My training and qualifications
My training includes a Doctoral degree in Counselling Psychology from Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Strathclyde, a Post Graduate Diploma in CBT from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, a Master of Science in Counselling Studies from The University of Edinburgh and Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology from University College Cork.
I began work as a qualified psychologist in the NHS in 2014, having had previous roles as an Assistant Psychologist, Research Assistant and, of course, trainee Counselling Psychologist for four years before this. I initially worked in Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and then across several adult services, including primary care (IAPT), secondary care – as part of a psychology service aligned with a Community Mental Health Team and in several specialist services. I am a qualified clinical supervisor and regularly supervise clinical and counselling psychologists and CBT therapists.
Current Practice
Over the course of my career, I have predominantly worked with people experiencing depression, anxiety disorders and trauma, and am skilled in treating complex presentations of this type. My most extensive experience has been with presentations such as Panic, Health Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder and worry, Social Anxiety, PTSD and phobias.
I continue to work within the NHS, and am currently Principal Counselling Psychologist in a specialist PTSD service and National Center of Excellence in Berkshire. Here I meet with people living with Complex PTSD as a result of experiences in their lives. I use both Trauma-Focused CBT, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Compassion Focused Therapy in this role and see clients in group and individual settings.
In my private work, I welcome people looking for support with many different problems. I am open to hearing from you about your personal needs and exploring together how I could be of help to you. I have worked with people from an extensive variety of backgrounds, who have come to work on concerns or problems that range from mild to severe.
"I know you have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help me. I shall remain eternally grateful to you."
— Linda, Client
FAQs
Attendance
Sessions are usually booked weekly, unless agreed in advance. Of course there may be times when you or I are away, and we will schedule around this. Towards the end of therapy, you may also decide you don’t need weekly contact but may wish to phase this out gradually, and we can explore the best plan together.
Cancellations
I operate a 48-hour cancellation policy. This means that cancellations that are made more than 48 hours before the therapy appointment will be free of charge, whilst any appointments that are cancelled with less than 48 hours will be charged in full. If you need to cancel an appointment, please let me know as soon as possible. If you would like, we can try to reschedule you for another time in the same week.
Making contact
I understand that it may have been a difficult decision to seek out a therapist, and that even inquiring about the service may be a challenge. I’d like to encourage you to contact me in whatever way feels easiest for you to manage and if there’s anything that would support you in this process, don’t hesitate to let me know.
Prior to any assessment and therapy, I provide a free 20 minute phone consultation for you to be able to explore how I can help you and ask any questions you may have. I hope this will help you to see if I am a good fit for you and if not I hope to point you in the right direction for your needs! Please email me and let me know your availability over the coming week and I will do my best to find a mutually convenient time for us to speak.
If, after our initial call, you would like to book in a treatment session with me, you can let me know by email. We can then choose a start date for our work together.