Therapy FAQ: Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Trauma, Grief & Online Therapy Explained

Online psychodynamic psychotherapy can help people struggling with trauma, grief, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm understand difficult emotional experiences more deeply. Many people considering online therapy in the UK wonder whether therapy through a screen can still feel emotionally connected, reflective, and containing. This FAQ explores common questions about psychotherapy, trauma therapy, grief counselling, and how online sessions work in practice.

FAQ

Psychotherapy: Frequently Asked Questions

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy, often called talking therapy, is a collaborative treatment between a qualified mental health professional and a client. It is designed to help people identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. Through structured conversations, psychotherapy can address a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma, and life transitions.

How does psychotherapy work?

Psychotherapy works by providing a safe, confidential space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with a trained therapist. Over time, you gain insight into patterns that may be contributing to distress, develop healthier coping strategies, and build emotional resilience. Sessions typically last 50 minutes and may be weekly, fortnightly, or as needed.

How long does psychotherapy take to work?

The length of psychotherapy varies depending on the issue, the type of therapy, and individual goals. Some people experience meaningful relief within 8 to 12 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term work that may last months or years. Research shows about 50% of clients improve after 15 to 20 sessions, though deeper change often requires more time.

What are the different types of psychotherapy?

Common types of psychotherapy in the UK include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic and person-centred therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and integrative or holistic approaches. The best fit depends on your goals, personality, and the issues you want to address.

Is psychotherapy confidential?

Yes. Therapists registered with bodies such as the BACP, UKCP, BPC, or HCPC are bound by strict confidentiality and professional ethics, in line with UK data protection law (GDPR). Exceptions are limited and typically include risk of serious harm to self or others, safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult, or a court order. Your therapist will explain confidentiality clearly during your first session.

Ready to begin? I'm Alan Archibald, a qualified UK psychotherapist offering confidential online therapy to clients across the UK. If you would like to talk things through, you can book your free 20-minute introductory consultation here — no obligation, just a chance to see if we are a good fit.

Psychodynamic Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions

What is psychodynamic therapy?

Psychodynamic therapy is an in-depth form of talking therapy based on the theories of Sigmund Freud and later analysts. It focuses on how unconscious thoughts, early childhood experiences, and unresolved conflicts shape current behaviour, emotions, and relationships. By bringing these patterns into awareness, clients gain lasting insight and emotional freedom.

How is psychodynamic therapy different from CBT?

While cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is typically short-term and focuses on changing current thoughts and behaviours, psychodynamic therapy explores the deeper, often unconscious roots of psychological distress. CBT is symptom-focused; psychodynamic therapy is insight-focused and tends to produce changes that continue to deepen long after therapy ends.

What issues does psychodynamic therapy treat?

Psychodynamic therapy is effective for depression, anxiety, personality difficulties, chronic relationship problems, low self-esteem, identity struggles, complex trauma, and unresolved grief. It is particularly helpful for people who feel stuck in repetitive patterns or want to understand themselves on a deeper level.

Is psychodynamic therapy evidence-based?

Yes. A growing body of research, including meta-analyses published in peer-reviewed psychology journals, confirms that psychodynamic therapy produces significant and lasting improvements in mental health. Benefits often continue to grow after treatment ends, a phenomenon sometimes called the sleeper effect.

How long does psychodynamic therapy last?

Psychodynamic therapy can be brief (12 to 24 sessions) or long-term (a year or more). Short-term psychodynamic therapy targets a specific focus, while longer-term work allows for deeper character change and exploration of complex issues such as childhood trauma or persistent relational difficulties.

Curious whether psychodynamic therapy could help you understand the patterns you keep finding yourself in? I'm Alan Archibald, a qualified UK psychotherapist with a special interest in in-depth psychotherapy, delivered online across the UK. Book your free 20-minute introductory consultation to talk through what brings you here — there is no obligation to continue.

Trauma Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions

What is trauma?

Trauma is the emotional, psychological, and physical response to a deeply distressing or life-threatening event. It can result from a single incident, such as a road traffic accident or assault, or from chronic experiences like childhood abuse, neglect, or ongoing emotional harm. Trauma is not defined by the event itself, but by how the nervous system processes and stores it.

What are the signs of unresolved trauma in adults?

Common signs include intrusive memories or flashbacks, anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, difficulty trusting others, sleep disturbances, chronic shame, panic attacks, dissociation, and repeating unhealthy relationship patterns. Physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, or digestive problems are also common.

What is the best therapy for trauma?

Trauma therapies recognised by NICE and widely used in the UK include EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT), psychodynamic and relational therapy, somatic experiencing, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). The best approach depends on the type of trauma, your goals, and your therapeutic relationship. Many trauma survivors benefit from an integrative approach.

