WHAT I OFFER
I offer evidenced based psychological assessment and therapy for the following mental health problems:
- Anxiety Disorders
- Mood Disorders
- Psychosis
- Eating disorders (BMI above 15)
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Trauma
In addition, I offer services to individuals who are struggling with problematic patterns that are having a negative influence on their lives. For example:
- Perfectionism
- Issues of under or over control of behaviour
- Patterns of repeated dieting without long term success
- Issues with forming and maintaining relationships
Family Sessions
It is important to have people around you that will be ‘cheerleaders’ in your recovery. People who will provide you with warmth, understanding, a space to talk and encouragement.
As a loved one, it is often difficult to work out what you need to do to support someone struggling with their mental health. I am trained in skills-based models of family work that can be very helpful for families to understand their role in supporting recovery and giving them a clear way forwards.
The aim of family sessions is to provide the individual with the best possible environment and support to promote recovery.
Do get in touch if you feel your family may benefit from such sessions or you yourself are in a supportive role and think these sessions could be of help.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your initial appointments with me will be utilised to complete a thorough psychological assessment.
Often people come into therapy asking questions such as 'why me?' or 'why does this keep happening?' or 'why can't I stop this?'. The assessment aims to build an understanding of why your difficulties have come about and what keeps them going. This is achieved by asking detailed questions around your current difficulties, family background, life events and relationship history. As you tell your story, I will begin sketching out the patterns that we see emerging, ultimately reaching a final map of the problem. This is known as a 'formulation' and it is this that will guide us in how we need to tailor therapy to meet your needs. The duration of the assessment often depends on the length of the story you have to tell about what has happened to you. It usually takes between one and four sessions to develop a formulation and plan for therapy.
I draw upon a number of different therapies including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) and skills-based family work. I am particularly interested in the developing science around the relationship between the mind and body and will often bring knowledge of the nervous system into sessions.
My aim is to empower you, providing you with the knowledge and skills you need to make the changes required to improve your wellbeing.
ABOUT ME
I qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 2008, having trained at the University of Southampton. I have almost 20 years experience working within the NHS, working with people of all ages with a wide range of mental health problems. In my NHS work I have specialised in working with adults with severe mental health problems such as psychosis, eating disorders and complex trauma.
In addition to my professional experience, I have also faced my own mental health difficulties, so I understand that tough road to recovery.
I am a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and am registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
I am a registered provider for the following health insurance companies:.
FEES
50 minute appointment - £120
Payment
Payment preferred by BACS transfer prior to sessions. I have the facility for card payments if required.
Cancellation
I would very much appreciate it if you gave me as much notice as possible if you are unable to attend an appointment to allow me to reallocate the time.
Where insufficient notice is given, then a 50% charge will be made to cover costs. I ask for 48 hours notice of cancellation prior to initial assessment appointments and 24 hours notice before therapy sessions. In the circumstance of no notice being given I will charge the full session fee.
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