Layla Eissa

You don't need a diagnosis or particular severity of problem to come to therapy. Many people reach out because something in their life or relationships doesn't feel quite right. Therapy can be helpful whether you're going through a difficult time or simply wanting to understand yourself better.

I have a particular interest in working with difficulties that arise in relationships - whether with partners, family, friends or socially in general. This might include patterns in dating, feeling overly responsible for others, struggling to rely on people, difficulties with trust, boundaries, conflict, people-pleasing, social anxiety or loneliness.

You may have come across these terms online. While they can be a helpful starting point, people are usually much more complex than fixed categories. In therapy, attachment refers to the patterns we develop in close relationships - how we seek support, handle closeness and distance, manage conflict, or cope with uncertainty about another person's care. Rather than trying to label you, we may give attention to understanding how these patterns show up for you and how they might shift over time.

When you get in touch we'll first make sure there is a regular weekly time that would work for both of us, before arranging an introductory call, so neither of us is investing in a conversation that can't be continued.

The introductory call is simply a chance for us to meet and get a sense of each other. I'll ask a little about what has brought you to consider therapy and you can ask me anything you want to know about how I work. You don't need to prepare or have the right words - we can take it slowly. The aim isn't to assess you, but to help you decide whether you would feel comfortable talking with me.

No. The introductory call doesn't commit you to starting therapy. Its purpose is simply to see how it feels to talk together.

If it does seem that working together could be helpful, I can hold the regular session time we've provisionally discussed while you take a little time to think. You can then let me know within the week whether you'd like to go ahead.

Generally by how you feel when we talk. Training and approach matter, but the sense of being understood and able to speak freely matters more. The initial call is there so you can notice that for yourself - you're not expected to decide purely from reading my website.

Feeling nervous is very normal. You don't have to hold yourself together in a particular way and you won't be judged for becoming emotional. We can go at a pace that feels manageable, and it's okay to pause or slow down whenever you need.

Yes. You're not signing up to an indefinite process. Some people come for a shorter piece of work, others for longer - we can review together as we go and you're free to stop if it no longer feels helpful.

We agree a start date, I email a copy of my Therapy Agreement to review and sign and a Privacy Policy for information on how your data is handled. Once the Agreement is signed, I countersign it and email a copy to you to keep. I'll email a confirmation for our first session containing a Zoom meeting link and a separate email with a secure link for payment.

My fee is £65 per 50 minute session. I send a secure link for payment via email to be settled ahead of each session. Payment can be made via credit or debit card.

I ask for at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or change a session. Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice are charged in full, as the time is held specifically for you. Where possible, I will try to offer an alternative appointment within the same week, although this can't always be guaranteed.

You're welcome to email me between sessions about practical matters such as scheduling. Therapy itself takes place within the session time, so I don't offer therapeutic support by email. This helps keep the work contained and ensures you have a regular, reliable space each week where your thoughts can be given proper attention.

I sometimes work with clients who are living abroad. Because insurance and regulations can vary depending on location, I would need to check whether I'm able to offer sessions in your country. You're welcome to get in touch via the contact form and we can look at this together.