Psychological Therapy
About Therapy
As a Clinical Psychologist and qualified CAT Practitioner, I am able to draw on a range of therapeutic modalities to tailor the approach to best suit your needs. The first step is to complete an assessment in order to develop a thorough understanding of you as a person and the difficulties you have been experiencing, as well as your strengths. This will then inform the integrative treatment plan which we will discuss and agree together.
Please see further information below to learn more about the assessment process and the types of therapy I am qualified to offer you.
Introduction
Assessment Sessions
During the assessment I will ask you some questions about yourself and what has brought you to therapy and you will have chance to say what is important to you. I might ask you to complete a questionnaire, during, or prior to the session to help gather further information. We will discuss what you would like to gain from therapy, as well as different treatment options, enabling you to make an informed decision about how you would like to move forward.
Cognitive Analytic Therapy
In CAT we explore your patterns of relating to yourself and others, how these have developed, and the ways in which they impact on you and your relationships.
CAT helps you to recognise ways to change patterns that seem to repeat and get in the way of achieving emotional well-being. CAT typically lasts between 16 and 24 sessions.
For further information on CAT please see the ACAT website
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CBT is an evidence based treatment that looks at how our thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and behaviours interact to form vicious cycles that keep problems like anxiety and low mood going. It is a practical and structured approach aimed at breaking these cycles and reducing your levels of distress. CBT often involves completing tasks between sessions to ensure you gain the most from therapy.
CBT has shown to be effective in a range of mental health conditions including anxiety and depression.
You can find out more about CBT here
Additional Therapeutic Modalities
I often work integratively, incorporating techniques from a range of therapeutic models including (but not limited to) those listed below:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Mindfulness
In ACT, there is a focus on concepts such as the acceptance of difficult emotions and the pursuit of individual values. This approach helps people to observe their thought processes in a non-judgmental way rather than engaging with the content of the thoughts.
CFT draws on evolutionary theory as well as cognitive processes to help us understand the way we think. It is particularly useful for those with high levels of self-blame and self-criticism, which often underlie mental health difficulties.
Mindfulness is a both a standalone technique and one that can be incorporated into other therapeutic models. Mindfulness aims to focus our attention in the present moment without fear or judgment.
Benefit from my professional experience and wide range of psychological services.
