Frequently Asked Questions.

Below are answers to some of the most common questions about psychotherapy, music therapy and creative arts therapy at The Rhythm Practice. If you are considering starting therapy in Wiltshire or the surrounding areas, or exploring online therapy from further afield, these answers may help explain how our services work.

  • We work with people of all ages and backgrounds. Our therapists support children, adolescents, adults and older adults who may be experiencing a wide range of emotional, psychological or life challenges.

    Each therapist within The Rhythm Practice brings their own experience, interests and areas of specialist practice. Once a referral is received, we review it as a team and consider which therapist may be the most suitable fit for the individual. This allows us to match clients with a therapist whose approach and experience align well with their needs.

    While we receive many referrals for children and young people, our services are equally suitable for adults who are seeking support with their mental health, personal challenges or life transitions. Our aim is always to provide a supportive and creative therapeutic space for anyone who feels that this way of working may be helpful.

  • Therapy can support people who are experiencing a wide range of emotional, psychological or life challenges. People often seek therapy when they are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or looking for a space to better understand themselves and their experiences.

    Some of the issues therapy may help with include anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, bereavement, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, addiction, life transitions, and experiences of abuse. Creative and arts-based approaches can also support people living with autism, learning disabilities or dementia.

    Therapy provides a space to explore thoughts, feelings and experiences in a supportive and confidential environment. Through this process, many people develop greater self-understanding, new ways of coping, and a stronger sense of wellbeing.

  • Session fees vary depending on several factors, so we do not publish a single standard rate. Costs may differ depending on the type of therapy, whether sessions are privately funded or commissioned by an organisation, and whether sessions take place in our studio or as part of an outreach or home visit.

    Therapy funded by organisations may involve additional elements such as report writing, liaison with other professionals, or multidisciplinary meetings, which can affect the overall cost. We aim to keep privately funded sessions as accessible as possible and are happy to discuss options with you.

    If you are considering therapy and would like an indication of fees, please get in touch. Once we have a brief understanding of the type of support you are looking for, we can provide a clear outline of the likely costs.

  • It is common to feel unsure about which type of therapy might suit you best. In most cases, you do not need to decide this in advance. At The Rhythm Practice, our therapists work in a flexible and integrative way, meaning the approach can be adapted to suit your needs as the work develops.

    During an initial conversation or assessment, we will explore what has brought you to therapy, what you hope to gain from the process, and what ways of working might feel most comfortable for you. Some people prefer primarily talking-based psychotherapy, while others find it helpful to use creative approaches such as music, art, writing or songwriting to support expression and reflection.

    Often therapy naturally blends different approaches over time. The aim is to find the ways of working that best support you in exploring your experiences and moving towards greater understanding and wellbeing.

  • The first session is usually an opportunity for the therapist to learn more about you and the reasons you are seeking therapy. We may talk about your background, current experiences and what you hope to gain from the therapeutic process. This helps the therapist begin to build a fuller picture of your situation.

    Some of this information may already have been discussed during the referral process or in an initial conversation before therapy begins. The first session allows space to explore this in more depth and to ask any questions you may have.

    Just as importantly, the session helps establish the therapeutic relationship. It is important that both you and the therapist feel comfortable working together and have a shared understanding of the purpose of the therapy. The first session is exploratory and provides a starting point for deciding how the work may move forward.

  • The length of therapy can vary depending on the individual and the reasons for seeking support. Some people come for a short period, for example around six sessions, to work through a specific issue. Others choose longer-term therapy, sometimes taking pauses or adjusting the frequency of sessions in order to explore deeper or more complex experiences. For some people this work can continue over a number of years.

    Therapy sessions usually take place regularly, often once a week, and the length of the work is discussed collaboratively between you and your therapist. At different points in the process you may reflect together on whether continuing the work feels helpful. A useful question to consider is simply: is the therapy helping? If the answer is yes, it may be worth continuing the process while it remains beneficial.

  • Therapy sessions most commonly take place once a week at the same time each week. This regular rhythm helps create a consistent and reliable space for reflection and therapeutic work.

    For some people, sessions may take place fortnightly or monthly, depending on their needs and circumstances. In longer-term therapy, some clients may also choose to return for occasional check-ins after completing a period of regular sessions.

    The frequency of sessions can be discussed and adjusted with your therapist. In some cases this may also help make therapy more affordable while still maintaining a supportive and meaningful therapeutic process.

  • Yes, we do offer online therapy sessions. Online work can be a helpful and accessible way to engage in therapy, particularly when meeting in person is not possible.

    Talking-based psychotherapy often works very well online. Creative approaches can sometimes present practical challenges in a virtual setting, particularly when making music or creating art together in real time. However, when creative expression is an important part of the work, we can often find adaptable and imaginative ways to incorporate it into online sessions.

  • No. You do not need any musical or artistic ability to take part in therapy. The creative elements used in sessions are not about performance or producing finished work, but about supporting expression and reflection.

    Creative approaches such as music, drawing or writing can sometimes help people communicate thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to express in words alone. These activities are always adapted to the comfort and preferences of the client, and many sessions involve simple, accessible forms of creativity.

    The focus of therapy is on the process rather than the outcome. What matters most is the opportunity to explore experiences in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.

  • Yes. Therapy sessions are confidential, and what you share will normally remain private between you and your therapist. Creating a safe and trusting environment is an essential part of the therapeutic process.

    There are, however, a small number of circumstances where confidentiality may need to be broken. These usually relate to situations where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or to others, or where there is a legal obligation to share information. Wherever possible, this would be discussed with you first.

    Your therapist will explain the boundaries of confidentiality clearly at the beginning of therapy so that you understand how your information is handled and protected.

  • Psychotherapy is primarily a talking-based therapy that focuses on exploring thoughts, emotions, relationships and life experiences through conversation and reflection. It provides a structured space to better understand patterns in your life and to work through emotional or psychological challenges.

    Music therapy is also a form of psychotherapy, but it uses music as an additional way of communicating and exploring experiences. This may involve listening to music, improvising with instruments, songwriting or reflecting on musical experiences within the session. Music can sometimes help express feelings that are difficult to put into words.

    At The Rhythm Practice, these approaches often overlap. Some sessions may focus mainly on conversation, while others may include music or other creative forms of expression. The approach is always guided by the needs and preferences of the client.

  • No, you do not need a referral to start therapy. Many people choose to contact us directly to enquire about beginning therapy for themselves or for a family member.

    Referrals may also come from professionals such as GPs, schools, healthcare providers or other organisations. In these cases, therapy may be funded or arranged through the referring organisation.

    If you are unsure about the referral process, you are welcome to get in touch to discuss your situation. We can help guide you through the next steps and identify the most appropriate way to begin therapy.