Alison Cruise MSc RGN

Training, qualifications & experience

About me:

Alison Cruise MSc RGN

Following a lengthy nursing career in the NHS and charity sector I gained a post graduate diploma in psychodynamic psychotherapy at the Tavistock Clinic in London. I am registered with the Tavistock Society of Psychotherapists (TSP) and the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC). I work within their code of ethics framework and have worked with people who have experienced a variety of difficulties.

Further information

Frequently asked questions:

What is therapy?

Therapy is a word used to cover talking treatment. It offers a safe and confidential space for you to bring your concerns and feelings about the difficulties you are experiencing or about negative thoughts and behaviours that you would like to change.

A therapist will not give you advice or solve the problem for you but they will listen and take the opportunity to think together helping you to understand yourself better and make positive changes.

What is the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy?

Counselling is a term used to describe focused therapeutic work suitable for someone going through a specific trauma or crisis where they need support and strategies for coping, whereas psychotherapy tends to be longer term and more explorative looking at how the past impacts on the present day. It is more of an in-depth process for person growth.

What is Psychodynamic Psychotherapy?

Psychodynamic psychotherapy comes from the analytical model. It takes into consideration feelings and experiences that operate on a deeper and sometimes unconscious level that can lead to repeated and often unhelpful ways of being. By using the longer term therapeutic relationship patterns of behaviour are likely to emerge. This will present opportunities to identify possible reasons as to why you are facing your presenting difficulties.

What is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a short programme of therapy designed to treat symptoms of anxiety or phobias; it concentrates on helping people to understand and cope with their symptoms rather than investigating the underlying cause.

Will therapy help me?

This is an important question. Taking the first step into therapy can be daunting and takes courage. Most people benefit from sharing their concerns with a therapist to help them make sense of things. It can be a great relief to be listened to in an empathetic and non-judgemental way. By doing this you may experience some difficult and upsetting feelings in the process as you develop and work through the issues that are troubling you.

How do I start?

Once you have made contact we will arrange a convenient time for me to call you for a conversation to discuss your concerns and whether my approach is right for you. If so we will arrange an initial consultation.

It is important that both of us feel comfortable, therefore you are under no pressure to decide whether you wish to take up subsequent sessions at this point. You will be encouraged to go away and think about it. We can book further sessions if we then feel that it would be desirable and of benefit to you.

How long does it last?

The length of time that you might continue with therapy depends on your presenting issues and what you get out of therapy. This can be discussed at the initial consultation and reviewed on an on-going basis. Each session will be weekly and will last 50 minutes.

How much will it cost?

The initial consultation will cost £50, payable on the day. On-going sessions will also be £50 per session, payable on a weekly or monthly basis. If you are on a low income or unemployed an adjustment to this fee could be discussed at the initial consultation.