What you need to know and do
Developmental disorders
We understand how difficult it can be to live in the world at the best of times for any of us can struggle with me take for granted such as communication, awareness and relationships. Those with conditions on the autism spectrum find things so much harder and that is why finding the right approach to therapy even more important. Up until the 1970s, autisim was considered a form of schizophrenia.
Registering
You must first complete the registration form before we can offer you an appointment. This can be found in the preceding section. We will contact you as soon as this is received to discuss your requirements.
Arranging your first appointment
Depending on how you found us, you must agree on a date and time for your appointment. You will be offered an initial assessment date and time as soon as we contact you following registration. You have 24 hours to review the suitability and confirm by making payment for the appointment booking. This can be found in the preceding section. Your appointment will be released if you do not confirm within 24 hours.
I have made the booking what is next?
Once you have completed the preceding steps, you will be emailed some forms to complete prior to your initial appointment. There is also information on how to get here, parking, and other important details.
You must respond to the email sent to you in order for your therapist to confirm your attendance.
Deposits
We ask that you pay a £30.00 deposit at the second session, which will be held on your account and used towards your final appointment in the future. This will be held if you miss an appointment in the future that is not covered by the cancellation policy or if you decide not to continue without first consulting with your therapist. Because the end of therapy is an important part of the process, we encourage agreed-upon endings. Because this is non-refundable, please ensure that you are willing to commit to therapy.
What about relationship and marriage therapy
If you have booked marriage and relationship therapy, you will be provided with all the information on what to do on the first appointment. The initial assessment is with the couple. Session 2 is the follow-on assessment with one of you and then session 3 will be with the remaining partner. From here if suitable you will commence your therapy as a couple.
Attending for the first time
What should I bring with me?
You are welcome to bring a notebook and water, or we can provide chilled sparkling water at no additional cost.
Can I bring someone with me?
Please do not bring anyone else to your appointment unless agreed upon with your therapist or, in the case of children and young people, with their parents.
On the day of your initial appointment
Depending on the instructions that have been sent to you on the confirmation email you should arrive for your appointment on the time stated and not earlier. If you are running late or unable to attend do contact the clinic so we can advise you on what to do.
What if I cannot make my appointment or I have changed my mind?
As soon as you have made your booking our cancellation policy applies. Full details of this can be found on the website. We require 48 hours’ notice to cancel an appointment, or the full fee will be charged.
What happens after my inital appointment
Your first appointment will be an assessment in which you will be able to discuss your concerns with the therapist and agree on the level of support you believe you require. As a result, we will be able to provide solutions and appropriate interventions. If this is deemed appropriate, you will be given the option of scheduling additional appointments. Prior to scheduling additional sessions, we will require you to sign a therapy agreement. This is usually completed during the second or third session.
Thank you for reading this information page and agreeing to make a start in therapy.
Once submitted, your pre-therapy paperwork will be emailed to you for completion and return, along with any additional information you will require to get started. In the meantime, please call the office at 01476 575933 if you have any questions.