get to Know Me
A little bit about me and the services I provide.
If you are reading this you are already thinking about us working together and I know that making a leap to organising a first appointment can be difficult and scary. However, I would urge you to start your change today and you can be assured that you will be treated with unconditional positive regard and warmth throughout your therapeutic intervention. I absolutely love my work and you will never be just a number on my patient list; building long lasting relationships were people feel valued and cared for is critical to the way I work.
I have faced my own therapeutic journey and healed from trauma and feel that this has given me more insight than any of my academic training and professional development.
As an integrative therapist I will tailor your therapy specifically to you and this may mean a range of different approaches such as psychodynamic, humanistic or CBT modalities. I am able to help you with a wide range of issues, concerns and provide a safe and support space for you to work through your experiences and difficulties and to explore possibilities, options and ways forward.
I have a special interest in sex, body image & self esteem, sexuality, gender and LGTBQIA+ issues as well as men's mental health including issues which may have developed as a result of active military service. I have experience in working with people suffering from the chronic condition, Lipoedema and the devastating impact this has emotionally and physically.
In my previous career, I was head of SEND (Special Educational Needs) and mental health of a large Multi Academy Trust and I am highly experienced in working with young people and adults who may have additional needs. I can support the emotional development of people with a wide range of needs, such as: people who are neuro diverse, people who have communication needs and young people who exhibit extreme behaviours and who may be at risk of exclusion from their academic setting.
In my personal life, I love animals. I have 3 beautiful dogs and 3 hairless sphynx cats who are working towards becoming therapy cats! I love getting outdoors and being in nature as much as I can.
I am able to offer a free of charge 15 min phone consultation to perspective clients if this may help you to make the first step towards a path of growth.
An initial appointment will give you an opportunity to meet me, discuss your expectations of counselling and ultimately see if I am the right therapist for you. I very much look forward to meeting you.
Katie x
A comprehensive but not exhaustive list of issues I can help you with.
Abortion, a wide range of addictions, anger management, bereavement, starting a new relationship, disability, dissociation, eating disorders, gender dysphoria, loneliness, low self esteem, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , self harm, sexual abuse, anxiety, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), Lipoedema , chronic illness, burnout and chronic stress, imposter syndrome,coping working in a toxic environment, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, infertility , issues arising from working in educational settings, LGBTQIA+ counselling, supporting trans women through image guidance, childhood trauma responses,low self-confidence, physical abuse, relationship problems, anxiety, overthinking, sexual problems, spirituality, trauma, kink and fetish, polyamory and sexuality.
I am also able to work within workplace settings to provide frameworks for mental health and wellbeing.
Accessibility
Committed to Your Needs
Accessibility: The therapy space at Dare Amour is accessed by 3 levels of stairs. Please do let us know if you have mobility issues and we will ensure that we can meet either on a lower level or at a more appropriate venue.
If you have any additional needs, We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to make your therapy more comfortable.
We operate a low arousal lighting policy in our therapy space which is calming and also more appropriate for people with sensory needs.
Inclusivity: Everyone is welcome at ‘Dare Amour’ and we are committed to ensuring all our clients feel welcome. We also are ‘Trans Allies’ and you will be made to feel particularly comfortable no matter what stage of transition you may be at. We are LGBTQIA+ allies, body positive, sex positive and kink friendly so be assured that your needs will be understood and met.
Additional Specialist Services
Walk and Talk Therapy
Focusing on your emotional wellbeing in the outdoors.
When people think about therapy, they often have an image of a small room, two chairs; or maybe a couch. However, it doesn’t need to be this way!
What is walking and talking therapy?
Basically, it means walking and talking during your therapy session rather than being in a clinical setting. Sitting with a therapist can be quite intense for some people and the substitution of face to face to walking side by side will make the client feel much more comfortable.
Despite being called ‘walking and talking therapy’, it doesn’t have to involve a large amount of walking. In fact, you don’t have to do very much walking at all! Sitting down, somewhere calm in nature can be very beneficial in itself.
Walk and talk therapy is part of the eco-psychotherapy umbrella, which is the combination of ‘ecology’ and ‘psychotherapy’.
What are the benefits of outdoor therapy?
There are wide range of benefits to being outdoors and in nature. It is possible that being in the outdoors can increase your wellbeing, reduce levels of depression, stress and anxiety, reduce anger and increase self esteem and confidence.
