Frequently Asked Questions

Counselling is a talking therapy that involves a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to deal with emotional issues.

All Owen Freeman members, have either gone through on of the accepted training courses  or members of external associations that we accept membership from. Please see our associated members page to see our full list of excepted training facilities or accredited bodies https://owenfreeman.co.uk/associated-members

Owen Freeman Practitioners are trained to the highest levels in multiple therapy techniques. Since 1982 the founding practitioners have utilised the experience and emotions of their journey through life to develop their own personal wellbeing and pass the knowledge they have found onto others. Owen Freeman practitioners come from all walks of life giving them a greater understanding of possible issues clients may have. 

Each licensed Owen Freeman Practitioner has diploma level training in modern applied phycology. over 300 hours of training goes into this course so that our members can offer the best focus based talking therapies for their clients.

Our members are trained in multiple techniques. We take the best of all disciplines to create a truly effective process that can help our clients. 

Our members are trained in techniques taken from the below disciplines:

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

The aim of CBT is to help you explore and change how you think about your life, and free yourself from unhelpful patterns of behaviour.

Humanistic therapy is a mental health approach that emphasizes the importance of being your true self in order to lead the most fulfilling life. 

Behavioural activation is a talking therapy that aims to help people with depression take simple, practical steps towards enjoying life again.

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) IPT is a talking treatment that helps people with depression identify and address problems in their relationships with family, partners and friends.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)  help you focus on your thoughts and feelings as they happen, moment by moment.  MBCT is used to help prevent depression coming back, and to help some types of anxiety and stress.  MBCT combines mindfulness techniques like meditation and breathing exercises with cognitive therapy, which is about learning how to manage your thoughts and how they make you feel.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy looks at how childhood experiences and thoughts you're not aware of (your subconscious mind) affect your thinking, feelings, relationships and behaviour today.

Couple therapy can look at the dynamics of a relationship, working with both partners can help create a stronger lasting bond. 

Lets look at why you are on this page, reading this line and asking this question. Does the fact that the last time you sought help didn't work mean that you should stop trying?

There are many types of Talking Therapy and some are more suited to a client than others.

By trying a mixed approach your Practitioner can help guide you down a correct path for your specific need.

Yes and No, what you tell your Practitioner is confidential and will never be shared with anyone outside our organisation. Sometimes your session will be viewed and checked by a supervisor. Best practice means that we regularly check on sessions to make sure you are getting the best out of your practitioner, it is also a requirement for counselling bodies such as ourselves to do these checks.

If your crime was dealt with by the police and/or you was punished or imprisoned it will be regarded as confidential information. If the crime you are telling us about has not been discovered by the police then we have a legal obligation to inform them. If we believe you will harm yourself or others then we may break confidentiality in the pursuit to prevent harm and save lives.

Your details and notes are stored securely for 12 months before being destroyed. you may request all your notes and data we hold on you at any time unless removed from our systems.

We use  GoCardless which is ISO27001 certified for security and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. 

We use PayPal direct link. even if you do not use PayPal you can still pay with a debit or credit card with no fees.

That is a great step, please contact us today and we will set up your Introduction session.