Psychological therapy

Starting therapy can feel daunting. I aim to create a safe, private, confidential and non-judgemental space within which to explore difficulties that may be getting in the way of the enjoyment of life.  

In our initial appointment we will begin an assessment and discuss the reasons you are seeking therapy, how the difficulties may have developed and what may be keeping them going. We will also discuss your current methods of coping. Importantly we will also think about what is going well in your life, the things you enjoy and give you pleasure and what things you do, or have done in the past, that give you a sense of fulfilment and thriving. 
Over the course of the sessions we will work together to create a psychological formulation to help you understand yourself better and think about how to move forward. This will be different for each individual.

Common Issues

People and the difficulties they experience are complex and don’t necessarily fit into neat lists or categories. Every person I’ve worked with is an individual with their own unique difficulties and history. For this reason a person might not feel like they quite fit into any of the categories in the list below. I include it though to illustrate the wide range of difficulties that I work with. Please see FAQs page regarding ‘do I have a psychiatric diagnosis?’ for further information.
  • Depression and low mood
  • Anxiety – specific phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic, social anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder
  • Stress and worry
  • Eating difficulties
  • Physical health problems and living with, or adjusting to, a long-term or life-limiting physical health condition
  • Chronic pain and fatigue
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Work stress
  • Low confidence and poor self-esteem
  • Bereavement, loss and grief
  • Assertiveness issues
  • Sleep difficulties

In addition to these common issues, I have a particular interest in working with people experiencing various existential concerns and preoccupations. Please see ‘Areas of interest’ on the About me page for further information.

I work with adults 18+.

Models of Therapy

There are many different models of psychological therapy and I work with my clients collaboratively to develop an approach that is individually tailored to them and their needs. 

As a clinical psychologist, my training covered a range of different therapeutic modalities. I draw on many of these models and ideas when making sense of why a person may be feeling, thinking or behaving as they are. I then work collaboratively with that person to come up with a way of supporting them in making any changes they feel may be helpful. 

My training covered, and my approach is therefore to some extent informed by, systemic and psychodynamic ideas. However I primarily work with clients using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Depending on the issues that a person brings to therapy, this could be a more traditional form of CBT. Alternatively it might be a ‘third wave’ cognitive behavioural therapy such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT - which is pronounced as the word ACT) or Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). 
Partly inspired by my interest in the ACT model, I have come to appreciate the importance of values in leading a rich, full and meaningful life. I therefore consider myself a values-orientated therapist. This means that, as well as talking about the difficulties that a person is struggling with and what they’d like to change, we talk about what direction they would like to move towards.   

Other areas of interest for me include existential ideas and, in particular, how we can live a life of meaning and purpose. I have a blog at www.alifemoremeaningful.com for those who are interested in this area. 

I am also a passionate believer in the importance of the natural world in our emotional health and wellbeing, and I am interested in ecotherapeutic approaches. Where I can, I incorporate these ideas into discussion within sessions and actively encourage implementing them outside of sessions.    

Coaching

In coaching, I use my knowledge of psychological models and theories and apply these to help people reach their full potential. People who come for coaching are not necessarily experiencing clinically significant emotional distress, but rather seeking to live a richer, fuller and more meaningful life and to optimise their emotional wellbeing.

I also run group workshops online for people experiencing death anxiety and existential concerns. See the Meaningful Life Foundation page for more information. These workshops are not intended to be psychological therapy. 
                                                           
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