Annie Rimmer

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to pay a professional?
The importance of the support of friends and family cannot be underestimated. But when despite that, you are still struggling with difficult emotions or unhelpful life patterns then it can be helpful to talk to a professional who can be more objective and who has skills and experience that can help you understand more about the causes of such difficulties and who is focused entirely on you and the changes you want to make.
To find out more about how I work please click on the link “My philosophy and how I work”.

How do I choose the right ‘therapist for me?
That is probably the most important question of all.
Psychotherapy can be a major investment of time and money and emotional energy so it is important to find the right “fit”.
First of all if you were interested in working with me we would meet for an initial consultation. This would give us both the opportunity to find out more about the other and to see how we feel with each other. This would be entirely without obligation and indeed I do not charge for this initial consultation unless we subsequently decide we will work together. If I felt I did not have the right expertise or experience to best help you I would give you details of another more suitable person or organization..

How much will it cost?
My standard charge is £50 per session. This is about average for an experienced psychotherapist in London. In certain circumstances I am happy to reduce my fee, for example, for those who have a particular reason for wanting to work with me and who are unwaged or who have low incomes. I also offer some concessions for those who are trainees or who are committed to coming more than once a week.
If you cannot afford this there are also many low-cost counselling or psychotherapy schemes run by training institutes where you would be seen by not yet qualified or less experienced people, under supervision. You will find some links to these on this page.

What will happen in a session?
A session lasts fifty minutes and usually I see people weekly and sometimes more often. Sometimes people prefer to sit and talk face to face,in which case there is a comfortable arm chair to occupy. Some people find it easier to talk lying on my couch with me slightly behind and off to the side. There is no pressure at all to do either and it would be entirely up to you which way you prefer.
I will encourage you to talk about whatever is on your mind and may ask questions sometimes, and will certainly respond to what you have to say.
The best way really to get a sense of how this might work is to come and see me for an initial consultation. Don’t worry about not being certain that this is what you want. I am very happy to explore that with you and will not mind at all if you decide that either I or therapy is not for you at this time.

How long will it take?
That is not something that it is possible to predict as it depends entirely upon what you are wanting to achieve and what we discover as we work. Sometimes we work in an open ended way, evaluating how things are going as we go along, but sometimes people like to set an initial number of sessions to get the feel of the work before they decide to go on further.

Why choose me?
Over the last twenty years I have trained in several different types of counseling and psychotherapy and draw on ideas from client-centred counseling, Transactional Analysis, Gestalt, and importantly from psychoanalytic traditions. I continue in my professional development by regularly attending courses, seminars and conferences, reading, and meeting with colleagues for consultation and discussion.
I work in an ethical and boundaried way, which means you can be sure that the work we do will remain confidential. You can be absolutely certain that you will have my full commitment to you and the changes you are wanting to make.
As each of us is unique, the relationship we build and our work together will be unique too and it is my responsibility, with your help, to find a way of working with you that is best for you. You might find it helpful to read “my philosophy and how I work” to get a little more sense of me.

I hope this has been helpful, but if you have more questions, please do call ON: 020 8291 4091 or CLICK HERE to e-mail me. It’s an important decision to enter counseling or psychotherapy and I am more than happy to help in any way that I can.


Some useful links

Try the UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) for information about where to find low cost psychotherapy or counselling.
Try BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) for low cost counselling centres local to you.
Relate offers couples help with relationship or sexual problems.
The Institute of Family Therapy can offer information and advice about family therapy.


Psychotherapy and Counselling in Forest Hill / Sydenham, South East London