Please note:

We do not offer an emergency service, if matters are urgent you should contact your local NHS Emergency Mental Health helpline
We cannot accept referral requests submitted by those under the age of 18
We cannot accept referral requests submitted on behalf of someone else
We cannot offer remote therapy sessions through our Training Patient Scheme

Overview

The Severnside Institute for Psychotherapy is a Member Institute of the British Psychoanalytic Council, who accredit our well established training courses.

Our Training Patient Scheme offers the opportunity to access psychotherapy at reduced rates with a therapist in training. Trainees are at an advanced stage of training, and are supervised by senior members of SIP who have been approved as training supervisors.

There are two options:

Intensive psychoanalytic psychotherapy: This scheme is for individuals who are looking for – and can commit to – three times weekly sessions for a minimum of two years
Psychodynamic psychotherapy: This is for individuals who are looking for – and can commit to – once or twice weekly therapy for a minimum of one year.

If you’d like to enquire about accessing therapy at a reduced cost with a therapist in training through SIP’s Consultation and Referral service, please see the ‘How does the Training Patient Scheme referral process work?‘ section of the FAQs below for more information.

If you’d prefer to contact a therapist directly, you may prefer to use the ‘Find a therapist’ pages of the British Psychoanalytic Council (https://www.bpc.org.uk/find-a-therapist) or the United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapists (https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/find-a-therapist/), both of which list suitably trained and registered therapists.

Availability

Location	Frequency of sessions	Slots available
Bristol	Psychoanalytic psychotherapy (3 sessions per week for a minimum of 2 years)	Monday – Afternoon, Monday – Evening, Tuesday – Evening, Wednesday – Evening, Thursday – Morning, Friday – Afternoon, AND/OR Friday – Evening
Stroud	Psychodynamic psychotherapy (1 or 2 sessions p/week for a minimum of 1 year)	Friday – Morning OR Friday- Afternoon
Birmingham	Psychoanalytic psychotherapy (3 sessions per week for a minimum of 2 years)	Monday – Morning AND Tuesday – Morning AND Wednesday – Afternoon
Cheltenham	Psychoanalytic psychotherapy (3 sessions per week for a minimum of 2 years)	Monday – Afternoon, Tuesday – Morning, Tuesday – Afternoon, Wednesday- Morning, Wednesday – Afternoon, Thursday – Morning, AND/OR Friday – Morning
Stroud	Psychoanalytic psychotherapy (3 sessions per week for a minimum of 2 years)	Tuesday – Morning, Tuesday – Afternoon, Tuesday – Evening, Wednesday – Evening, Thursday – Afternoon, AND/OR Friday – Morning
Taunton	Psychoanalytic psychotherapy (3 sessions per week for a minimum of 2 years)	Monday – Morning, Monday – Afternoon, Tuesday – Afternoon, Wednesday – Afternoon, AND/OR Friday – Afternoon

FAQs

What is psychotherapy?

Psychoanalytic or psychodynamic therapies offer an intensely personal and emotional experience which can change lives, often in a profound way. We can help you find out what therapy is like, who it can help, and guide you through the process. For a more comprehensive explanation we recommend visiting the BPC’s ‘What is Psychotherapy?’ page here.

Does it work?

The BPC keeps regular summaries of research evidence of effectiveness for both the general and professional reader, please visit the BPC’s Evidence base page here for more information.

How does the Training Patient Scheme referral process work?

The first step is to contact [email protected] confirming which of the available session time(s) you are interested in. As we are a small organisation, we do not maintain a waiting list and will be unable to progress your enquiry if you cannot attend sessions during the time(s) above.

You will then be asked to complete a short form to confirm the details necessary to schedule an initial consultation. Your details will then be passed on to a therapist who will contact you to schedule the initial consultation at a mutually convenient time. This consultation serves as a way of learning more about your enquiry, and establishing whether psychotherapy and working with a therapist in training, is the best way forward for you at this point in time.

The suitability in referring you to a therapist in training is considered during the initial consultation. The initial consultation (which often takes place remotely) will cost £50, or £30 if you are unwaged or in receipt of benefits and will be payable direct to the therapist.

If psychotherapy with a therapist in training is deemed appropriate, the therapist with whom you have met for the initial consultation will refer you onwards to a therapist in training who has the appropriate availability and experience.

How much will therapy cost?

The practical and payment arrangements are organised directly between yourself and the therapist in training you are referred to. If working with a therapist in training is deemed appropriate, you can expect to pay approximately £25 per session (those seeing a therapist in training 3 times per week can expect to pay a lower cost per session).

What if I have feedback or wish to make a complaint?

SIP psychotherapists are bound by the Code of Ethics of the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC). If you believe that a SIP psychotherapist has broken this Code of Ethics, we encourage you to first reach out to our office using the feedback form below. Alternatively, you can make a complaint directly through BPC – please visit the ‘Complaints‘ page of the BPC website for further details.

Any and all feedback regarding your experience of SIP’s Consultation & Referral Service is welcomed and appreciated. If you would like to submit informal feedback on SIP’s Consultation & Referral Service and/or the SIP therapist/trainee therapist you have been referred to, you can do so by clicking here.