There are many patients that find it extremely difficult to talk and think when they are sitting still. When clients are able to move, they are more able to talk about their feelings and concerns.
How do outdoor therapy sessions work?
Before starting outdoor sessions, you will be invited for an initial online video or face to face consultation. Dare Amour’s therapy space is on the banks of the beautiful River Wharfe and there is a truly wonderful route that can be taken which would be accessible for most people. There are a number of benches overlooking the river in some more secluded areas that make a great therapy space too.
If you think that ‘Walk and Talk Therapy’ is for you, please don’t hesitate to contact me. If you wanted to bring your dog for emotional support, that would be great!
Mens Mental Health
Let's Talk About It
Very sadly, men are less likely to access the support that they need and the following statistics really are shocking.
Three times as many men as women die by suicide
Men aged 40 to 49 have the highest suicide rates in the UK
Men report lower levels of life satisfaction than women, according to the Government’s national well-being survey
Men are less likely to access therapies than women: only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies are for men
Men are far more likely than women to go missing, sleep rough, become dependent on alcohol and drugs.
Men often feel that they cannot talk about their emotions and this is often due to societies expectations and traditional gender roles. Due to this, many men will suffer in silence and often can find themselves spiralling into lower mood resulting in negative outcomes.
Working through your concerns and worries with a therapist can really make such a difference to your emotional well-being and there is absolutely no shame in working with a mental health professional. In fact, therapy can help you not only to process and work through issues, but will help you to become more self aware so that you are able to recognise the signs that your mood or behaviours are changing in the future.
Maybe you want to process something that has happened to you in the past? Maybe you are having difficulties with your work or finances? Maybe you are struggling with your relationships and don’t know how to begin to make it right? Maybe you’re not feeling great about your body image and it is having a big impact on your intimate relationships or confidence? Maybe you have found yourself drinking more than you usually do or turning to recreational drugs and need to make a change?
If this resonates with you, I would urge you to not suffer in silence and make an initial appointment to access support confidentially and make a positive change for a happier you.
Transgender Clients
Let Dare Amour support you through your transition and beyond!
It has been my absolute privilege to work with a number of trans male and trans female clients at different points of their transition and this is a special area of interest for me.
You may be at the beginning of your transition and need support to process your feelings about this and explore possibilities. You may be contemplating surgeries and want to discuss this further. Whatever you individual needs may be, we are able to offer a tailor made approach.
Be assured of a warm welcome from a therapist who has experience professionally and personally of the pathway that you are navigating.
We also offer a trans female image consultancy for those ladies who may need support in developing their look. This service can also involve home visits, shopping trips and collaborative work with trans friendly beauty therapists in a supportive and safe explorative capacity.
Issues of Intimacy
Don't Suffer In Silence
Finding that you have an issue of an intimate nature can be devastating and have such an impact on not only your self-esteem but also on the relationships with the people that you care about.
Often, when we find ourselves in that situation it is easy to hide from the problem and suffer in silence.
Reaching out to talk to someone is always difficult but it is likely that you will feel a sense of relief once the first session is out of the way. There aren’t many things that I haven’t come across before and I can assure you it won’t be uncomfortable or awkward- if fact most people remark on how easy it was!
I can work with you to help you overcome your issues in a sensitive and solution focused way in relation to a wide area of issues.
Sexual confidence and impact of body image on intimacy
Confusion around sexuality or preferences
Erectile Dysfunction
Premature Ejaculation
Sex and love addictions
Pornography addiction
Sexual phobias
Female dysfunctions
Intimacy after traumatic experiences
Reconnecting with a partner after a period of abstinence
Intimacy after serious illness
Polyamory – exploration and communication between partners
Kinks and fetishes that are having a negative impact
Due to the nature of this work, I will often work in a remote capacity, as I am sure you will be able to understand. I would respectfully request that potential clients book a first session to discuss their needs fully, preliminary phone calls of this nature will be for me to discuss possible treatment plans.
I am disheartened to have to state that the receipt of obscene phone calls and unsolicited media will always be reported to the police.
Self Esteem and Body Image
Love the skin you're in!
