What is CBT?

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think, feel or behave. It has been proved to help treat a wide range of emotional and physical health conditions in adults, young people and children, and is commonly used to treat anxiety and depression.

How effective is CBT?

CBT has a wealth of research about its effectiveness as a psychological treatment and has numerous case studies which show it to be as effective as antidepressants for many types of depression and anxiety. For further information it’s useful to consult the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines which provide the latest information on mental health problems and the current psychological treatments.

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What happens in a therapy session?

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a collaborative therapy founded on goal setting and treatment planning. Together we will work out what therapy needs to concentrate on and will build an individual treatment plan based on the therapeutic goals. As therapy is individualized, no client is exactly the same and differences in the therapeutic approach and style will be required. You can expect to discuss your past, key relationships from childhood to present, your belief system and the rules from which you operate. All of these items will be explained, and although challenging, the pace of therapy will be guided by you. We will not go where you don’t want to travel, but when you do we can travel there together.

Will my therapist be qualified?

Yes, you therapist will be qualified and will have attained a Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Your therapist may also hold additional qualifications and will more often than not practice from an integrative approach. Which means the therapist is not ridged in using only CBT, but will draw from their training in different types of therapy to help provide the best possible individual treatment plan. Your therapist will happily share their qualifications with you and you can be assured that your therapist will be a member of the British Association of Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) and may also be a member of Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA).

Who is the right therapist for me?

All of our therapists are highly trained and professional people, but individual relationships are not necessarily based on skills and qualifications. As a therapy designed to challenge, CBT takes therapist selection seriously and asks clients to consider the meaning behind their preferences. Indeed, if you ask for a female therapist, it’s worthwhile considering what challenges would be presented if you worked with a male therapist and vice versa. Your autonomy in selecting a therapist will never be taken away and we will always provide the sex of therapist you wish to work with. However sometimes it helps for us to challenge what makes us feel uncomfortable. Your initial session is a great opportunity to explore and ask your therapist questions. We’re hopeful that you’ll find the experience valuable and will be able to form a relationship, but we encourage you to discuss any potential barriers with your therapist who will discuss your concerns in a professional and understanding manner.

How long does each session last?

Time boundaries will always be agreed between the client and therapist, but a typical session will last between 50-60 minutes. Longer session may be available and are charged at a pro rata rate.

How many session will I need?

Time boundaries will always be agreed between the client and therapist, but a typical session will last between 50-60 minutes. Longer session may be available and are charged at a pro rata rate.

How much does therapy cost?

Single Individual Session 50 Minutes: £60.00
Single Individual Session 90 Minutes: £85.00

Single Couples Sessions 50 Minutes: £65.00
Single Couples Session 90 Minutes: £95.00

Single Family Session (5 people max) 50 minutes: £65.00
Single Family Session (5 people max) 90 minutes: £95.00

Home visit fees are as per above, but a travel fee would be applicable and can be discussed by contacting us.

Can I get therapy for free?

As a professional service provider Empathy Rooms do not provide therapy for free as we do not currently receive external funding which would allow us to provide a free service. We would love to provide a free service to everyone as we passionately believe that mental health services should be open to everyone needing help, but our overheads and insurances don’t allow this to happen. Depending on your level of income, we will always consider a reduced fee for our service and encourage you to contact us if you would like to discuss a reduction. You will never be judged by us for asking and we understand that everyone’s circumstances our different.

Why do I need to pay if I miss a session?

If you miss an appointment with your therapist without giving 48 hours’ notice, the fee for the appointment is charged in full. This is because a cancelled appointment without notice is not easily filled and results in a financial loss for your therapist. All fees, cancellation policies and procedures will always be explained by your therapist and will form part of the contract you jointly enter and agree upon. It is at the discretion of your therapist to waive their fee for non-attendance and special consideration will always be given for mitigating circumstances.

Will my problems come back?

CBT is a therapy which works to position the client to become their own therapist by equipping them with specific methods which they can continually use to help prevent a problem from returning. Depending on life circumstances, future therapeutic sessions may be required, and indeed some clients choose to have the occasional future session to help maintain their progress. We believe that therapy is the starting point towards resolving problems, but recognise that therapy may not be involved 100% of the journey. Therapy will be the basis to guide you on your journey and can be used at any time in the future to help keep the journey on track.

