If you've never done this before, not knowing what to expect can be the hardest part. So here's the whole thing, start to finish, with nothing left out.
Fill in the form on our site with your name, a number to reach you on, and a little about what's going on. Tell us as much or as little as you like. There are genuinely no wrong answers, and nobody reads it but us.
Within two working days, Monday to Friday, someone from Glen & Oak calls you for a friendly, no-pressure chat. We listen, answer any questions, and there's no obligation to book anything on that call. It's just a conversation.
The right fit is most of what makes therapy work, so we take real care here. This isn't a name pulled off a list. Based on what you've told us, a person thinks about who will genuinely suit you, and pairs you with a qualified therapist who fits, at a first session time that works around your life.
You meet your therapist however feels most comfortable: online by video, by phone, or by WhatsApp. There's nothing to prepare and nothing you have to say. You set the pace, always.
If it feels like a good fit, you carry on at whatever rhythm suits you. If it doesn't, that's completely fine, and we'll happily help you find someone who does. There's no lock-in and no awkwardness.
Not everyone wants to sit in front of a camera, especially at first. So you choose how we talk, and you can change it whenever you like.
Face to face from wherever you feel comfortable. Just a private space and a phone or laptop. No software to wrestle with.
A simple voice call, no camera at all. Many people find it easier to open up when they don't have to be seen. That's completely valid.
A familiar, everyday way to connect, by voice or video. Easy and informal, on the app you already use every day.
The questions almost everyone has before their first session, answered honestly.
Gentler than you'd think. The first session is mostly your therapist getting to know you and what you'd like help with. It's a conversation, not an interrogation. You won't be asked to relive anything you're not ready to talk about.
No. You share only what you want, when you want. A good therapist follows your pace, never the other way around. It's completely normal for the difficult things to come later, or in their own time.
Both are completely fine and happen all the time. There's no pressure to perform, no right way to do therapy, and silence is allowed. Your therapist is trained for exactly these moments and will never make you feel awkward.
Yes. What you share stays private between you and your therapist, within the normal professional and legal limits, which your therapist will explain clearly at the start. Nothing is shared without you knowing.
There's no set answer, and anyone who promises one isn't being honest. Some people come for a few sessions to work through something specific. Others stay longer. You're never tied in, and you decide what's right for you as you go.
It happens, and it's nothing to feel bad about. Fit matters enormously in therapy. If it's not working, just tell us, and we'll help you find someone better suited. No awkwardness, no starting from scratch on your own.
No rush, no commitment. Send a short message and a real person will call you back within two working days.
Arrange a first sessionMon to Fri, 10:00–17:00