In today's society it almost feels that if you don't measure up to what the media portrays as perfect, you're left feeling not quite good enough! What we often forget is that all of us as individuals have great beauty that may come in many different forms.
It is a lie that only people who are perceived as 'perfect' (what ever that means!) only can have a wonderful and fulfilled life.
Many people have negative self talk that limits the way that we show up, interact and believe in our abilities and this can have a huge impact on all aspects of our lives.
Imagine feeling great about who you are and leaving all the worries and doubts behind.. what would you do with that headspace? Apply for the jobs you really want? Meet the partner of your dreams? Engage in closeness and intimacy with a person you care for? Attend activities and events without feeling inadequate? Look in the mirror and like what you see? I promise you that all of these things are possible with the correct mindset and therapeutic intervention.
Whether you are a man, a woman or non-binary everyone has times in their lives when they feel like they are ‘not enough’ and this may be for a range of different experiences and reasons. However, ask yourself the question; what am I basing this opinion on?
Work with me to look deeply into the triggers for your feelings of not being enough and to make a serious positive change in relation to your self perception.
Trust me, you’re AMAZING! Let's reveal your true self and eradicate that negative self talk that is holding you back.
Sometimes people's body image can become a problem that becomes all encompassing and may be a diagnosable condition that we can work together on to make significant positive changes.
Body Dsymorphic Disorder- BDD
Symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
You might have BDD if you:
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worry a lot about a specific area of your body (particularly your face)
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spend a lot of time comparing your looks with other people's
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look at yourself in mirrors a lot or avoid mirrors altogether
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go to a lot of effort to conceal flaws – for example, by spending a long time combing your hair, applying make-up or choosing clothes
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pick at your skin to make it "smooth"
We also work with transgender clients who may be struggling with body image issues which link to their gender dysphoria.
Helpful Information and Resources
Support For People With Autism and ADHD.
Working with ADHD clients and their families.
I have a wealth of experience in working with ADHD in a range of different educational settings as well as in therapeutic capacity. You may need some support in understanding your symptoms and need some techniques to help you to manage your daily life or it might be that you need some hands on executive functioning support to help you stay on track with life administration.Many people with ADHD will struggle with regulating emotions and this can be overwhelming and exhausting, so do reach out! It may be that you are a parent or a partner of a person with ADHD and need some help in coping with the demands that ADHD has on the relationship.
Working with people with Autism and their families.
I specialise in working with people who find social interaction difficult and support people to reduce social anxieties and develop their understanding of social cues. I am passionate about working with people to develop their social skills in the areas that they find difficult and find it incredibly rewarding.
I can support through:
Exploring social interactions and learning social techniques
Creating social scripts that can be utilised to develop social confidence
Reducing social anxieties
Helping people with Autism to date and find romantic relationships
Helping people with Autism to develop and maintain friendships more effectively
Supporting people with Autism in professional communication in the workplace
Lipoedema
Specialist Care From a Therapist Who Understands Your Condition.
The NHS describes Lipoedema as 'an abnormal build up of fat cells in your legs and sometimes arms. It can be painful and affect daily life' However, anyone who has devastating chronic condition will know that it's impact can have a huge effect on all aspects of your life.
Unfortunately, Lipoedema is a chronic illness and this means that you will have it all of your life. The very nature of Lipoedema causing enlarged limbs coupled with limited options about what can be done to improve the condition will often lead to psychological and social challenges.
Many women feel a great deal of shame and many health care professionals have limited knowledge about Lipoedema and because of this women are diagnosed with obesity. They are often told that they must lose weight and that their appearance and reducing mobility is due to their poor diet or lack of exercise. Lipoedema sufferers often go undiagnosed for years and as their condition progresses the shame cycle is reinforced over and over again.
Once women are diagnosed, it is likely that they will feel a sense of unjust, anger and disappointment that their condition has being left to get worse without appropriate medical intervention. Often women have spoken with a wide range of medical professionals before they get a diagnosis and have often had their concerns dismissed a number of times and often in the context of shame and blame.
Many women who have Lipoedema also have depression and anxiety. They often feel helpless and hopeless due to the lack of provision of care available. Many women have serious body image issues and often will stop engaging in activities that they loved and sometimes even limit the amount they leave the house.
Lipoedema can cause serious issues with intimacy which ultimately can factor in the decline of personal relationships.
Having the opportunity to talk through their feelings and to receive support can be of great benefit. Both the NHS Choices website and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as useful for people with long-term conditions such as lipoedema.
CBT Is a solution focused approach to treatment however, depending on each individual case we may tailor additional modalities such as a humanistic approach to suit your individual need.
If you are suffering with the psychological impact of Lipoedema please do get in contact so we can begin to work together to make a positive change for your emotional well-being and your ability to cope with this difficult chronic illness.
Feeling Stuck
Does it feel like everyone is moving forward with life but you're stuck in a rut?
We've all been there, let's face it. You know that something isn't right but you don't know what or maybe you know what but don't know what to do about it.
Everyone around you is getting promoted, doing well at work, getting married, having families, moving houses, having great holidays, getting qualifications or making other achievements or memories? Or maybe the world around you just doesn't seem to be what you want anymore...
Whatever age or stage of life you're at you may feel that you're living a lifestyle that isn't making you feel fulfilled or happy and need some help to find direction and a clear path forward.
We can offer time limited, solution focused support that will help you to understand what is holding you back and make a structured plan to move forward towards a happier life.
Pre and Post Surgery Support
Physical and Emotional Health Combined
It may be that you have had to face the realities of a serious illness or it may be that you have opted for surgery that are for aesthetic reasons. Whatever your circumstances, we can work together to prepare you on an emotional level for your surgery and provide additional emotional support that will aid your healing. Any surgical procedure can be very distressing, and it is very likely that you will experience a range of different emotions such as fear, anger and anxiety and it is possible that these can be mixed with feelings of excitement which can be confusing. These emotions can be very overwhelming, and it is good idea to talk these through with a therapist.
Pre- Surgery Emotional Support
As the date of a surgical procedure gets closer it is only natural that people’s anxieties will increase. When an illness is progressive or life limiting the wait for surgical intervention can also become a serious factor in the development of anxiety. It may be that you feel fearful for a range of reasons such as pain, the concern that the outcome may not be as desired, the use of certain medicines and the impact of these or maybe just the unknown. Often people find it difficult to talk through their fears with friends and family as they may be concerned that they may upset them, or they may have concerns that they look weak or should be stronger. We can talk through your fears and concerns in confidence and work together to explore all of the options that you have been offered and potential outcomes. We can also look at ways to help you manage your fears and expectations in a balanced and considered way.
Understanding What to Expect
The fear of the unknown is one of the most difficult things about a surgery. Not knowing what to expect is a serious stressor. We can work together to talk through your surgery plan and discuss the stages leading up to this and in some circumstances the actual procedure can be discussed giving you an opportunity to explore your feelings about each of the stages. Being emotionally prepared for your upcoming surgery will aid your recovery and support you to have the best possible outcome.
Post- Surgery Emotional Support
The recovery aspect of a surgery can often be the part of the process that is the most arduous. Quite often, people can have a heightened sense of anxiety linked to concerns about healing, levels of pain, speed of recovery or outcomes of the surgery itself. In some circumstances, surgery may mean that the body has changed significantly, and this has a huge impact on how you feel about your identity or gender. It may be that the limitations in mobility is having an impact of your frustration levels or ability to interact. Having the opportunity to discuss the outcome of your surgeries can help you to accept any changes that have occurred and process these effectively.
We can provide you with relaxation methods as well as cognitive and behavioural coping strategies that can prove to be extremely valuable after surgery as the healing process begins.
Working With Young People Therapeutically
You have to hand it to our teenagers, they've had a really rough time over the past few years. There is no wonder that so many of them are suffering with the emotional and mental health.
We work with young people over the age of 13 years therapeutically but are also able to offer bespoke support to parents who may be struggling with coping with challenging or disturbing behaviour.
I worked for many years with children with social, emotional and mental health issues as a Senior Leader, SENDCO (Special Education Needs and Disability Co-ordinator), Head of Mental Health and Behaviour in main stream settings and alternative provisions and the Youth Offending team. Whatever your young person is facing and however these issues are manifesting we can work together to make improvements.
What I can offer:
1:1 therapy for the young person
1:1 therapy for a parent
Psycho-education for teenagers to help them manage their emotions and learn strategies to help themselves
Bespoke strategy planning to support management of negative behaviours in the home environment
Support for the family in accessing provision through school and /or EHCP's.
Home Visits
If your young person is struggling with their mental and emotional health, do get in touch to discuss a pathway forward.
My fees for working with people under the age of 18 are £35 per 50mins.
Are Fees the same for all therapy?
Standard session fees: Per 50-minute session are currently offered at £50
Working with couples and thruples £55
Hospital and clinical referrals for collaborative physical and emotional for pre and post surgery support £50
Young people aged between 13-17 years £35
Student with valid Student ID Card: £45
Trans Women Image Consultancy: £45
Consultancy for ‘Mental Health and Well Being Services’ in schools and workplaces: To be agreed as per individual need.
Consultancy and training provision around gender diversity and sexuality in schools: To be agreed as per individual need.
Fees are reviewed annually, and any changes will take effect on the 1st of January.
How long does each therapy session last?
Each session lasts 50mins however, in some circumstances a double slot can be booked which would total 110mins.
Can the sessions take place outside of the therapy room?
I offer walking and talking therapy were we can meet outside for our session. My practice is based on the banks of the beautiful River Wharfe and some people find it less intense or easier to work outdoors. If you wanted to bring your dog along to support you- great!
I am able to make home visits if needed and this service can be offered on an individual basis for a small additional fee.
Due to the specialist nature of some of my work I see clients from all over the country and beyond. Your location is no issues as we can work together remotely using Zoom or Google meet.
Office Hours
New Patients Welcome
Mon - Thurs: 9am - 10pm
Friday - Sunday: On Call
Flexible hours available as per requirement.
What my Clients say....
Client Feedback
"I cannot put into words the difference that Katie has made to my life. As an abuse survivor, I had issues around certain body parts being touched. Katie was not only empathetic and supportive, but she also gave me strategies that I am now able to use in relations with my husband. Not once did I feel embarrassed, judged or silly explaining my difficulties. Katie made me feel very comfortable and provided a safe and open space to guide our conversation. I would recommend Katie to anyone who needs support. She is fantastic!"
August 2022
"I went to see Katie regarding issues around body image. The problem that I had was having such a negative impact on everything in my life. We worked together over 12 sessions and I can honestly say these sessions saved my marriage. The way I feel about myself has changed so much for the better that I feel happier than I have ever done. I was worried that seeing a female therapist might not be right for me as a male but Katie makes you feel comfortable talking about even the most embarrassing of issues. Thanks for making such a difference for me!"
July 2021
"I'm a trans woman and I was feeling very anxious about my transition. I had lots of different concerns that had become overwhelming and I recognised that I was becoming depressed and lonely. Katie was amazing from the first session, she makes you feel that you're chatting with someone who really cares and who passes no judgement. Not only did she help me reduce my anxieties but my confidence really has increased too. I am so grateful I met Katie when I did and I will never forget the difference she made for me."
September 2022
Our Client & Counsellor Contract
What to Expect
Agreement between……………………………………………………………. .……. and Katie Lane at Dare Amour.
Aim of Counselling: The aim of counselling is to provide you the client, with a confidential opportunity to explore personal and relational issues in safety. The therapist’s role is to help you through this process without judgement or telling you what to do. The therapist may on occasion give information or offer suggestions. During therapy, you may set goals agreed between client and therapist. The client agrees to work towards the agreed goals. If at any time the therapist feels that they can no longer help you, they will refer you to someone who may work in a specialised capacity or who is a medical professional.
Confidentiality: To ensure open exploration of the concerns that have brought you to therapy, your therapist will maintain confidentiality in accordance with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework for the Good Practice in Counselling & Psychotherapy (Code of Ethics)- see www.bacp.co.uk. We are bound by their Code of Ethics.
Under the same BACP Code of Ethics, we will Keep client records open brackets short summaries about what happens in each section close brackets we adhere to the Data Protection Act of 1998.
Your therapist receives regular supervision in accordance with the BACP code of ethics to provide the best possible service to you. Your therapist will abide by the same standards for confidentiality and will need to discuss their work by their supervisor from time to time. However, they will not disclose your name or anything that would enable you to be identified.
