Flexible, not Flaky.
Life's busy, right? Juggling work, family, and everything else can make it tough to prioritize your well-being. At Choose Your Way, I totally get that. I believe therapy should fit around your life, not the other way around. That's why I'm committed to offering flexible options like "Walk and Talk" therapy, therapy in your home, and appointments that suit your schedule and energy.
But here's the thing: flexible doesn't mean fast and loose. I'm all about making therapy accessible and professional. It's about finding that sweet spot where you get the support you need, in a way that works for you, while still knowing everything's being handled ethically and responsibly.
What Does Flexibility Look Like at Choose Your Way?
For me, it's about:
Coming to you, in a way: Whether that's meeting for a "Walk and Talk" in a local park, providing support in the comfort of your own home, or simply offering appointments outside the 9-to-5, I aim to make the process as easy as possible.
Tailoring things a bit: I know everyone's different. Sometimes, sessions might need to be a little longer or shorter, or the frequency might need to shift. I'm happy to chat about how I can best meet your individual needs (within healthy boundaries, of course).
Being understanding: Things pop up – I get it. I'll always do my best to accommodate necessary changes to appointments.
What Flexibility *Definitely* Isn't:
Taking shortcuts with your privacy: In the therapy room, walking and talking, or meeting at your place, your confidentiality is a top priority. I stick to the BACP's ethical guidelines and GDPR data legislation to create that safe, secure space for you.
Being casual about professionalism: Flexible shouldn't mean sloppy. I maintain clear professional boundaries to ensure your therapy is effective and respectful. This includes things like keeping to session times, how I communicate, and making sure the setting is right for therapy.
Ignoring what's right and responsible: As a registered therapist, I have a responsibility to follow legal requirements (like GDPR for keeping your data safe) and ethical guidelines. They're there to protect you and make sure you receive the best possible care.
The Agreement: Keeping Us Both on the Same Page
To make sure everything's clear and supportive for both of us, I use a Therapeutic Coaching Agreement. Think of it as a roadmap for our work together. It covers:
All the practical stuff: Where we'll meet (especially important for "Walk and Talk" and home visits), how long sessions are, how we handle cancellations, and so on.
How I protect your information: I explain how I keep your data safe and private, following all the GDPR rules.
What we both expect: This helps us create a clear understanding of things like punctuality, how we'll work together, and how we'll communicate.
Keeping you safe and well: Especially important for "Walk and Talk" and therapy at home, where I think carefully about everyone's safety.
Why This Matters
You deserve therapy that's both effective and fits into your life. By being open about how I balance flexibility and professionalism, I hope to:
Build a strong, trusting relationship: You can relax, knowing you're in good hands, even when I'm doing things a little differently.
Make therapy work for you: Flexibility puts you in the driver's seat, making it easier to get the support you need consistently.
Give you peace of mind: You can be confident that I'm doing everything by the book, keeping you safe and ensuring you receive ethical care.
I truly believe you can have both – therapy that's adaptable to your life and delivered with the highest professional standards.
If you're curious about how Choose Your Way's flexible and ethical approach can empower you, let’s talk!