Question 1

How do I know if I need to see a clinical psychologist? Can I see a counsellor or coach instead?

Accepted Answer

This is a really common question, and the answer is maybe! It depends on what you're looking for. I've tried to provide some useful information below to help you to decide:

Like a psychologist, a counsellor is trained to support people who are going through difficult periods. Traditionally, counselling is designed to be a space for people to talk about and process painful feelings and experiences. Counselling sessions are typically less structured and goal-directed than sessions with a clinical psychologist.

Coaching is generally intended to help people to solve problems and optimise their effectiveness in a particular area of life. Coaches are not always trained to work with mental health problems; they may be more suited to work with people who want help to navigate a specific challenge or life transition.

Clinical psychologists are considered to be experts in understanding and managing mental health problems. We are taught how to develop a sophisticated understanding of why someone's mental health is suffering, and we are trained in various methods of treatment to help people to overcome their difficulties. The "clinical" part of our title is a clue: We tend to work with people who are experiencing "clinically significant" problems. All this really means is that someone's problems are  getting in the way of their life.

Question 2

Why can’t I just talk to a friend?

Accepted Answer

The support offered by a psychologist is very different to the support you’d get from a friend or a family member. A psychologist is a professional who is trained to understand your problem using established theoretical frameworks. As a psychologist talks to you, they are constantly keeping in mind the problem you are trying to solve and applying their knowledge to offer helpful responses, ideas and techniques. A psychologist will not make the sessions about them; they are an objective professional who has no stake in your personal life, other than wanting to help you to solve your problem

Question 3

What type of therapy do you offer?

Accepted Answer

My approach is practical, fairly present-focused and geared towards skilling you up to handle your thoughts and feelings more effectively. This allows you to focus on taking action towards the things you really care about, which for most people, involves relationships, work, health and personal growth. We won’t spend lots of time talking about the past, unless it is useful or necessary for the work we are doing.

If you are interested in the theory underpinning my work, my primary models are CBT and ACT. I also incorporate elements of CFT, DBT and mindfulness. I am trained in EMDR and use this model with certain problems. Like most clinical psychologists, I adopt an integrative approach; the exact treatment you receive will be unique to you.

Question 4

How are your fees set?

Accepted Answer

My fees are set in line with my level of expertise and years of training. The rate I charge covers the work I do face-to-face in sessions as well as the work that goes on "behind the scenes": this includes preparation, supervision, training and writing notes and reports.

I am aware that there may be financial reasons why some people cannot access Clinical Psychology. Where possible, I would like finances not to be a barrier to someone accessing the help they need. I hold a small number of slots for clients who require fees to be reduced on an income assessed basis; please get in touch with me to discuss this and see if I have any reduced fee slots available.

If Clinical Psychology is not affordable for you right now, I urge you to seek help via the public or charity sector. If you are in the UK, you can visit your GP to discuss options, or self-refer to your local NHS talking therapies service. You may also be able to access support via charities such as Mind UK. If you are in Hong Kong, please visit Mind HK to find out about getting help for your mental health in Hong Kong.

Question 5

What are your qualifications? Are you registered with a professional body?

Accepted Answer

I have a doctorate in Clinical Psychology, which is the professional training course for clinical psychologists in the UK. I also have a Masters in Cognitive Neuroscience and an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience. If you would like to learn more about my education, training and experience, please see my LinkedIn profile.

I am registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council, which is the regulatory body for clinical psychologists in the UK. My registration number is PYL33663.

Question 6

What can I expect in my sessions with you?

Accepted Answer

It can be daunting to see a psychologist, especially if it is your first time seeking professional help for your mental health. Reaching out for help is the biggest step; if you have made it that far, I hope to make the rest of the process feel easier for you. In our assessment session, the goal will mostly be information gathering. I will ask you lots of questions to try to get a detailed picture of what is going on for you. This helps me to formulate a treatment plan that has the best chance of success.

In therapy sessions, we will usually discuss new concepts or practice exercises that are designed to help you to manage your problem differently. You will often be given something to go away and try in between sessions; this might be a new technique or something to read or listen to that is relevant to your situation. Sessions should never feel scary; our meetings are not a chance for me to analyse you or break you down. It should feel like you are talking to another human being who has the training to help you to see your problem differently and make the changes you want to see.

Question 7

Can I cancel a session if I need to?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can cancel or reschedule a session if you need to. I have a 48 hour cancellation policy; if you cancel with 48 hours’ notice, you will not be charged for the session. Sessions cancelled at late notice incur the full fee.

Question 8

How many sessions will I need? How do I know when I'm ready to stop?

Accepted Answer

The answer to this question depends on what you are looking for help with. For some problems, people see significant changes within a few weeks of starting therapy, and they only need something fairly short-term to reach their desired outcomes. For others, there may be more complex or longstanding issues that take longer to resolve. My work with clients ranges from targeted interventions lasting a few weeks to more complex, in-depth interventions that last for months or years.

We will set goals at the outset of therapy and we will revisit these regularly to make sure that we are on track. New goals might emerge as you make changes, so we will keep an open dialogue about how you're finding the work to keep it helpful. The aim is not for you to attend sessions forever! Sessions are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to cope better, with the aim of spacing out or stopping sessions when you have reached the place you want to be. I will do my best to guide you on this, but the decision about when to stop sessions ultimately rests with you.

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