Your first session
During your first session you will be asked to complete an outcome questionnaire known as CORE (Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation). If you have difficulty filling in forms then your counsellor or psychotherapist will be happy to assist you or do this for you. The therapist will then explain what to expect and answer any questions you may have. You will be invited to talk about the your problems, your history, your needs and wishes, your personal life circumstances, the reasons that have led to the development of your difficulties and the way in which your current difficulties affect your life. The counsellor / psychotherapist will also ask what you hope to gain from therapy and you may wish to establish some therapy goals.The first appointment is not only about gathering information, but is also about coming to a better understanding of your difficulties. Following this appointment and an agreement that counselling or psychotherapy will be beneficial another appointment will be arranged at a time to suit you.
Not about couches
At Lewis Psychology CIC you certainly won’t be asked to lie on a couch and free associate while your therapist sits dropping in just the occasional remark. Nor is our therapy about delving into your unconscious and waiting for a fresh insight simply to bubble up. Instead, the insights you may experience during therapy at Lewis Psychology CIC will be the result of a far more active and collaborative process.
Indeed, modern forms of therapy tend to be a lot more interactive and to entail other activities during therapy than just talking about your particular issue. These activities may include exercises to try out at home or out in the real world. This allows you to try out some of the new skills you’ve been learning in therapy – skills related to methods of relaxation or mindfulness, or different ways of communicating with others, or a paper-based exercise designed to consolidate learning.
Number of sessions
Some issues can be helped in a relatively short time of up to six sessions and other issues may take longer. How many sessions you need depends on the nature, complexity and severity of your individual problems and circumstances however, it is always up to you how many sessions you attend and how frequently you attend
During your first session you will be asked to complete an outcome questionnaire known as CORE (Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation). If you have difficulty filling in forms then your counsellor or psychotherapist will be happy to assist you or do this for you. The therapist will then explain what to expect and answer any questions you may have. You will be invited to talk about the your problems, your history, your needs and wishes, your personal life circumstances, the reasons that have led to the development of your difficulties and the way in which your current difficulties affect your life. The counsellor / psychotherapist will also ask what you hope to gain from therapy and you may wish to establish some therapy goals.The first appointment is not only about gathering information, but is also about coming to a better understanding of your difficulties. Following this appointment and an agreement that counselling or psychotherapy will be beneficial another appointment will be arranged at a time to suit you.
A BACP accredited counselling and psychotherapy Service
Lewis Psychology CIC is the only counselling and psychotherapy service in Wolverhampton to gain service accreditation status with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). BACP Service Accreditation demands the highest standards of practice in the counselling and psychotherapy profession and is considered by many to be the highest honour in the field.
The BACP Service Accreditation helps the public and practitioners identify services providing a high standard of counselling and psychotherapy. It sets the standard to which all counselling and psychotherapy services can aspire to and demonstrates a commitment to excellence.
All our counsellors and psychotherapists abide by the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. All staff have completed verified
Theoretical approach
It is important not to get bogged down with the technicalities and theories behind different forms of therapy. CBT or cognitive behaviour therapy is an important part of our mix and we each use more than one approach to therapy. The beauty is that we can create a working style that is unique to you. Research has shown, time and time again, that the single most powerful factor in effective therapy is the relationship between client and therapist. We think that is something we do really well. We certainly don’t sit there silently waiting for you to speak, but take an active part in
Confidentiality
The content of your counselling / psychotherapy sessions are confidential, however in order to enhance the quality of therapy being offered to you, your therapist may discuss your case on a confidential basis with their clinical supervisor. Regular clinical supervision is a professional and ethical requirement of all counsellors and psychotherapists. This process maximises the therapist’s therapeutic effectiveness and ensures that professional and ethical standards are adhered to. If your counsellor / psychotherapist considers that you are at imminent risk of causing serious harm to yourself or others, they may seek additional assistance on your behalf or on the behalf of vulnerable others. Your therapist will talk to you about their concerns and endeavour to gain your consent before doing this. In the case of a disclosure concerning acts of terrorism or drug trafficking your counsellor / psychotherapist is legally obliged to break confidentiality and pass such disclosures onto the relevant authority.
