Frequently asked questions

No, you do not usually need a referral to access Carey Therapies. You can contact me directly to discuss your communication needs and find out whether private speech and language therapy is appropriate for you.

If you have been referred by a healthcare professional, I am also happy to work alongside your existing medical or healthcare team, with your consent.

Carey Therapies provides specialist speech and language therapy for adults aged 18 and over experiencing difficulties with speech, language, voice or communication.

I work with people experiencing a wide range of communication difficulties, including aphasia and dysphasia, dysarthria, voice difficulties, laryngectomy and stammering amongst other communication difficulties.

Every person’s experience of communication is different. You may be looking for support following an illness or injury, living with a long-standing difficulty, or finding that communication is affecting your confidence, relationships, work or everyday life.

You don’t have to be sure that therapy is right for you before making contact. We can have an initial conversation about what you’re experiencing and whether Carey Therapies could help.

I aim to offer appointments as soon as possible, depending on my current availability and your individual needs.

When you contact Carey Therapies, I will discuss your needs with you and let you know the earliest suitable appointment available.

If you have a particular timeframe in mind, such as returning to work, preparing for an important event or following a recent change in your communication, please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate this.

Carey Therapies offers flexible appointments to suit your needs, including face-to-face sessions within the North West of England and online sessions.

Online sessions are delivered securely and can be a convenient option if travelling is difficult or you prefer to receive therapy from home.

When you get in touch, we can discuss the most appropriate setting for your assessment and therapy.

Yes. I offer online appointments, providing a convenient and flexible way to access specialist therapy from the comfort of your own home.

Online therapy can be particularly helpful if travelling is difficult, you live further afield, or you simply feel more comfortable receiving support in your own environment.

Sessions are delivered securely and remain personalised, collaborative and focused on your individual goals. For some communication difficulties, online therapy can also provide an opportunity to practise communication in a familiar, real-life setting.

I will discuss your needs with you and advise whether online therapy is a suitable option for you.

The length of an assessment will depend on your individual needs and the reason you are seeking therapy.

An initial assessment will usually take around 45 minutes, although some assessments may be shorter or may require more time depending on the complexity of your communication difficulties.

The assessment is an opportunity for me to understand your concerns, discuss how communication is affecting your everyday life, and explore your strengths and goals. Where appropriate, I may also carry out specific speech, language, voice or other communication assessments.

I will explain the assessment process to you beforehand, so you know what to expect. Following the assessment, we can discuss my findings and whether therapy or further support would be helpful.

There is no need to prepare anything in advance unless I have specifically asked you to bring information or reports that may be relevant to your assessment.

The number of sessions you need will depend on your individual circumstances, your goals and the type of support you are looking for.

Some people may benefit from just a few sessions focused on a specific goal, while others may need longer-term support. Following your initial assessment, I will discuss my recommendations with you and agree a therapy plan based on what you would like to achieve.

Therapy is regularly reviewed to make sure it remains appropriate and is helping you make progress. I will always aim to provide the support you need without recommending unnecessary sessions.

Your therapy may also include practical strategies and activities that you can use between sessions, helping you to continue developing your communication skills and confidence in everyday life.

Yes. Where appropriate, I am happy to work alongside your NHS or other healthcare professionals to provide joined-up care.

With your consent, I can communicate with relevant members of your healthcare team, such as your GP, consultant, NHS speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist or psychologist. This can help ensure that everyone involved in your care has a clear understanding of your needs, goals and progress.

If you are already receiving NHS speech and language therapy or other support, private therapy can sometimes complement the care you are receiving. I will always discuss this with you and, where appropriate, work collaboratively with your existing team.

Your privacy and confidentiality are important to me, and I will only share information with other professionals with your knowledge and consent, unless there is a legal or safeguarding reason that requires information to be shared.

Where appropriate, I can provide written reports relating to your assessment, therapy and communication needs.

A report may include relevant background information, assessment findings, your communication needs, recommendations and, where appropriate, information about your progress and ongoing support.

If you require a report for a specific purpose, please let me know when you make contact so that I can discuss your requirements with you and confirm whether I am able to provide the report you need.

Reports that require additional time beyond your usual assessment or therapy sessions may incur a separate fee. I will always discuss this with you in advance.