Exceptions to confidentiality: Your therapist may have to pass on any information to the relevant authorities in cases where human safety is concerned including the following cases:
If you friend to harm yourself or another person
If we believe a child or protected adults at risk of harm or abuse
If the courts instruct to give information
If you share information about our proposed act of terrorism or any other illegal act
If your counsellor feels either you or someone else is in danger or risk of harm, they would first endeavour to discuss this with you for their decision of breaking confidentiality. Depending on circumstances maybe or General practitioner (GP), the individual in danger, a social worker, and/or the police. However, your counsellor retains the right to break confidentiality without prior consultation should you should they consider the urgency of the situation requires them to act immediately to safeguard the physical safety of yourself or others.
In certain cases, you the client, may request that your therapist shares information concerning you in these cases I will require written permission from you before you can carry out your request.
Personal data: All personal data is processed in accordance with the right of Data Protection Act 1998 and the general data protection regulation GDPR 2018. GDPR is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union and the European Economic Area. The GDPR acts primarily to give control to citizens and residents over their personal data please find our privacy statement and ask to see our full privacy policy if you'd like to find out more. You will need to sign a consent form during your first session.
Sessions: Sessions last approximately 50 minutes and will be usually every week typically on the same day. However, this will be agreed at a mutually convenience time for both the therapist and the client. It is expected that the sessions will begin at the agreed time and any sessions that begin after this time cannot be extended beyond the agreed finishing time. If you do not arrive or call within the first 20minutes of the appointment, this will be considered as a cancellation and the therapist will not start the session on this day. Your therapist reserves the right to charge for a late cancellation.
Sessions may take place in a range of different ways, face to face, online, by telephone or home visit. Whilst every effort is taken to use secure platforms the therapist and client accept their own risk for this. Online or telephone sessions should never be recorded for confidentially purposes.
If I need to cancel an appointment, I will give you a minimum of 24 hours’ notice and would politely request that all client would do the same.
If you need to reschedule an appointment please call, text or WhatsApp me on 07538 544204 to organise this.
No shows: If for any reason you do not attend your appointment where no sufficient notice is given on your part, we reserve the right to treat this instance as an attended session at full price. In the event of a serious situation, please deal with this situation first and then contact me at the earliest convenient time and I will follow up with you within 24/48 hours of the missed appointment.
Contact between sessions: In instances where you need to contact your therapist in-between sessions this can be done via email, text, call or WhatsApp. However, if you needed to speak to someone immediately, please contact your GP, NHS Direct (111) or the Samaritans (116 123).
Number of sessions: It is recommended that you commit to 6 sessions before realistically evaluating the effectiveness of therapy. After this your contract can be renewed verbally for the addition of 4-6 sessions. Part of the review is to determine if more sessions are necessary.
We understand that your life circumstances may suddenly change. You may at any point desire or be obligated to discontinue therapy. Whatever the reasons, your therapist will respect your decision but ask that you give one weeks’ notice before finishing so that we can discuss your decision.
Session fees: Per 50-minute session are currently offered at £35 per session as an introductory rate. Fees will increase to the standard rate of £45 on 1st January 2023.
Student with valid Student ID Card: £30
Discretional Discounted Rate: £30
Trans Women Image Consultancy: £30
Consultancy for ‘Mental Health and Well Being Services’ in schools and workplaces: To be agreed as per individual need.
Fees are reviewed annually, and any changes will take effect on the 1st of January.
Accessibility: The therapy space at Dare Amour is accessed by 3 levels of steps. Please do let us know if you have mobility issues and we will ensure that we can meet either on a lower level or at a more appropriate venue.
If you have any additional needs, I am happy to make reasonable adjustments to make your therapy more comfortable.
We operate a low arousal lighting policy in our therapy space which is calming and also more appropriate for people with sensory needs.
Inclusivity: Everyone is welcome at ‘Dare Amour’ and we are committed to ensuring all our clients feel welcome. We also are ‘Trans Allies’ and you will be made to feel particularly comfortable no matter what stage of transition you may be at. We are LGBTQIA+ allies, body positive, sex positive and kink friendly so be assured that your needs will be understood and met.
Method of Payment: Preferred method of payment is cash at the beginning of the session. However, payment can also be made by bank transfer and the details will be shared with you at the point of payment.
Complaints: Should you wish to make a complaint about the service that you have been offered please discuss this with your therapist first so they can do all possible to resolve any issues. You can also complain to the BACP at www.bacp.co.uk