What can I expect from therapy?
October 2024
A patient I saw a number of years ago had initially been very reluctant to come to therapy. They were going through a very complex time at work and found they were talking about this to everyone, even to complete strangers. They described themselves as ‘leaking all over the place.’ It left them feeling even more vulnerable because they felt they were turning narcissistic. Narcissists don’t often realise they are one, so we could quickly move on from this worry! This patient recognised they needed a completely confidential and open space to talk through their issue.
Your Psychologist or therapist plays a crucial role in mental health care by helping you understand and manage your emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. They provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore personal challenges, whether related to stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship issues.
Using various therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy or talk therapy, your Psychologist will guide you toward healthier coping mechanisms, improved emotional well-being, and personal growth.
When you come to therapy, you will be given space and complete unconditional support in those first sessions to establish this a non-judgemental relationship where you feel psychologically safe.
The Psychologist is not just listening, they are building a picture of you in their minds, they are helping to understand what makes you ‘you’. They are exploring what you are having to cope with now and linking it to things that may have happened before. This is called formulation, but I see it more of a roadmap to who you are. This is an important step because it helps to guide what type of therapy might be suggested and what interventions would be appropriate. All Psychology is based upon research, including therapeutic interventions.
In therapy, sessions can provide a space to explore different aspects of yourself—perhaps for the first time. You may not have taken time to reflect on your own needs, values, and meaningful actions, and how these influence the way you live and work. This is where Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be helpful, guiding you through these reflections.
On the other hand, you might need a more structured approach, like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which follows clinical guidelines to challenge unhelpful thoughts and change behaviour. For instance, if you’re dealing with a phobia, talking about it for 20 sessions without targeted exposure work is unlikely to help—clear, structured steps are essential. (there’s a spider in my office which has learnt to tolerate me and I him).
If emotional regulation or relationship struggles are your main challenges, Dialectic Behaviour Therapy (DBT) might offer the tools you need to manage difficult emotions. Or perhaps you’ve experienced deep trauma and could benefit from techniques like EMDR or schema therapy, which help reprocess painful memories.
These are just a few examples of therapeutic approaches. Our role is to help you find the right path—tailored to your specific needs—so you can move forward in a way that feels meaningful and effective.
As Psychologists, we build your roadmap and advise on the best approach for you.
Every therapy journey is different. What you can expect is a confidential safe space, where you feel safe and able to talk freely. What you can expect is someone to help make sense of what is going on with you at the moment, and then a suggested path of treatment based upon clinical research and understanding.
One of the best psychologists I ever worked with told me he’s not in this business to make people happier—he’s here to help people build resilience and cope better with whatever life throws at them. I’ve added my own perspective to this philosophy: really good therapy helps you realise there’s a way forward, with someone walking beside you to help figure that path out.
Dr Helen Ferris-Baker
Counselling and Occupational Psychologist
Specialisms: Work related mental health (burnout, stress, anxiety); relationship and personality issues; women’s health and fertility.
Dr Helen Ferris-Baker is a Chartered Occupational and Counselling Psychologist accredited by the BPS and HCPC.
As a Counselling Psychologist, Dr Ferris-Baker is trained across various therapeutic modalities, allowing work with patients in an integrative manner. By drawing on different models and approaches, therapy is tailored to meet each patient’s specific needs. As an Occupational Psychologist and Coach, Helen also provides insights into work-based behaviour and organisational culture.
With over 15 years of experience in mental health, Dr Ferris-Baker has worked across NHS and private sector mental health services, running behaviour change programs and collaborating with organisations to enhance employee well-being.
In therapeutic settings, Dr Ferris-Baker specialises in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), as well as work-based models of change. Therapy is centred on the relationship formed with patients, always approached in a compassion-focused manner. Dr Ferris-Baker works with patients in a short- to mid-term capacity, aiming to empower individuals to reach a point where they no longer need psychological input. Areas of specialisation include women’s mental health, fertility issues, and work-based mental health aspects.
At the London General Practice we screen for cancers individually or as part of one of our comprehensive health screens. Our genetic testing cancer panel can also help you understand if you have an increased genetic risk of developing any one of 57 hereditary cancer conditions.
Enquire now
Web Enquiry LGP: Web Enquiry
Phone: 020 7935 1000
Email: info@thelondongeneralpractice.com
The London General Practice offers a number of screening services. To find out more about all screening services available at The London General Practice click below.
