FAQs

Individual Therapy and Supervision: I currently work online only.

By choosing to see a Clinical Psychologist, you are engaging a professional who has highly specialised training and experience in assessment and therapy for psychological problems.

Clinical psychologists have a minimum of 6 years training that includes an undergraduate degree in Psychology and further clinical training to Doctoral level. Our training includes a wide range of clinical experience in the NHS and equips us to work with people who have both common and complex psychological difficulties.

Clinical Psychologists draw on a variety of psychological models, research findings and treatment guidelines. We take both an empathic and thorough approach to understanding a person and the difficulties they are seeking help with. A core emphasis in this process is on collaborating with the person to develop a shared understanding of the difficulties. This is sometimes referred to as a ‘formulation’. A formulation includes an accurate description of the problems and what might have led to them and it should include details of the person’s strengths, coping strategies and sources of support. We also help understand the persons goals for change and discuss the pros and cons of different intervention options including evidence based treatments. The outcome of this process is an individually designed intervention plan.

A frequently asked question is “how are Clinical Psychologists different to Psychiatrists and Counsellors”.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors with training in mental health diagnosis and treatment. Psychiatrists may or may not have further training in working with specific psychological therapies, whereas psychological therapy is a core aspect of Clinical Psychologists' training and clinical work. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications for mental health problems. In the UK, Clinical Psychologists are not licenced to prescribed medication.

The terms counsellors and psychotherapist are sometimes used to describe any person who offers psychotherapy. There are many excellent counsellors and psychotherapists who are properly trained, supervised and who are registered with professional organisations such as the UKCP, BABCP or BACP. However the titles of counsellor and psychotherapist are not legally protected meaning that anyone can use them, regardless of their training or experience.

Clinical Psychologist is a legally protected title. To practice as a Clinical Psychologist, practitioners must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (link to web site) (HCPC).

Most of my clients refer themselves. Please see the Contact page for my e-mail details and Enquiry Form [link here].

After you make contact, I will call you back to discuss your needs and arrange an appointment for an assessment. If your GP or another health professional refers you, he or she will have asked for your permission before contacting me.  When I receive the referral, I will then contact you directly to arrange an appointment.

This is the process that I will follow:

The aim of this consultation is so that you can briefly tell me about the difficulties that you are experiencing and to find out whether meeting for a face to face assessment would be helpful to you. During the call, I also provide information about practicalities and fee structure. There is no charge for the initial telephone consultation.

The appointment will be confirmed by email and I will send you further information and some questionnaires to look at/fill in prior to the session. The questionnaires are designed to help you and me to get the most out of the assessment session.

Usually between 1 and 3 sessions. The aims of the assessment session(s) include the following: -

• Provide a safe, open, encouraging and non-judgemental space for you to explore why you are seeking help.
• Gain a clearer understanding of you as a person and the issues that you are facing.
• Identify your goals and preferences for therapy.
• Provide an assessment about whether the approaches that I offer are likely to help you achieve change.
• Discuss how many sessions the therapy will take and the frequency of sessions.
• Review safety and risk including self-harm and agree a plan if this is needed.

• I will review the outcome of the assessment with you and discuss the options, including the pros and cons of different interventions. I would also usually write to your GP to let them know I am working with you: I am happy to discuss this further at assessment if you have any concerns about this.
• If I feel that my service is not appropriate for your needs at the moment, I will offer advice and sign posting about other services (including accessing NHS provision).

Some clients like to bring someone with them to the first appointment for support: please let me know if you wish to bring someone with you.  If you have concerns or anxieties about attending your appointment, please let me know so that I can think with you about how best to support you.

The initial assessment session is 80 minutes. Subsequent sessions are usually 50 minutes.

The number of sessions will depend on several factors including what the difficulties are, what approach is needed and your goals. A rough guide is 12 to 24 sessions, with 2-4 follow up sessions. If you have had your difficulties for a long time and/or have multiple problems it is likely to take longer. The number of sessions and a review point will be agreed with you as part of the assessment.

Please contact the me as soon as possible to let me know if you cannot attend. Missed sessions & cancellations within 24 hours of the appointment are likely to be charged at the full rate.

My practice does not provide an out of hours service or emergency support.

If you have an emergency related to your mental health well-being, you should contact NHS services. These services include: Your GP surgery (or out-of hours GP), NHS 111 service, or local hospital A&E department.

I will routinely discuss issues of risk and safety as part of the assessment, and part of this process involves developing a risk plan with you for the duration of therapy.

The Samaritans also provide a 24 hour support line.  Telephone: 116123

Individual Assessment & Therapy Fees:

Self-funded: £90 per 50 minute session*.
Concessions: Individuals receiving benefits & Trainees (CAT/Clin Psy D): £65 per 50 minute session*.
Employer/Other funded: £POA. I do not currently work with private healthcare providers or insurance companies.

*The first assessment appointment is 80 minutes – there are no extra fees for the additional 30 minutes.

The above fees include an assessment and discharge letter to your GP if these are needed. Non-routine or specialist reports & letters requested for other professionals (e.g. Occupational Health, Solicitors etc) will be charged separately, at the same hourly rate as for therapy.
My fee structure will be reviewed yearly.

All sessions will be invoiced on a monthly basis and payment should be made by bank transfer . 

No. I have chosen not to register currently as a “Recognised Provider” with healthcare insurance companies (e.g., BUPA)

I take protecting your data very seriously. I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and compliant with the General Data Protection Requirements (GDPR)in relation to storing & use of your data. I will give you further details of this at the assessment stage.

Your information will be strictly confidential, with the following exceptions:

• If it is my professional opinion that there is an immediate and/or serious risk to you or others. I have a professional obligation to act in these circumstances. This situation is rare and I would always endeavour to agree a plan with you about managing risks before disclosing to the relevant agencies.
• Pre-agreed letters or contact with your GP.
• I am required to receive professional supervision, however information for this purpose is anonymised.

A significant number of people report that psychological therapy helps them to reduce problematic symptoms, gain a better understanding of their difficulties, learn coping strategies or improve functioning in different aspects of their lives (e.g., the ability to engage in valued activities, relationships).

Part of the process I follow involves an assessment of whether the approaches that I offer are likely to help you achieve your goals for change, with advice about alternatives services or approaches if this is needed.

Generally the evidence suggests there are two main factors related to successful therapy. The first is the quality of the relationship between the therapist and the person seeking help. It is critical that you feel understood and that your therapist is warm, genuine, open and non-judgemental. Having a shared understanding of your goals for change and how these goals will be achieved through therapy is also important.

The second factor in successful therapies relates to professional competence and the degree to which the therapist has invested the time and energy it requires to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to help those seeking therapy:

- Professional Registration : I am registered with professional organisations. These organisations stipulate clear guidelines on professional training, behaviour, continuing professional development, supervision of practitioners to ensure safe and effective practice, confidentiality, safeguarding for vulnerable people and children and data protection.

- HCPC: Health and Care Professions Council
- BPS: British Psychological Society
- ACAT: Association of Cognitive Analytic Therapy

- Evidence Base : I review my practice in line with national, research-based clinical guidelines (e.g., NICE: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: www.nice.org.uk ) in order to be able to offer the most effective therapies for specific mental health conditions.

- Ethical : I apply the highest standards of professional and ethical behaviour to all my work.