Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Clinical Psychologist?

Clinical Psychologists integrate clinical experience, science, theory and empathy to support people to make genuine, positive change in their lives. The three-year doctorate qualification trains Clinical Psychologists to be skilled in working with a range of people, including adults, older adults, children and young people.

Clinical Psychologists offer specialist therapeutic interventions (sometimes called ‘talking therapies’) to help you manage emotional difficulties such as anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, childhood difficulties, experiences of trauma, bereavement and loss. Or, perhaps, simply feeling a sense of ‘stuckness’ or disconnection from the world and others.

I work integratively, which means I draw on a number of evidence-based, client-focused approaches that I tailor to your unique needs. These include Compassion-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as well as Systemic, Narrative and attachment models. I work with mind and body to support personal healing and the parent-infant relationship.

Clinical Psychologists also attend to the relationship between client and therapist, as this relationship is key to you feeling best placed to make meaningful change in your life. This is why offering a containing, non-judgmental space is vital. I have skills and knowledge to share but you are the expert of your life and experience.

Clinical Psychologists are bound to abide by strict professional guidelines from the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) and the British Psychological Society. They are also required to have regular clinical supervision with a qualified clinical psychologist to ensure a high standard of professional and reflective practice.

Do Clinical Psychologists prescribe medication?

No - medication is prescribed by a Psychiatrist, a medically qualified doctor with additional training in Psychiatry. Clinical Psychologists are trained by the NHS, like doctors and nurses.

What will sessions involve?

I offer therapy over video-link or the phone. This means I am completely accessible to busy parents juggling competing demands and sometimes, a new baby! In some circumstances I may be able to carry out sessions in your home. This will be arranged on a case-by-case basis depending on your needs.

I will ask for some brief details via an Intake Form. We will then have one or two assessment sessions. This gives me a chance to get to you know you, your hopes for therapy, your interests and strengths, and what has brought you to make this step. I will also let you know how I work, and we can agree together if further sessions would be helpful. If at any point I feel that something or someone else would better meet your needs I will let you know, to ensure you get the best help.

What do you charge?

The initial therapy session is one hour long and subsequent sessions are all 50 minutes. The fee per session is £120. I am prepared to consider a reduced rate where needed. I also accept health insurance – please let me know if this applies to you. How often we meet depends on each person, but I usually meet clients weekly at the same time. In some cases, I can offer flexibility around this depending on your needs. For some clients, I move to fortnightly sessions at a later point.

What about confidentiality?

I abide by the HCPC and BPS codes of practice and hold all personal information securely in accordance with GDPR guidelines. Confidentiality is maintained for all our sessions and records except if I am required to disclose information by a court of law, or if to do so would protect you or others from significant harm. I will always endeavour to discuss this with you first.