What I offer
Psychological Therapy
The nature of my training as a Clinical Psychologist means that I am able to use a variety of therapeutic approaches in working with you. I often integrate different therapeutic approaches in order to meet my clients needs. Below are some of the ways in which we might work together.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
I offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which is an extremely well-evidenced therapy for supporting people to recover from a wide range of psychological and mental health difficulties. CBT has been so extensively researched that it is difficult to list the myriad range of problems that it can be helpful for. However commonly experienced difficulties with low mood, anxiety, phobias, depression, stress and sleep problems are just a few of the difficulties that CBT can be helpful for. Working together using CBT will involve identifying patterns of thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and behaviour involved in the difficulties you are experiencing and then learning ways to break the cycles that keep these difficulties going. CBT is a present and future-orientated therapy, that involves working collaboratively with your therapist to move towards your preferred goals.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another well-evidenced therapy that was initially developed to support people to reclaim their lives from the after-effects of a traumatic experience such as a car accident. Over time the helpfulness of EMDR has been demonstrated with difficulties that are not solely related to obviously traumatic experiences, and as such EMDR has been found to help those who experience emotional or psychological difficulties that are rooted in past experience. EMDR is an information processing therapy and not a talking therapy, it involves a therapist supporting you to access memories linked to your difficulties in your own mind, and then allowing the natural adaptive healing power of your mind to move forwards. It is therefore ideal for people who might prefer not to talk in detail about difficult past experiences.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
This therapy, often referred to by it's acronym of 'ACT', is one of a group of more modern types of therapy that has it's focus firmly on living life fully alongside the challenges that can and will arise for most people at some point in their lives. ACT focusses on supporting people to learn ways to be fully present, by learning ways to defuse from difficult thoughts and feelings, to connect with the things that really matter to them in life and to act in accordance with these valued ways of being. Mindfulness has been frequently referred to in the media in recent years, and mindfulness practices can be used as part of ACT.
Supervision
I offer supervision to mental health professionals including Clinical Psychologists in person from central St Albans consulting rooms or remotely. I have been continuously employed in the NHS for many years and currently hold a Prinicipal Clinical Psychologist post with an NHS Trust. As such I have extensive experience providing clinical, managerial and professional supervision to a range of staff. My supervision has been described as compassionate, warm and empowering.