Frequently Asked Questions

Each session is 60 minutes and costs £120

Sessions are held online via Google Meet, or in person at my home in Killinghall, Harrogate. If you are local you are welcome to do a mix of the two. There is no difference in quality of therapy you receive, all I ask if you opt for therapy online is that you have space you can make yourself comfortable in and where you won’t be overheard.

All therapy starts weekly with the option of going fortnightly once we've established a good relationship and have some momentum to the change you want to see.

The honest answer is I don't know. Everyone is different and sessions are booked on a week to week basis. 3 months is good, 6 months is even better. You have the opportunity to continue for as long as you like and everyone has a different starting place, and a different point at which they want to finish therapy. We check in regularly along the way with how it's going and you are always in control of how many sessions you have.

I’m an integrative relational psychotherapist which means I use a range of modalities in our sessions but ultimately it's the trust between us that makes the difference to how therapy works. As part of my integrative approach I pull from Compassion Focused Therapy, Parts Work, Person Centred & Somatic Therapy. No two therapists who use the same modalities will work in the same way. For mums experiencing anger the important factors for therapy to work include:

- someone you feel you might be able to open up to

- a thorough knowledge of the systems at play in motherhood that keep women stuck

- an embedded awareness of the connection between body and mind (because anger is body based reaction not a thinking brain response)

- experience of working with trauma (this may or may not be relevant to you)

This is what I base all of my continual research and learning on so I can best support you in this modern world.

Absolutely, lots of people do. We simply start with what you’re experiencing and go from there. Therapy is a space to make sense of the thoughts and feelings that feel too big, too quiet or too messy to untangle alone.

No, you don’t need a diagnosis, label or be in crisis to start therapy. Though I often work with mums who have been diagnosed with postnatal depression/anxiety/rage.

If what you've read on my website or on my Instagram feels familiar, that’s enough.

Yes, I have a 48 hour notice period for cancellations. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours are not refundable. However, if we are able to reschedule within the same week I will simply transfer the payment to the new session time with no extra charge.

In instances where you need to cancel or rearrange appointments, you can email me at [email protected] or message me on 07595775237. Holidays or skipped sessions can be planned as we go and I will give you notice of any of my own holidays (which usually occur during school holidays).

Yes.

Frustratingly, 'counsellor' and 'psychotherapist' are still unprotected titles in the UK so legally anyone can call themselves a counsellor or therapist. However, to be eligible for insurance and membership with one of the professional bodies, (such as the NCPS that holds a register accredited by the Professional Standards Agency) a counsellor or psychotherapist have to be at least educated with a nationally recognised diploma and have an accredited supervisor to ensure they work ethically.

I am a member of the NCSP. You can check I'm registered here: https://www.search-ncps.com/search by typing in Claire Judd in to the search.

I hold a BSc in Psychology, and a Post Graduate Diploma (L7) in Counselling and Psychotherapy and continually keep updated with new research and training that I target specifically to maternal mental health.

These sessions are for you and I want you to be able to make the most of them. In an ideal world you would come by yourself. This means your attention is fully on yourself and our session, as I know only too well how our mind is programmed to attempt multi-tasking when in the presence of our children.

Having said that, we don't always live in the ideal world so if you have a young baby who is not yet mobile, they are welcome. Unfortunately moving infants take a good deal more attention and you may be much more considered in your language and your emotions around them. In this case, it's unlikely that you would be able to focus fully on yourself, therefore I ask that you make arrangements for them during our time together.

Not at all, many of my clients get to the point they’ve decided to start therapy and simply want to book a first session. The initial free call is a good option if you have questions that aren’t covered here or have a concern you’d like to discuss.

Head to my contact page here, where you can book either a free 15 minute call or your first session. It's all bookable online.