Record Keeping
Your therapist will make brief notes after each session, the notes are securely stored using 256 bit bank grade encrypted security. Case notes can be accessed by your therapist and our data controller (Teresa Lewis). If we receive a court of law subpoena we are legally required to release your case notes.
Notes of sessions are kept separately from personal details in order to protect your anonymity and maintain confidentiality. Lewis Psychology CIC is a registered data controller with the Information Commissioner’s Office and all personal information is kept in accordance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidelines.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
All data is processed with the purpose of providing professional and ethical psychological health treatment including (but not exclusive to) counselling, psychotherapy, CBT and EMDR. In line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) we inform clients of the data we hold on them. The records we hold are:
- Name and contact details: Your address and contact details are used to contact you about your appointments only.
- Medication, health history, current health and disability issues: We request medication and health information to conduct an accurate assessment and develop an individual treatment plan.
- Notes on content of sessions: Your therapist will make brief notes after each session, the notes will be securely stored and you cannot be identified from them as your name will be omitted. Notes of sessions are kept separately from other data in order to protect your anonymity and maintain confidentiality. Case notes are accessed by your therapist and our data controller (Teresa Lewis).
- Questionnaires: From time to time your therapist will ask you to complete a brief assessment questionnaire known as CORE. No identifiable information forms part of this data. Your response on the questionnaire will help your therapist to understand: (1) More about the problems with which counselling is required to address (2) The problems that therapy is most effective in helping (3) The way in which the therapy can be improved.
Our data processor is Teresa Lewis who is also our Clinical Director.
All records are stored securely for a maximum of 7 years.
Access to records
All clients have the right to:
- request access to their medical records
- request that their records are transferred to another provider
- request that their data be deleted
- request that their data is corrected or supplemented
In respect to the points above please send all written request to: Teresa Lewis, Lewis Psychology CIC, Deansgate, 62-70 Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4TH. Please include your full name, address, date of birth, contact number and an email address, please ensure that this request is signed. If making a verbal request we will ask you to verify your identity via photo identification plus a utility bill or a bank statement. Our data controller, Teresa Lewis, may contact you to verify your details before the request is granted. In line with GDPR your request will be completed within 30 days.
Session fees
For more information regarding our pricing structure for self funding customers please click: Fees
If you are a HR manager or other third party referral agent please contact us on 01902 827808 for more information regarding our corporate pricing structure. Alternatively fill out our online contact form
Cancellation procedure
Your appointment is very important to us and it is reserved especially for you. We understand that sometimes appointments need changing; that unfortunately life can get in the way. Therefore we respectfully request a minimum of 48 hours notice for cancellations or rescheduled appointments.
Please understand that when you cancel your appointment without giving enough notice, we miss the opportunity to fill that appointment, which means that other clients miss the opportunity to receive our services.
We hope you understand our reasons for having the above policy in place but if you have any questions please contact us.
Age limit
Counselling and psychotherapy is available to everyone aged 18 and above. There is no upper age limit.
Childcare
We do not have the facilities to provide childcare.
Languages
All services are delivered in English only.
Home visits
We do not offer home visits.
Visitors with disabilities
Lewis Psychology can appreciate and respond to the needs of customers impacted by disability issues since the company itself reflects a myriad of skills, experiences, backgrounds and styles — all of which promote an environment of inclusion and respect for the many different people and cultures.
Lewis Psychology employ people impacted by disabilities as part of our dedication to meet our social objectives as a registered Community Interest Company (CIC).
Accessibility
- For our customers with a accessibility issues please use the rear car park as step free access is at the rear of the building.
- There are several dedicated disabled parking bays and an access ramp to the rear of the building.
- Doorways are widened and will allow access to most manual and electric mobility scooters.
- We also have dedicated toilets designed for access and use by the less able and those with disabilities.
- Assistance dogs are welcome.
Visitors with disabilities are advised to notify us of any special assistance you would like us to provide. Please inform us of any special requirements at the time of booking an appointment.
If you would like to view our disability strategy please contact us.
Do you offer online counselling or therapy?
Lewis Psychology CIC offer face to face services only. Our sister company, Lewis Psychology Online, specialise in the delivery of online counselling and therapy including:
Online Sessions are avaialble via Skype, Zoom or telephone. Please visit Lewis Psychology Online for further information.
