What is therapy?
A conversation with a trained professional, in a space that’s yours.
Therapy is a regular conversation with a trained professional, in a confidential space, about the things you’re finding hard. It isn’t advice, and it isn’t someone telling you what to do. It’s a place to think out loud, be heard, and work out what might help.
You don’t need a diagnosis, and you don’t need to be in crisis. Lots of people come simply because something doesn’t feel right and they want to understand it. What you say stays private, within limits we explain honestly at the start — the main one being where someone is at serious risk of harm.
Wanting support is normal. Asking for it is a strong thing to do, not a weak one.
What happens, step by step
From the first message to a planned ending.
Every journey is different, but here’s the shape most of them take.
- Step 01
You get in touch
A form, a call, or a referral from a school, GP or local authority. No diagnosis needed. We’ll tell you what happens in the first 48 hours.
- Step 02
We talk it through
A free, no-obligation conversation — around 20 minutes — about what’s going on and what might help. This isn’t therapy; it’s a conversation about whether and how we can.
- Step 03
Assessment
The first proper session. We explain what we ask, why we ask it, what we do with the answers, and who else (if anyone) we talk to.
- Step 04
We agree a plan together
Which approach — CBT, IPT, systemic, art therapy, a group — how often, roughly how many sessions, and what “better” would look like to you. Co-produced, written down, yours.
- Step 05
The work
What sessions are actually like. Progress isn’t linear, and it’s normal for things to feel harder before they feel easier. You can always say when something isn’t working.
- Step 06
We check in
Structured review points, with any outcome measures explained in plain English [TO CONFIRM which are used] and what they’re for. Changing course is normal.
- Step 07
Ending well, and what comes after
Planned endings, relapse-prevention, what you take with you, and how to come back if you need to.
Common questions
The things people usually want to know.
No. You can get in touch directly, and you don’t need a diagnosis. A school, GP or local authority can also refer you, but they don’t have to.
It depends on what’s going on. Some people come for a handful of sessions; others for longer. We agree a rough plan with you early on and review it together as we go.
Iris Mental Health Consultancy CIC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child and young person who takes part in our services. When delivering programmes in schools, we work in line with the school’s safeguarding and child-protection procedures, including reporting any concern promptly to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Our staff and volunteers are appropriately recruited, DBS-checked where required, trained in safeguarding, and expected to maintain clear professional boundaries. We work in accordance with relevant statutory guidance, including the Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children. If a child is in immediate danger, emergency services should be contacted on 999.
That’s allowed, and it’s more common than you’d think. Tell us, and we’ll try to put it right — including matching you with someone else. A good fit matters more than getting it right first time.
Yes, with honest limits. We keep what you tell us private and secure. The main exception is where someone is at serious risk of harm, where we have a duty to act.
Please ask. Iris Mental Health Consultancy CIC is a community based service that offers reduced-rate places may be available through hardship funding or commissioned pathways, and we’ll always be straight with you about cost before anything starts.
What the research says
Honest about the evidence.
Psychological therapy has a real evidence base — for example, cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety in young people is well supported. For other difficulties the evidence is more mixed, and no honest service would promise a fixed outcome.
Still not sure? That’s fine.
The first conversation is free and there’s no obligation. We can talk through whether therapy is right for you, and what the options are.