Behind the Practice Door: What Therapy Actually Looks Like at Aperture Psychology
By Peter Walker
Pop culture hasn’t always done therapy many favours.
From ominous therapists in crime dramas to cryptic sessions on prime-time TV, psychologists are often portrayed as eccentric, distant, or even unethical.
And therapy is usually shown as vague, mysterious, or meandering – more about dramatic confessions and tissue boxes than meaningful change.
It’s no wonder many people feel unsure (or even uneasy) about what therapy is really like in the real world - so let’s clear that up.
At Aperture Psychology, our approach to therapy looks vastly different from many pop culture portrayals (no leather chaise longues or elbow patch cardigans here). From day one, we prioritise clarity – focusing on connection, moving through insight, and collaboratively building tools that last well beyond the therapy room.
Our approach is structured, evidence-based, and authentic.
Here’s what you can expect.
1. Building a Foundation of Connection and Understanding
Therapy begins with connection. Research consistently shows that the relationship between therapist and client is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes.
That sense of being heard, seen, and understood isn’t just comforting, it’s therapeutic in itself. In your first one or two sessions, we work together to:
Understand your experiences and how they’re affecting your life
Explore how the issue started
Begin identifying the underlying patterns contributing to your challenges
Map out a potential treatment pathway tailored to your needs
We make sure your first session feels calm, structured, and respectful of where you’re at. It’s not about rushing into solutions – it’s about understanding your story and laying the foundations for meaningful change. You should feel like your psychologist gets you, and that together, you’re heading somewhere purposeful.
2. Clarifying the Why: Formulation and a Clear Plan
By session two or three, we introduce something called a formulation.
This is a working model that helps us (and you) make sense of the issues you’re facing. It pulls together what we’ve learned: how the difficulty developed, what’s maintaining it, and how it’s showing up in your life. It’s not a lecture, it’s a two-way conversation.
Drawing on evidence-based approaches, clinical formulation, and compassionate listening, we ensure that your care is considered, informed, and deeply human. You should walk away feeling like it clicks.
From this shared understanding, we introduce a treatment plan – a clear and structured roadmap forward. This isn’t a generic set of strategies. It’s tailored, targeted, and based directly on what we’ve uncovered together. The goal is a practical, focused pathway of change that feels relevant to you.
3. Learning, Practising, and Applying
The therapy itself is active and engaging. It’s not just about talking – it’s about doing.
Across roughly 6 to 10 sessions (depending on your goals), you’ll be supported to:
Learn new tools and strategies grounded in psychological science
Experiment with different ways of responding to difficult thoughts or emotions
Face things you might have been avoiding
Build emotional regulation and coping skills
Process stuck or unresolved experiences
Develop insight into patterns that haven’t been serving you
This part of therapy can sometimes feel challenging; however, that’s often a positive sign. It means you’re uncovering, trying, growing, and building something more sustainable.
Depending on your goals, we may draw from a range of evidence-based approaches (such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy or mindfulness-based models). These modalities are used flexibly and purposefully to fit your unique circumstances.
As we continue, we will adapt your treatment to your evolving needs and keep track of your goals through standardised psychological questionnaires, a comprehensive clinical assessment, and self-reports.
4. Confidence and Independence
Change takes time, but it also needs structure. That’s why we focus not only on what’s difficult, but on what’s possible: building confidence, restoring clarity, and helping you move forward with independence.
After the active treatment phase, we continue to support you by collaborating with relevant stakeholders (whether it's your school, university, workplace, or other healthcare professionals) to help prevent setbacks. Additionally, we provide you with a range of educational resources to support your ongoing progress.
Our goal is never dependency, it’s to equip you with the understanding and tools to become your own psychologist. We want you to walk away with:
A deeper understanding of yourself and clarity about what’s been happening
Confidence in how to manage it
Tools you can continue using long after therapy ends
We’re not going anywhere, but ultimately, we want you to feel able to manage life’s challenges on your own, with the knowledge that support is always there if you need it.
5. Therapy Without the Guesswork. Are You Ready to Begin?
At Aperture Psychology, we believe that good therapy should feel collaborative, not confusing, strategic, not aimless and focused on helping you move from clarity to insight to action.
You’re not signing up for something mysterious – you’re signing up for something thoughtful, transparent, and built around you.
Whether you’ve tried therapy before or you’re thinking about it for the first time, it’s okay to have questions. We’re here to help you feel informed, supported, and confident about what’s ahead.
If you're curious, reach out. We’re always happy to have a conversation about whether therapy could be helpful for you or someone you care about. You can get in touch with our friendly team here.
