Nicola The Psychologist

What is clinical psychology?

Clinical psychology is the application of academic and research psychology (the study of how we think, feel, behave and relate to others) to clinical situations. Clinical Psychologists are evidence-based health professionals, who are trained in research, therapy, supervision, teaching and consultation. Our training in interpreting the evidence base and working with multiple therapies allows us to work with a wide range of people.

how do clinical psychologists train?

All Clinical Psychologists must hold an undergraduate degree in psychology, a minimum of 2 years relevant postgraduate experience, and a clinical doctorate in psychology. Training includes independent research, and clinical training working in a range of therapeutic approaches across the lifespan and with a wide variety of difficulties.

Are psychologists regulated?

Practitioner Psychologists in the UK are legally required to register with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), who hold a register of psychologists at www.hpc-uk.org. Professionals regulated by the HCPC must meet standards for training, conduct and skills; you can also contact the HCPC if you have any serious unresolved complaints about a health professional. Please check the HCPC register before starting work with any applied psychologist.

who do clinical psychologists work with?

Clinical Psychologists are trained to work with all age groups; with people with common difficulties such as bereavement and poor sleep, mental health problems, learning disability and other cognitive problems (including dementia), and physical health problems (such as pain and unexplained medical symptoms). Most Clinical Psychologists will choose to specialise following training.

what are some of the reasons people seek therapy?

People decide to enter therapy for very different reasons - there is no right answer to this! Therapy can be a helpful way to work on something that is bothering you; it may be a way to develop some area you would like to enhance further in your life; or you may have received a recommendation, for example by a medic who is aware of the potential benefit.

Some of the common difficulties people see me for are:

• Low mood and depression
• Low self-esteem
• Anxiety, phobias and panic
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Psychosis (e.g. seeing or hearing things that aren't there, believing things that others don't believe to be true)
• Difficulties relating to or with other people (sometimes referred to as personality disorder)
• Difficulties regulating ones own emotions (sometimes referred to as borderline or emotionally unstable personality disorder)
• Physical health problems with no medically recognised explanation or cure, e.g.:
  • Non-epileptic seizure
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

People also chose to work with me to:

• Develop strategies to identify and reach their goals
• Develop strategies to feel happier, more content, and more connected in their day-to-day life
• Develop relaxation, mindfulness or stress-management skills to cope with a hectic lifestyle

what can i expect in an initial consultation?

I initially meet with people for a 50 minute consultation session. The purpose of this consultation is to develop a joint understanding of the difficulties you are experiencing, as well as your aims, expectations and preferences for the work. Based on this, I am able to think carefully and honestly about whether I am able to help you, and if so, to develop a plan for the therapy or coaching. If I do not feel I am in a position to help, I will always try to recommend a professional who I feel would be more suited.

To enable this I will ask a lot of questions. These may include:

• Asking about the difficulties you are experiencing, how they are affecting you, and how you have been coping with them
• Learning more about who you are, and what may have gone on in your life
• Learning about events and circumstances in your past and present which may have left you more vulnerable to the difficulty you are experiencing (or which may have helped you to develop useful strengths)
• Asking about what is going well in your life, and about your values, aims and goals

Most people prefer to attend the consultation by themselves, but you are very welcome to bring someone with you for support if you would like.

what can i expect in psychological therapy?

Psychologists use a process called formulation. This involves using the information from the assessment, along with knowledge from the theory and research of psychology, to build a hypothesis of how the difficulties you are experiencing developed, and how they are maintained. We aim to work together with you to share and develop the formulation.

Many psychological therapies aim to help you develop strategies and skills to help you to overcome the difficulties you are experiencing. You may be asked to complete tasks in between sessions, to give you an opportunity to try out new ways of doing things and to work towards the goals you have set.

what kinds of therapy do psychologists offer?

Psychologists use the evidence base and their research knowledge to select the therapeutic approach which they consider will be most helpful. Some of the psychological therapies which I have experience with, and regularly use or am influenced by include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp)
• Schema Therapy
• Positive Psychotherapy
• Narrative Therapy
• Mindfulness
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Behavioural Family Therapy (BFT)
• Systemic Therapy

I often use an integrative approach - that is, combining my therapeutic skills in an individually tailored way to suit the individual and the formulation we have reached together.

What is the Difference between Psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists?