What can psychotherapy do?
Often called the 'talking cure', psychotherapy can help a wide range of emotional problems and distress:
- episodes of depression or anxiety
- family or relationship difficulties
- sexual difficulties
- eating disorders
- problems with alcohol and drugs
- traumatic events such as abusive experiences, accidents, severe illness, and criminal attack
- long-term general unhappiness
- bereavement
- lack of self-confidence, low self-esteem
- chronic feelings of meaninglessness or disappointment
- difficulties with transitions, eg redundancy, marriage break up, children leaving home.
What type of psychotherapy is offered by the CSP?
The therapy offered by the CSP is based on the idea that current distress often has its origins in the events of early life, when typical patterns of coping and relating are established. It aims to undo painful symptoms and unhelpful patterns of behaviour by understanding how they arose and why they may no longer be needed. The connections between past and present are complex and it is unusual to be fully aware of them. As trust develops between patient and therapist, they can be explored and understood. The aim is to arrive at more creative and less painful ways of living.
Yes, if you are:
An initial meeting with a therapist will allow you to explore whether it is the right course for you.
The therapy aims to move at the right pace for each person.
Patient and therapist meet weekly, or more frequently, for 50 minute sessions. The length of treatment can be fixed or open ended. It can last for anything from a few months to a few years.
Most members of the CSP charge £20-£35 per session.
Low-cost therapy (£5-£15 per session) can occasionally be arranged. This is often with a trainee, whose work is closely supervised. An initial meeting with an experienced therapist will be necessary to decide whether this is suitable.
The Society may be reached
by phone on:
Please leave a message on this number. If possible, you will be contacted within 24 hours by a member of the Society who will arrange for either a direct referral to an experienced member or a preliminary meeting prior to referral to a trainee.
GPs considering referring a patient for psychotherapy should contact the same number. Your call will be returned by an experienced therapist who will discuss the possibilities with you and, if wished, arrange for your patient to be seen.
Alternatively, please write to:
or email:
Will it be suitable for me?
How long does it take?
How much does it cost?
How do I find a therapist?
01223 510229
The Referral Secretary
PO Box 620
Cambridge
CB1 0GX