Frequently Asked Questions
Questions you might be holding
It is completely natural to have questions before reaching out, and we want you to feel as informed and comfortable as possible. If you cannot find what you are looking for here, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
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About Therapy
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Psychological therapy is a collaborative process in which you work with a trained therapist to explore and make sense of difficult experiences which may cause distress or limit wellbeing. At Ember Therapy, therapy is not about being told what to think or feel — it is about creating a safe, consistent space in which you can begin to understand yourself more deeply, process what has happened, and find a way to move through life with a little more ease.
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Confidentiality is a fundamental aspect of safe and effective therapy. Everything you share in our sessions will be kept strictly confidential.
There are a few legal and ethical exceptions to this confidentiality. These occur only when there is a serious and credible risk of significant harm to you or another person, or when we are legally required to take action. These situations are rare, and we will always strive to discuss any concerns with you directly before taking any action, provided it is safe to do so.
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All clinical records and personal data are securely stored in a practice management system that complies with GDPR requirements. This is in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Your information will never be shared with third parties without your explicit consent, except in the limited circumstances mentioned in the confidentiality section above.
You have the right to request access to the information we hold about you at any time; this is known as a Subject Access Request. Additionally, you can request that your information be corrected or, in certain cases, deleted. For full details on how your data is collected, stored, and used, please refer to the Ember Therapy Privacy Policy at the bottom of this page. If you have any questions about how your information is handled, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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There is no single answer to this. The length of therapy depends on the nature and complexity of your experience, your goals, and how things unfold as we work together. Some people find a focused course of six sessions helpful; others benefit from longer-term work over twelve or eighteen sessions or beyond. Your therapist will always review your progress together and make decisions about the length of your work collaboratively.
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You are always free to end therapy at any time. If you feel that therapy is no longer right for you or that you need a break, we ask that you let your therapist know so they can discuss it with you. Endings are an important part of the therapeutic process, and wherever possible, we would love the opportunity to bring our work to a considered and thoughtful close together. That said, we understand that this is not always possible, and your decision will always be respected without question.
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Absolutely. There is no right time to begin, and reaching out does not mean you have to commit to anything. The free 15-minute consultation is simply a chance to ask questions, get a feel for how we work, and decide whether this feels right for you. Many people find that just making contact is a meaningful first step, even if they are not yet ready to begin.
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Fees and Packages
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The 15-minute consultation call is complimentary. A single 60-minute therapy session is £120. An initial psychological assessment is £170 for 90 minutes. Session packages are available in 6, 12, and 18 sessions, each offering a discount on the single-session rate. Full fee details are available on the "Services & Fees" page.
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Ember Therapy is dedicated to making specialist psychological therapy accessible to everyone. We understand that the cost of private therapy can be a barrier for some individuals. To address this, we offer a limited number of concession-rate spots to those facing genuine financial hardship, including students, people on low incomes, and those currently unemployed.
If you feel a concession rate may apply to your circumstances, please reach out directly via the contact form or email hello@ember-therapy.co.uk.
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Ember Therapy is currently registering with major private health insurers. If you believe your insurance policy may cover your therapy, please reach out to us, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. It's a good idea to check with your insurer whether psychological therapy for perinatal loss is covered.
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Psychological therapy is available through the NHS, though waiting times can be lengthy, and specialist perinatal trauma support is not always available in every area. The most common route is through your GP, who can refer you to your local mental health services or to Talking Therapies.
For perinatal mental health specifically, many NHS Trusts have dedicated Perinatal Mental Health Teams which offer specialist support for those experiencing mental health difficulties in the context of pregnancy and the postnatal period. Your GP or midwife can refer you to these services. Additionally, some charities listed in the "Resources" section offer free counselling and support that does not require an NHS referral. If you are unsure where to start, your GP is always a good first point of contact.
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Practical Questions
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At present, all therapy at Ember Therapy is offered online via a secure, confidential video platform. Face-to-face sessions are not currently available; however, we hope to offer them in the near future.
