Starting psychological therapy can often be daunting. We understand that people can feel scared and anxious about starting and we strive to make the process as open and comfortable as possible. 

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​Our staff all share the same core value of providing caring and compassionate therapy. In addition, the rigorous training Clinical Psychologists undertake ensures that you can be confident we use evidence-based approaches and value moral and ethical practice. 

We offer everyone a free 15 minute telephone consultation. During this consultation, we may ask you why you are seeking psychological therapy, a bit about yourself, and your hopes and wishes. We will share with you information about our approach, what we can offer and ideas about what we think might be helpful for you.

To fully understand and make sense of what is happening for you, we offer each individual an assessment. This is a process we do together and is an opportunity to get to know you, your concerns, and what you are hoping to gain from psychological therapy. 

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We have comprehensive training in assessment and formulation, which is a process of making sense of your problems, needs and strengths. We may ask you questions about your upbringing, relationships, life experiences, social circumstances and what is happening in your life currently. This is always optional, but we hope we can provide a safe space in which we can talk about these aspects of your life. We also often focus on issues in the world that affect people, for example experiences of stigma, racism and the environment in which they live.

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During the assessment we will share with you our thoughts and perspectives as this can often help create new meanings and connections, and ultimately the formulation we create together. Therapy can often feel unusual for people as we may not share much about ourselves. We are however open to discussions about this aspect of therapy and your expectations of us. 

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The assessment informs the formulation, which is a joint understanding of the issues that have brought you to therapy. We use our comprehensive knowledge of psychological theory with the details you share to construct the formulation.  The purpose of this is to identify your needs, strengths and the psychological approaches that we think might be helpful to you. Formulations are not set in stone; they are always open to new information and understanding from both parties and we may often adjust them with you beyond the assessment phase.

Each person has an individualised therapy plan built from the formulation. This provides a structure for the sessions. However, this plan is not rigid and is flexible and responsive to any changing needs and difficulties that may arise. 

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As Clinical Psychologists, we are trained in multiple psychological therapies and therefore we can meet most people's needs. Regardless of the therapy we are using, we place great importance being open, genuine, compassionate and flexible. 

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