Why do I need to sign a contract?

A therapeutic relationship is a serious relationship where the most intimate, embarrassing and secret parts of a person’s life can be shared and explored. This is a relationship which needs to be founded on trust, confidentiality and mutual agreement. When you enter into a therapeutic relationship, your therapist will fully explain the therapeutic contract which states what you can expect from your therapist and what is expected in return. The contract forms the basis of trust and understanding and is designed to offer you a clear vision.

Why do I need to do homework?

As part of therapy clients will be asked to engage in homework. This is an important part of therapy as it enables the client to apply the skills learned during each session into their daily life and encourages positive self-practice. Homework is a good way of getting the best value from therapy and extends the duration of each session from one hour to the full period between sessions. Homework will always be collaborative, explained and realistic. The therapist will always take into account the practicality or homework and the necessary support required to make it successful.

Do you have to tell my Doctor if I attend?

In most cases it is not necessary to discuss therapy with your doctor, but if you’re currently involved in therapy or psychiatric care then addition therapy should always be discussed with your current care provider before engagement. Likewise, if you’re on medication we recommend that you discuss therapy with your doctor before you commence. It is mandatory for you to provide your Doctors details during you assessment, but we would only contact your doctor if you were at risk of harming yourself or others, or if you specifically asked us in order to provide assistance.

Do you have to tell my family or employer if I attend?

Your confidentiality is of the utmost importance and we will never divulge you therapy records to anyone unless specifically required by law or if you posed a risk to yourself or someone else. In such cases we would always seek to discuss a required breach of confidentiality with you personally prior to action. Likewise, we will never disclose information to an insurance company, workplace or third party unless specifically requested by you personally.

Is my information kept confidential?

Confidentiality is essential in therapy and is considered a cornerstone of our profession which we take extremely seriously and is essential for building trust. However, confidentiality is not absolute, and there are exceptions which would require confidentiality to be broken. In the interests of public safety it is sometimes necessary for therapists to make referrals to agencies or organisations such as GP’s, police or social services when there is a serious risk of imminent harm to a client or to others. Where possible we would always aim to make such referrals with the client’s knowledge and consent, but this is not always possible and is determined by the type and level of risk.

Under certain circumstances, confidentiality may also be broken as a requirement of law due to client disclosures, for example, about terrorist activities. In such cases it can be a criminal offence for a therapist to “tip off” their client when such disclosures are required and may be referred without consent.

Where confidentiality is to be broken at the client’s request, for example, where a client asks for help concerning abuse or for court cases involving a claim for damages by the client, this should be discussed with your therapist in the first session and agreement should be reached about the limits of confidentiality and its handling.

At no point will your therapist engage in external communications with your GP, employer, partner, family, and friends or to any other agencies without your knowledge. Such communications would be considered an absolute breach of confidentiality and trust.

Your therapist is duty bound to keep your client records for a period of six years following the end of your therapy. Such records will be held in accordance with the data protection act 1998 and will be destroyed thereafter in accordance with current best practice.

Your therapist, and indeed all practising therapist will have a supervisor who they meet on a regularly basis to maintain a good ethical framework for healthy practice. During supervision your therapist is encouraged to discuss issues and problems which they may be experiencing in the course of their treatment with clients. At all times confidentiality is observed in supervision and your therapist will not discuss your personal details with their supervisor. All supervisors are equally held to the ethical principles of confidentiality and you can be assured that your confidentiality will be preserved at all times. Supervision is a necessary element of the therapeutic process for your therapist and helps ensure that the best level of care is being provided by your therapist.

Why does my therapist have a supervisor?

Your therapist, and indeed all practicing therapist will have a supervisor who they meet on a regularly basis to maintain a good ethical framework for healthy practice. During supervision your therapist is encouraged to discuss issues and problems which they may be experiencing in the course of their treatment with clients. At all times confidentiality is observed in supervision and your therapist will not discuss your personal details with their supervisor. All supervisors are equally held to the ethical principles of confidentiality and you can be assured that your confidentiality will be maintained at all times. Supervision is a necessary element of the therapeutic process for your therapist and helps ensure that the best level of care is being provided by your therapist.

how do I get to the Glasgow office?  

