Why Therapy?

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It is often a difficult process to reach a decision to seek therapy. More often than not many solutions have already been tried. It can then be a daunting prospect to speak to a stranger about emotive, personal issues. I believe it is important to respect the courage it takes to ask for help and to raise difficult topics, as well as the strengths, resources and personal experiences each person brings to the solution of their dilemma.
Psychological therapy offers a regular and confidential space to explore difficulties in order to seek understanding and develop ways to move forward. Therapy can be helpful to overcome upsetting early life experiences, situational stressors such as moving country, unemployment, divorce or bereavement, as well as traumatic events that can trigger a number of mental health difficulties, for which psychological therapy has been shown to be effective.
I am trained to work across all ages and my approach is primarily informed by cognitive-behavioural therapy and EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), though I also take into consideration the systems people live within, including, but not limited to, family and culture. 
If you are uncertain about meeting a psychologist or simply want to find out more about mental health and therapy, I have selected a number of useful links, which include helplines, self-help manuals, a free online CBT programme and information about mental health related issues. You can also read people's experience of working with me in the testimonials section.

Adults

People come to therapy for a variety of reasons, such as feelings of depression, low self-esteem and various forms of anxiety, as well as obsessions, compulsions, phobias, eating disorders, irritability or aggression and somatic complaints (such as unexplained aches and pains). Any of these difficulties can reach a point when they start getting in the way of you being able to live your life as you would like to. 
Sometimes it is other people who notice changes in your behaviour, or relationships can become problematic.
These difficulties can also affect, and be affected by, other areas of your life such as your relationships, your work or your enjoyment of leisure activities. Particular life events, past or present, and life circumstances can make certain times of your life more difficult.
Therapy can help you identify what bothers you most and how you can tackle it to make improvements in your quality of life.

Young People

Adolescence and young adulthood can be an exciting time. However, it is also a time filled with personal questions and external pressures, as well as the gradual separation from the close family unit and developing independence. This can be a particularly stressful time for some young people and their families. Certain circumstances, like moving schools, the birth of a sibling, divorce or other family problems as well as a variety of upsetting personal experiences can make it more tricky than usual and psychological difficulties can appear, such as depression or anxiety. Young people’s relationships with their peer group as well as with their bodies, food, alcohol or drugs can also become problematic.
Young people can be seen on their own in therapy to help manage and overcome these problems, and rules of confidentiality apply. Parents, family or school can also be included if deemed appropriate and helpful.

Children & Parents

Being a parent can be stressful at the best of times. Young infants and children can sometimes show signs of emotional or behavioural difficulties, which make parenting even more difficult. 
A child’s needs and abilities change and develop rapidly. Their family and their environment can have an enormous impact on their wellbeing and it is therefore important to consider their context and significant relationships. Therapy provides a space to identify a child’s needs and difficulties as well as highlight their strengths and resources in order to determine how best to support their psychological development and wellbeing within the context of their family. 
Therapy sessions will usually include some talking with the parents but can also include play, drawing and other creative methods to help younger children express their thoughts and feelings. Depending on the child’s age and needs he or she could be seen alone or else the work could be done together, or indeed only with the parents.​

Pregnancy & Babies

Sometimes even the prospect of becoming a parent can be fraught with difficult emotions and the early weeks and months after a baby’s birth are often exhausting. Whilst most people will experience this as stressful to some degree, some circumstances or life experiences can leave many feeling exceptionally vulnerable. Therapy can help parents-to-be and parents of infants work towards increased wellbeing and a better start for the infant’s early life when it feels particularly difficult.

Models of Therapy

 As a clinical psychologist I am trained in various models of psychological therapy and across all age ranges, as well as in doctoral level research skills, which help me to make sense of the evidence for using different approaches effectively. I have been trained in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) by some of the leading scientist-practitioners from the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre, as well as in applied systemic theory at the Tavistock Centre. My clinical practice has also been strongly influenced by my professional experience at the Tavistock Centre, internationally recognised for its excellence in providing clinical services as well as academic training in systemic and psychodynamic therapy. More recently I trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) at the Institut Français d'EMDR, the only recognised training in France, endorsed by Francine Shapiro's EMDR Institute in the USA, EMDR Europe and EMDR France. 
​Beyond theoretical models, a fundamental stance of empathic, respectful and non-judgemental listening forms the basis of my work as well as promoting a sense of collaboration and creativity in developing an intervention that makes sense to the people I work with, suiting each person’s needs and preferences.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)​

CBT is a model-driven, structured approach, which focuses on treating identified current problems. An understanding of the development and maintenance of psychological symptoms is achieved collaboratively by examining the interaction between thoughts, feelings and behaviour in the here-and-now. It also rests on an awareness of historical and environmental influences. Often it is useful to notice vicious circles and other maintaining factors, as well as identifying unhelpful thinking styles that may have developed from a difficult experience or belief system. Solutions are found in changing patterns of behaviour and thinking styles in order to improve emotional wellbeing, as well as developing strategies and learning tools to better manage emotions.  
This model lends itself to the development of self-help manuals and computerised programs, which can be found on the internet (see the self-help page).

EMDR

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing and has its origins in treating PTSD, though it is now used more widely to treat a range of psychological difficulties. EMDR is based on targeting and processing specific traumatic memories, which are not encoded the same way by the brain as more 'normal' memories due to the often overwhelming feelings felt at the time. They tend to remain in a more primitive, and sometimes non-verbal, form and can evoke strong feelings when triggered, as though the event was being experienced again. This results in often overwhelming, or 'oversensitive' reactions in the present in relation to events or triggers that are in some (often minor) way reminiscent of the original trauma.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements similar to those we make in REM sleep, to help the brain reprocess these undigested memories whilst remaining safe and connected to the present. Resolution is reached when the original memory no longer evokes the strong feelings.

Systemic therapy​

Systemic theory was developed out of communication theories and later gave rise to family therapy. It focuses on locating problems between people, in the interaction, rather than within a person and places emphasis on the context and the various systems surrounding a problem, including family relationships, belief systems, wider social structures and cultural differences. It can be used as an approach with individuals as well as with families or organisations. Solutions are sought through identifying patterns of interactions and exploring different ways of relating to one another or indeed with the "problem". It allows for multiple perspectives and encourages people to develop their own solutions that are adapted to their circumstances.

​Psychodynamic therapy​

Psychodynamic therapy is informed by developments in psychoanalytic thinking and has an intra-psychic focus, seeking to understand the influence of early experiences on our current patterns of relating and psychological functioning. Through seeking to understand the ways in which we respond to, and protect ourselves from, difficult emotional experiences, the influence of early relationship traumas can be examined and worked through in therapy.