Frequently Asked Questions
Booking & Applications
How do I book an appointment?
To start therapy at Share, you first need to complete an application form. This helps us understand your needs. You can request a digital or paper form through our contact form.
Can you help me fill out the application form?
We always encourage people to complete the application form at home as some of the questions can be quite difficult to answer and it gives you time to reflect and answer them with as much detail as you can. As we are a small charity, we do not have the capacity to help you complete your application. If you need help with reading or writing or support with English, we encourage you to find a friend, family member or professional to help you.
What happens after I return my application form?
You will receive an email to let you know we have received it. Following this, a member of our clinical team will review your application. You will then be added to our pool of applicants. We will only contact you if your application is not suitable.
How long will I have to wait until I see someone?
Share offers long-term therapy, and appointments are limited. We consider your availability, the complexity of your needs, the type of therapy best suited to you, and our therapists’ availability when allocating appointments. Waiting times vary.
Can I book an appointment on a specific day of the week?
Yes. Let us know your availability on your application form and update us if it changes. We will try to find a weekly appointment that fits your schedule.
Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
Later appointments are available on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, with the latest appointments starting at 19:00. Please be aware there can be a longer wait for evening appointments.
Can I have fortnightly or monthly sessions?
No. Our therapeutic model is based on weekly sessions. Regular weekly contact is key to long-term therapeutic progress, and less frequent sessions are less effective for both the client and the therapist.
Can I delay my start date?
Yes, you can delay your start date by up to one week. Please inform our office as soon as possible.
Cost & Payments
What is the cost?
All sessions, including the initial meeting, are paid. We use a sliding scale based on income, so you can choose what you can afford. Payments for all sessions in a month are made at the start of that month. See our Paying for Therapy page and our application form for more details.
Location & Accessibility
How do I get there? Is there parking?
Share is located at 19 Paradise Square, Sheffield, S1 2DE. You can visit our contact page to download a list of parking and transport options.
Accessibility: Our office has stairs, and the two ground floor rooms have five steps, so it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Accessible therapy is available on Thursday afternoons at a city centre venue.
Types of Therapy
What different therapies are there? What happens in therapy?
We offer six types of therapy:
Integrative Therapy: Combines techniques from different approaches tailored to your needs.
Person-Centred Therapy: Focuses on your personal growth in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Explores past experiences and unconscious patterns to understand current behaviour.
Transactional Analysis: Looks at personality states and patterns in relationships to support change.
Art Psychotherapy: Combines psychodynamic talking therapy with creative expression to help process emotions and experiences.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): Helps process distressing memories using guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation to reduce emotional intensity.
Can I see a male/female therapist if I prefer?
We try to match you with your preferred gender based on your application, though your initial meeting may be with any therapist.
I already know what type of therapy I want – can I specify this?
Please let us know on your application form or during the initial meeting if you have a preferred therapy type. We will try to match you with your preferred therapy type, however this can’t be guaranteed.
Initial Meeting & Starting Therapy
What happens at the initial meeting?
The initial meeting is up to 90 minutes long. You can discuss your issues and explore how therapy can help. The therapist will take notes and write a summary for our Clinical Manager, which will also be available for your future therapist.
What happens at my first session?
Your first session with your allocated therapist lasts 50 minutes. You will sign a therapy agreement and complete a short questionnaire. This session is a chance to get to know each other, ask questions, and decide how to move forward.
How many sessions will I need?
We offer an initial year of therapy. Extensions up to two years can be discussed in therapy, based on progress and needs.
What happens if I am unwell and cannot attend?
We encourage you to inform your therapist as soon as possible if you are unwell. Sessions that are missed will still be charged.
What happens if I have booked a holiday?
Inform your therapist in advance. We ask you don’t miss therapy for longer than three weeks in a row. Sessions will still be charged.
What if I want to change therapist?
We encourage you to speak to your therapist about any difficulties first. If that doesn’t feel possible, contact our office to discuss options. If you decide to change therapist, you will be added back to the waiting list. We cannot guarantee how long you will wait.
How much notice do I need to give my therapist if I wish to withdraw from therapy?
Eight days’ notice is required.
Confidentiality & Data
Will information from my sessions be shared with my GP?
Only if you request it, or if there is a concern regarding your wellbeing. Therapists will endeavour to discuss this with you beforehand.
What do you do with my data?
We follow GDPR and data protection laws. Your personal information is kept secure and confidential. At the end of therapy, all client notes are archived for seven years and then shredded. Any artwork created during therapy is disposed of after therapy if you decide you’d prefer not to take it.
What happens to my application form?
Your application is added to our secure client database. Any paper applications are shredded once the information is inputted, including additional materials you have attached. If you send something you want returned, please let us know.
Online & Remote Options
Do you do online/Zoom sessions?
Although we are a face-to-face service, we can sometimes offer online session to existing clients in exceptional circumstances. Please contact us for more information.