What is the difference between PTSD and complex trauma (C-PTSD)?

PTSD typically follows a single traumatic event and involves flashbacks, avoidance, and hyperarousal. Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) develops from prolonged, repeated trauma, often during childhood, and additionally affects identity, emotion regulation, and relationships. Both are treatable, but C-PTSD usually benefits from longer-term, relationally focused therapy.

Can trauma be healed?

Yes. With the right therapeutic support, the nervous system can learn to feel safe again, and the emotional impact of trauma can be significantly reduced or resolved. Many trauma survivors not only recover but experience post-traumatic growth, finding deeper meaning, resilience, and connection in life.

Working with trauma takes patience, safety, and the right therapeutic relationship. I'm Alan Archibald, a qualified UK psychotherapist offering gentle, paced trauma-informed online therapy. If something here resonates, you are welcome to book your free 20-minute introductory consultation — a calm space to ask questions before deciding whether to begin.

Grief and Bereavement Counselling: Frequently Asked Questions

What is grief therapy?

Grief therapy, also called bereavement counselling, is a specialised form of psychotherapy that helps people process loss. It provides a supportive space to work through the emotional, cognitive, and physical responses to losing a loved one, a relationship, a career, your health, or any meaningful part of life.

What are the stages of grief?

The classic stages of grief, originally described by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. However, modern grief research shows that grief is not linear. People move through it in unique ways and often revisit feelings as they integrate the loss into their lives.

How long does grief last?

There is no fixed timeline for grief. Acute grief typically softens within 6 to 12 months, but meaningful losses can be felt for years or a lifetime. Grief does not disappear; rather, it changes shape as we learn to carry it. If grief feels stuck, overwhelming, or disabling after several months, working with a bereavement counsellor or grief therapist can help.

What is complicated grief?

Complicated grief, also called prolonged grief disorder, is a persistent and intense form of grief that interferes with daily functioning long after a loss. Symptoms include constant longing, difficulty accepting the death, emotional numbness, and avoidance of reminders. Specialised therapy is highly effective in treating complicated grief.

Can therapy help with grief?

Yes. Grief counselling helps you process painful emotions, honour your loss, adjust to life changes, and rebuild meaning. A skilled therapist offers compassionate guidance through one of life's most difficult experiences and can also address related issues such as guilt, anger, depression, or anxiety.

Grief can feel isolating, and many people are unsure when, or whether, to seek support. I'm Alan Archibald, a qualified UK psychotherapist offering compassionate online bereavement and grief counselling. If you would like to talk, you can book your free 20-minute introductory consultation — a quiet, unhurried space to be heard.

Online Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions

What is online therapy?

Online therapy, also called video therapy or remote therapy, is professional mental health treatment delivered via secure video, phone, or messaging platforms. It offers the same evidence-based care as in-person therapy with added flexibility and accessibility, allowing you to meet with a qualified therapist from the comfort of your home anywhere in the UK.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Yes. Numerous studies show that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, and many other concerns. The most important factor in successful therapy is the quality of the therapeutic relationship, which can be fully established online.

Is online therapy private and secure?

Reputable online therapists in the UK use GDPR-compliant, encrypted video platforms designed for healthcare. Your sessions are private and confidential, just as they would be in a consulting room. Always confirm that your therapist is registered with a recognised UK body such as the BACP, UKCP, BPC, or HCPC and uses a secure, professional platform rather than standard consumer video tools.

How much does online therapy cost in the UK?

Private online therapy fees in the UK typically range from £50 to £150 per session, depending on the therapist's experience, qualifications, and specialism. Some therapists offer concessionary or sliding-scale rates for those on lower incomes. NHS talking therapies are available free of charge through NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) self-referral, and some private medical insurance providers (such as Bupa, AXA, Aviva, or Vitality) cover therapy with approved practitioners.

Who is a good candidate for online therapy?

Online therapy is a strong fit for adults with busy schedules, those who live in rural areas, people with mobility or transport challenges, parents of young children, and anyone who feels more comfortable opening up from home. It may be less appropriate for individuals in acute crisis or those who require a higher level of care; in an emergency, contact your GP, NHS 111, or the Samaritans on 116 123.

How do I get started with therapy?

Starting therapy begins with a simple step: reaching out. Most therapists offer a free initial consultation to discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and decide together whether you are a good fit. From there, you will arrange your first session and begin the work of understanding yourself, healing, and growing. If you are ready to begin, get in touch today to book your consultation.

Online therapy makes good support available wherever you are in the UK. I'm Alan Archibald, a qualified UK psychotherapist working entirely online, using a secure and confidential platform. If you would like to find out whether we are a good fit, you can book your free 20-minute introductory consultation today — a relaxed, no-pressure conversation about what you are looking for.