Why choose a Clinical Psychologist?

A clinical psychologist is someone who is trained in assessing and understanding a broad range of areas relating to people’s emotional difficulties (their mental health). We all have a mental health, just like we have a physical health, and at times we need support to help us manage at our best. Clinical psychologists can assess many factors that contribute to the development of an emotional difficulty, including life experiences, styles of thinking or difficulties related to thinking, relationships and social skills. How a problem develops and what keeps it going is the focus of psychological intervention.

Clinical Psychologist is a protected title achieved following a long process of training and work experience. We are trained in many areas of psychological theory, intervention and research and how to apply this knowledge to reduce emotional distress. Our knowledge and training means we provide up to date evidence-based practice. I have completed an Undergraduate Degree in Psychology, a Masters Degree in Psychological Research, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. I have also accessed further training since qualifying as part of my continued professional development. As a result I am able to assess and provide interventions for a wide range of presentations. I am also trained to offer a variety of therapy models, which will mean I can tailor my approaches to each individual child and family.

Clinical Psychologists are also required to register with the Health Care Professions Council. Our practice is highly regulated in order to ensure our clients are treated safely. You can check if a practitioner is registered appropriately by visiting https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/

What to expect from me.

Initial Telephone Consultation

Free of charge, we can talk on the phone as a starting point to make introductions, think about the difficulties you are facing, and whether my skill set will meet your needs. Emotional and behavioural difficulties can be worrying and challenging to understand, and you may not be sure of the best way to intervene. I would always recommend reaching out for more information and support at the early stages of any concerns. I aim to offer an informal, non-judgemental starting point to help you make the right choice of action for you or your child, and will be able to help signpost you to other services if more appropriate for your needs.

Assessment

If you feel I am the right person to help, we will start with an assessment session to better explore the difficulties you and / or your child is experiencing. This will usually involve discussing family history and life experiences in order to help understand the development of the problem. I will be able to explain the variety of therapy interventions I am able to provide, and we can work together to make a plan and a set of goals for ongoing intervention.

Intervention

Therapy sessions are usually up to 60 minutes long, but will be tailored to meet the needs of the individual if this is not tolerable. We may choose to meet weekly or fortnightly, and will agree a number of sessions before we review the progress and decide how to continue. In my experience the most effective intervention comes from collaboration and communication; if the approach does not feel helpful we can discuss this at any time. You are under no obligation to commit to attending therapy if you decide not to continue.

My clinics are based in a relaxed, quiet office in Littlehampton, with bathroom and kitchen facilities and a comfortable waiting area. The location is accessible by public transport (ten minutes walk from the train station) and there are car parks and on-street parking right next to the building.

Appointments can also take place within the schools that I am currently linked to, and I am able to offer home visits (with consideration of travel and time, please see Fees page for information).

I am able to offer consultation to other professionals involved, such as school staff, however I will not share your information with anyone else unless agreed and appropriate. During our initial assessment session I will provide you with my documents outlining my approach to confidentiality and information governance.