Anxiety
We are living in times with various external pressures and stressors. This could leave us feeling trapped or stuck and cause us anxiety. Anxiety can take on many different forms …
My Professional Background
I am a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, registered with the British Psychological Society and Health & Care Professions Council. I began practicing in South Africa in 1994 and, since 2001, have practiced in England.
I currently work solely in Private Practice. Until the end of 2014, I held a part-time post within the NHS as a Senior Clinical Psychologist working in the more severe end of Mental Health in Rehab and Recovery Team and Acute Care Services.
I have many years’ experience in private practice, having worked with and treated a diverse group of people suffering from moderate to severe levels of depression, anxieties, panic attacks and obsessive compulsive behaviour. Working in different organisations enabled me to gain specialist skills in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Health Anxiety, Autistic spectrum Disorder as well as Personality Disorders.
I have been directly involved in the development of viable systems and processes such as career developmental planning, involving senior clinicians, as well as supervising on clinical and organisational matters
As clinical supervisor, my work involved working with Clinical Psychologist Master degree students at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. I also supervised Trainee Clinical Psychologists on the Oxford and University of East Anglia Doctoral Clinical Psychology Courses. Throughout my career, I have supervised various senior clinical psychologists and other professional groups.
About
When is psychological therapy required?
Psychological therapy is required when you are living in a permanent state of distress or anxiety – leaving you feeling stuck or trapped. You don’t feel in control, you are overly anxious and you avoid or put tasks off. The distressing experience or feeling may be cyclic, but difficult to get rid of – especially when your day-to-day functioning begins to be affected.
The reasons for the onset of psychological difficulties may be related to sudden stresses such as bereavement or traumatic life changes. In other situations, problems may be linked to longer standing difficulties, such as painful childhood experiences. Psychological problems may also build up over time inadvertently and be brought to a head by the proverbial last straw.
What to expect?
Psychological therapy starts with an assessment in the first session – discussing the difficulties you have had or are experiencing. This will enable me to establish which psychological approach would be best suited, as well as the number of sessions you might find helpful in treating your difficulty.
In practice, the first assessment session allows you the space and time to communicate your difficulties. This is normally done through guided questioning. The assessment has a dual purpose: to give me an overall understanding of the difficulties while enabling you to assess if you felt heard and understood. At the end of the initial assessment, you will receive a generalised summary of my clinical impressions. At this point it will be determined if this service is suited to your needs or not. Should the therapy be continued, an initial number of sessions will be contracted, commencing the therapeutic intervention.
Common problems people might wish to seek help for
If you experience one or more of the following psychological difficulties, you may require therapy:
Anxiety:
Generalised Anxiety, Health Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Phobias, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Mood disorders:
Depressive Disorders
Developmental Disorders:
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Other psychological difficulties also include:
Low self esteem or loss of confidence, Stress, Feelings of despair, Obsessions with ruminative thoughts
Therapies
Understanding psychological therapies
Psychological therapy can be defined as ‘the talking cure’. It is the treatment that helps people deal with their problems by gaining a better understanding of themselves, the way they …
My Psychological Therapeutic approach
I was trained in a variety of psychological models, but my preferred way of working is within a Systemic Therapeutic framework in combination with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). Although I …
Client group
I have a vast clinical experience of the therapeutic management of clients ranging from 17 years and older. As we go through different developmental stages it could complicate our lives …
Confidentiality
Being a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, I adhere to the Professional and Ethical Standards of the British Psychological Society and Health & Care Professions Council. I view confidentiality of the utmost importance, which means that all the information discussed within the therapeutic process is kept confidential.
Should a request to supply a report or letter be required, you as a client will first be consulted. Except for a full psychological assessment report, only essential information will be provided to the referrer or health insurer. Please note there are exceptions when it comes to confidentiality. I am required by law to disclose information when concerns involve child protection issues. If in doubt, this can be discussed with me in your first session.
Hours and Fees
Who can refer?
Most of the clients I see in my practice are self-referrals. Referrals are also accepted from General Practitioners, Specialist Consultants and qualified Health Professionals. Referrals are also accepted from health insurers and the legal profession. I do not provide expert reports, but do deliver psychological therapy as indicated by such reports.
Hours and Fees
Practice hours fall within the normal working hours on Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays. In order to be more flexible, after-hours sessions are also available on request, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Fees are discussed on an individual basis. Payments in the form of cash and cheques as well as health insurance payments are accepted.
Themes of interest
Men and Depression
Men and Depression by Dr Lawrence Howells, Chartered Clinical Psychologist When people are depressed they tend to feel down for the majority of the time. They find that things they …
Depression
How can we understand depression? It is important that we distinguish between feeling depressed and having a depressive illness/depression. Feeling “depressed” can be an everyday feeling and may include such …