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Directions if Traveling West Bound on the M8

• From the M8 West bound take junction 18 and exit on the right for Charing Cross
• Continue to the traffic lights and keep in the right hand lane.
• Merge onto St Georges Road/ A804 and continue to the next traffic lights
• Go straight through the traffic lights until the next set of traffic lights and turn right onto Bath Street.
• Go straight through the next set of traffic lights onto Berkeley Street
• Continue along Berkeley Street until it bends right onto Claremont Street.
• At the traffic lights turn right onto Sauchiehall Street
• Continue along Sauchiehall street and veer into the left lane before the traffic lights (but after the bus lane)
• Just through the traffic lights turn first left onto Newton Place
• The Centre of Therapy is the 7th building on the row

Directions if Traveling East Bound on the M8

• From the M8 East bound take junction 18 for Glasgow City Centre
• Follow the sweeping bend right and veer into the left lane as you approach the traffic lights
• Turn left at the traffic lights onto Pitt Street
• Turn left at the next traffic lights onto St Vincent Street
• You will approach two sets on traffic lights.
• Go straight through the first set and then turn right at the second set onto North Street A804
• Continue to the next set of lights and turn left onto Berkeley Street
• Continue along Berkeley Street until it bends right onto Claremont Street.
• At the traffic lights turn right onto Sauchiehall Street
• Continue along Sauchiehall street and veer into the left lane before the traffic lights (but after the bus lane)
• Just through the traffic lights turn first left onto Newton Place
• The Centre of Therapy is the 7th building on the row

Directions if Traveling North on the M74

• From the M74 North bound take junction 1 for Kinning Park/Tradeston
• Veer left and turn left at the traffic lights onto Carnoustie Street.
• Veer left again and turn left at the next Traffic Lights onto Scotland Street
• Follow the road where it will bend left unto West Street
• Veer left as you approach the traffic lights and turn left onto the M8 East
• Follow the M8 over the Kingston Bridge and keep in the right lane sign posted Anderston/Charing Cross
• Veer left at Junction 18 onto North Street A804
• Go straight through the first set of traffic lights
• Continue to the next set of lights and turn left onto Berkeley Street
• Continue along Berkeley Street until it bends right onto Claremont Street.
• At the traffic lights turn right onto Sauchiehall Street
• Continue along Sauchiehall street and veer into the left lane before the traffic lights (but after the bus lane)
• Just through the traffic lights turn first left onto Newton Place
• The Centre of Therapy is the 7th building on the row

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The nearest train Station is Charing Cross which is a 6 minute walk away.

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The closest bus stop is “Before Woodside Crescent” on Sauchiehall Street and is facilitated by First Group, McGills Buses and Stagecoach. The Stop ID is 45232752

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Office 6, 48 Berkeley Street, Glasgow, G3 7DS

how do I get to the Stonehouse office?

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Directions if traveling east bound on the A71 from Strathaven Direction:

• Drive to the roundabout at the Esso petrol station. At the round about turn left, and then turn next left into Toftcombs Avenue. Drive straight forward past the play park on the left and number 22 is the house on the left. Pull into the drive and the office is directly in front of you. Please just walk in and take a seat in the reception area.

Directions if traveling west bound on the A71 – from Larkhall Direction:

• Drive along the Stonehouse bypass. Just before roundabout at the Esso petrol station turn right in Toftcombs Avenue. Drive straight forward past the play park on the left and number 22 is the house on the left. Pull into the drive and the office is directly in front of you. Please just walk in and take a seat in the reception area.

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The nearest Train Station is situated in Larkhall. A bus from Larkhall to Stonehouse would be required.

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Traveling from both the east or west directions the closest bus stops are located on Newfield Road and Strathaven Road. From there, the office is a short 5 minute walk

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22 Toftcombs Avenue, Stonehouse ML9 3QY