Taking the first step
Reaching out for therapy can feel daunting, especially if it’s your first time. At The Birch Clinic, we aim to make the process as simple, supportive, and transparent as possible.
- Initial enquiry
- You can contact us via email or through the contact form. We will always aim to respond within 2 working days to answer any questions and support you to set up a consultation or first appointment.
- First session
- Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other. We’ll talk about what’s brought you here, the difficulties you’re having, and your hopes for therapy. This session also allows you to decide whether this feels right for you.
- Therapy Plan
- Together, we will think about what you’d like to work on. We will suggest an approach (or combination of approaches) that might be helpful – for example, CBT, EMDR or compassion-focused therapy. We’ll also decide a pace and structure that feels manageable for you. Sessions are available online or face to face dependent on availability.
- Ongoing sessions
- Therapy sessions are 50 minutes long, usually weekly or fortnightly. Some people prefer a focused, short-term piece of work (6-12 sessions), while others benefit from medium or longer-term therapy. We keep this flexible, checking in regularly and making sure that therapy is meeting your needs.
- Ending and moving forwards
- When you feel ready to end therapy, we’ll plan this together. Some people choose to have occasional check-ins afterwards, while others use the tools they’ve gained and move forward with greater confidence.
The Birch clinic 