If in-person therapy is important to you, please do get in touch, and we will let you know as soon as this becomes available. Many clients find that online therapy is just as effective and often more accessible than in-person therapy.
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No, you do not need a GP referral to access therapy at Ember Therapy. You are welcome to self-refer by contacting us through the contact form or by email. However, it may be worth informing your GP that you are accessing private psychological therapy, particularly if you are also receiving other NHS support.
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Ember Therapy requires at least 48 hours' notice for cancellations or rescheduling of sessions. If a session is cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice, the full session fee will be charged. We understand that life can be unpredictable and that unforeseen situations may arise. We strive to handle these circumstances with care and flexibility whenever possible.
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The free 15-minute consultation is an informal call; a chance for us to briefly connect before you commit to psychological therapy. We will talk about what brought you here and what you are looking for, and we will answer any questions you have about the process or how we work at Ember Therapy. At the end of the call, you are free to take your time before deciding whether to proceed.
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The first session is simply a space to begin; to share what has brought you to therapy, in whatever way feels right and at whatever pace feels manageable. There is no agenda, no script, and no pressure to have everything figured out. Your therapist will begin to get to know you and explore what you hope therapy might offer.
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Progress in therapy is not always linear, and it can sometimes feel harder before it feels easier, particularly when working with loss and trauma. Your therapist will review your progress regularly throughout your work together, using validated psychological questionnaire measures alongside open, honest conversation. If at any point therapy does not feel right or helpful, please let your therapist know so we can always adjust our approach.
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Support and Resources
There are several excellent UK-based charities and organisations offering support for perinatal loss. Below is a selection of those Ember Therapy would most recommend, covering different types of loss and support.
This section is particularly helpful when you see a loved one navigating perinatal loss.
Sands
The UK's leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity — helpline, peer support, and resources.
Tommy's
UK's largest pregnancy and baby loss charity — midwife helpline and resources for all types of loss.
Miscarriage Association
Helpline and resources for those affected by miscarriage, ectopic, or molar pregnancy.
Birth Trauma Association
Support and resources for anyone who has experienced a traumatic birth.
Child Bereavement UK
Support for families when a baby or child of any age dies — helpline and live chat.
Petals
Free specialist counselling for parents who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss.
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One of the most important things you can do is be present, without trying to fix, minimise, or rush their grief. Perinatal loss can feel invisible to those around it, and one of the most powerful gifts you can offer is acknowledgement. Say the baby's name if they had one. Ask how they are, and mean it. Do not avoid the subject out of fear of upsetting them; most bereaved parents want their loss to be recognised, not ignored.
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A common question we get asked is the offer of couples therapy. Ember Therapy is currently an individual therapy practice and does not offer couples therapy at this time — though we hope to offer it in the future. Where it is clinically appropriate, we can offer one or two ad hoc sessions with a partner. This would always be discussed and agreed on collaboratively.
Immediate Support
Perinatal loss can create thoughts and feelings that feel frightening or overwhelming — including thoughts of harming yourself or not wanting to be here. Please note that Ember Therapy is not a crisis service, and it would not be safe to use this website in an emergency.
If you are in immediate danger or feel you cannot keep yourself safe, contact one of the following services right now:
Emergency · Immediate Danger
Call: 999
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 for emergency services.
Available 24 hours, 7 days a week
Your GP
Contact your registered GP practice
For urgent mental health support, same-day appointments, or onward referral.
If it is out of hours, call 111 and select the mental health option.
Available 24 hours, 7 days a week
Your local A&E
If you feel unsafe, your nearest A&E can provide assessment and support. No appointment needed.
Find your nearest: nhs.uk
Available 24 hours, 7 days a week
Emotional support
Samaritans - Call: 116 123
Free, confidential listening for anyone experiencing distress or suicidal thoughts.
Available 24 hours, 7 days a week
Terms and Conditions
The “Terms and Conditions” for therapy at Ember Therapy are currently being finalised and will be available in due course. This covers important information about how we work together and your rights as a client.
If you would like to receive a copy in advance of your first session, please request one via the contact form or by emailing hello@ember-therapy.co.uk