Lyndsey Adderley MBACP – Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and Trauma Therapist

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens when I first contact you?

When you first get in touch, we will arrange a brief, 20-minute telephone consultation. This allows me to hear a little more about what’s going on for you, and gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. It is no obligation – if it feels I might not be be the best support for you, I am always happy to signpost you to other therapists/services I know and trust. My preference is always that you get the right support – not just my support.

What happens in the first therapy session?

Our first couple of sessions are mostly about getting to understand you and your story. From there, we will have a better idea of the direction we will go. We may discuss your family background, your current relationships, or anything specific that may have happened to you. Every therapeutic relationship is unique, so we will go in a direction that is tailored to you.

How do I know whether you’re the right therapist for me?

Therapy is most effective when the relationship feels like a good match. Ask yourself: Do you feel seen and respected? Can you be yourself, even a little? Does the therapist respond with empathy rather than judgment? These relational cues often matter more than the specific therapy model. If it does not feel I am the right therapist for you, I welcome feedback and will always provide you with alternative options if required.

How often do we meet?

My suggestion for most people is to begin weekly to establish a solid therapeutic relationship, and to reduce to fortnightly and then monthly over time, when it feels right. Of course, you might be restricted by circumstances and would only like fortnightly or monthly sessions from the beginning – this is also fine. Alternatively, if you’re in a particularly difficult patch, I am also able to offer twice-weekly sessions. At regular intervals I will check in with you about your experience, including the frequency of our sessions.

How long does therapy last?

This is not a prescriptive answer. You may find you feel sufficiently ‘better’ after 12 sessions, or you may require several years of sessions if your issues are longstanding or complex. Or, you may like the option of having ‘maintenance’ sessions permanently, to help keep you on track. We can discuss the length of your treatment in your initial consultation or in our first session, and as we go along.

Do I have to talk about my trauma?

You don’t have to talk about anything you want to. That’s not to say I wouldn’t gently encourage you to explore something that has impacted you, but I am a staunch believer in agency and autonomy and would never ‘force’ you to do something.

Do you offer online therapy?

At this time I work in-person only. My personal belief is that, although online therapy can be an excellent resource for many, for trauma and relational issues specifically, in-person sessions can offer an additional layer of connection.

Do you work with couples?

I do. I offer a small amount of couples slots in order to respect the additional considerations of the work.

Where are you based?

I work out of the two therapy practices I run, in Middlewich and Sandbach, Cheshire. I also offer home visits in the local area for those who would like in-person support but are unable to travel.

How much does therapy cost?

My sessions are £80 for 60 minute individual sessions and £130 for 75 minute couples sessions.

How do I cancel or rearrange an appointment?

To cancel or rearrange, contact me via text or email. All cancellations must be made with at least 24 hours notice to avoid a cancellation fee.

Is therapy confidential?

Therapy is confidential. I have trained in pre-trial therapy and have experience of working with safeguarding issues and I’m very familiar with what is, and what is not, required to break confidentiality. I will not willingly hand over notes or information, unless it is court ordered. I will not jump straight to reporting if you let me know you’re experiencing scary thoughts. I will endeavour to discuss with you if I need to break confidentiality, but it is something I am particularly protective of.

What if I don’t know what’s wrong?

Many people aren’t sure to how to describe what it is that doesn’t feel right. That’s absolutely fine and completely understandable. We will explore what you might be experiencing and try and figure it out together.