Karen Hastings

What happens at the consultation session?

 The session lasts for 30 minutes and is free of charge.  I use this time to talk through with you what you would like to achieve from therapy and advise on how you may achieve this.  It also gives you the opportunity to ask me any questions about how I work.  I will then talk through treatment options and what I feel will be the most effective way of you achieving your aims.  Sometimes, this may involve me advising on other options, that I dont offer.  At this point you can decide whether you would like to begin working with me, or you can have time to think about this.  Your first treatment session will usually begin the following week.

Where do sessions take place

I work from home and session takes place at Viewforth Square, Edinburgh, EH10 4LP.  I live in a top floor apartment, so please advise me if you have mobility problems, so that we can make alternative arrangments for a meeting place.  I also have a cat Toby, who likes to sit in on sessions!  Let me know if you have a cat allergy or if you dont like cats, so that I can make sure he is not around.

How long do the sessions last for?

Therapy sessions last for 55 minutes.

Is what I tell you confidential?

I am bound by a strict code of ethics, with clear guidelines for confidentiality, by both the HPC and BAOT.   All information is treated in the strictest of confidence. The only time I would have a professional obligation to share information with releveant professionals, is if I am concerned that you are a risk to yourself or others.

What should I expect from the therapist?

I am friendly, warm and down-to-earth.  My sessions are practical and you will learn tools for self-help.

How many sessions will I need?

This will depend on the presenting problem that you start with. People can get results in 2-3 sessions, particularly with NLP.  For other more complex or long-standing problems that require a CBT approach, we will agree on a certain number of sessions, which will be reviewed at regular intervals.  Most courses of CBT therapy last from 5 to 12 sessions. Throughout the therapy you will be working towards specific goals and towards becoming competent at developing the life-long skills to support yourself.

You will get out of therapy what you put in. If you are motivated to experience change in your life, then you will see changes more rapidly.

The types of changes that take place obviously depend on the individual’s unique starting point. General outcomes of therapy include:
•      Learning to exercise more control over your emotional and psychological states.
•      Developing more options in your thinking and behaviour

•      Developing skills in how you communicate and relate to the world.
•      Being free of emotional distress arising from past events.

You will find that your self-esteem, confidence, effectiveness at work, enjoyment of relationships and motivation to work towards goals is enhanced.

 How often do I need to come along?

I usually see clients once weekly to begin with and then once you are learning and practising self-help strategies, sessions are spaced further apart.  Sometimes people prefer to come fortnightly due to time and financial constraints.   I will work with you within your budget and availability.

How Do I Pay?

Payment is by cheque, cash or credit card via Paypal.  You can “Pay as You Go” or block book six sessions for a further discount.  Email and Telephone therapy sessions are payable in advance of the session.  For Pay as you go sessions, payment is made in advance of each session.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you are unable to attend your session for any reason, please provide at least 24 hours notice to avoid attracting a cancellation charge  (session fee).  Therapist may waiver this charge at her discretion.  Cancellations with more then 24 hours notice are not charged.

Areas Covered?

Abbeyhilll •  Alnwickhill • Ardmillan • Baberton • Balerno • Balgreen • Bankhead • Barnton • Beechmount • Bingham • Blackford • Blackhall • Bonaly • Bonnington • Burghmuirhead • Braepark • Braid Hills • Broomhouse • Broughton • Brunstane • Bruntsfield • Bughtlin • Burdiehouse • The Calders • Calton Hill • Cameron Toll • Cammo • Canongate • Canonmills • Chesser • Church Hill • Clermiston • Clerwood • Colinton • Comely Bank • Comiston • Corstorphine • Cowgate • Craigcrook • Craigentinny • Craigleith • Craiglockhart • Craigmillar • Cramond • Crewe Toll • Currie • Curriehill • Dalmeny • Dalmahoy • Dalry • Davidson’s Mains • Dean Village • Drumbrae • Drylaw • Duddingston • Dumbiedykes • East Craigs • East Pilton • Easter Road • Eastfield • Edinburgh Park • Fairmilehead • Ferniehill • Ferry Road • Firrhill • Forrester • Fountainbridge • Gilmerton • Gogar • Gogarloch • Goldenacre • Gorgie • The Grange • Grassmarket • Granton • Greenbank • Greendykes • Greenhill • Haymarket • Hermiston • Holy Corner • Holyrood • Holyrood Park • Hunter’s Tryst • Ingliston • Inverleith • Jock’s Lodge • Joppa • Juniper Green • Kaimes • Kingsknowe • Kirkliston • Lauriston • Leith • Liberton • Little France • Lochend • Lochrin • Longstone • Marchmont • Maybury • Mayfield • Meadowbank • The Meadows • Merchiston • Moredun • Morningside • Mortonhall • Mountcastle • Muirhouse • Murrayfield • New Town • Newbridge • Newcraighall • Newhaven • Newington • Niddrie • Northfield • Old Town • Oxgangs • Parkgrove • Parkhead • Piershill • Pilrig • Pilton • Polwarth • Portobello • Powderhall • Prestonfield • Ratho • Ratho Station • Ravelston • Redford • Restalrig • Riccarton • Roseburn • Saughton • Sciennes • Seafield • Sighthill • Silverknowes • Slateford • South Gyle • South Queensferry • Stenhouse • Stockbridge • Swanston • Tollcross • Torphin • Trinity • Turnhouse • Tynecastle • Warriston • West Coates • West Craigs • West Pilton • Wester Hailes • Wester Broom • Western Harbour • Westfield