Psychological Therapy & Assessment
Evidence-based therapy and assessment available face to face in Liverpool city centre or remotely
Therapy
Psychological therapy provides a space for the client and the therapist to work together to help the client to develop the tools they need to meet their goals and overcome whatever challenges they are facing. Psychological therapy can draw on a range of different psychological approaches tailored to the needs of the client.
Psychological therapy usually involves a series of weekly or fortnightly appointments, lasting 50 minutes each.
Assessment
Psychological assessment involves a session or two focused on understanding the needs of the client, their challenges, their strengths and their goals. The aim of an assessment is for the client and the therapist to come up with a plan for how best the client can meet their psychological goals. This plan may include therapy or other forms of support.
Psychological assessment can also be used to provide evidence of someone’s difficulties as part of a formal process such as fitness for work, insurance claims, benefits or pension applications et cetera.
Common Issues
I work with adults experiencing a wide range of psychological difficulties. At some point in our lives, all of us feel overwhelmed and as if we can’t cope as well as we would like.
Some common psychological issues that people experience include:
- Anxiety– avoiding things, feeling like something bad is going to happen, worrying a lot about the future, experiencing strong physical sensations like heart racing
- Low mood/Depression– not enjoying things, lacking motivation, thinking negatively, being self-critical
- Trauma/painful memories– feeling like you are stuck in the past reliving past traumas, having nightmares, avoiding reminders of the past
- Intense emotions– overwhelming anger, sadness or grief et cetera
Challenging Situations
Many people seek assessment and therapy when their issues begin to affect their daily functioning, relationships, or overall wellbeing.
Psychological issues can be caused by a range of different, challenging situations including:
Changes and pressures
- Adjustment to major life changes
- Relationship difficulties
- Physical health problems
- Work stress
Loss and difficult experiences
- Traumatic experiences
- Bereavement
- Existential crises
How Psychological Therapy Can Help
Different types of therapy are suitable for different psychological issues. As a qualified Doctor of Clinical Psychology I am trained to customise my approach to the client’s specific needs. My colleagues include experienced Counsellors, trained to listen to the needs of the client in a compassionate and responsive way. All of these therapies are based on extensive scientific evidence and used commonly in the NHS and private psychology.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
A practical, forward looking therapy which aims to connect people with the things they value most in life. ACT helps people who are experiencing painful thoughts and feelings to relate to them differently. When people are able to tolerate distress, they can do what matters to them and live a meaningful life, even in very difficult situations.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT explores how thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and physical sensations influence one another. It helps people identify unhelpful patterns, develop more balanced ways of thinking, and build practical skills to cope with life’s challenges. By making small, meaningful changes, people can improve their wellbeing and feel more confident in managing difficulties.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
A powerful modern treatment for trauma. EMDR uses memory processing techniques to help people feel less distressed by past traumatic experiences or fears about the future so they can move on with their lives. One of the strengths of EMDR is that it does not require people to talk a lot about their trauma for it to be effective.
Person-Centred Counselling
A supportive form of counselling which provides a safe and non-judgemental space to explore difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The counsellor listens carefully and seeks to understand each person’s individual perspective, without directing them or telling them what to do. This can help people develop greater self-understanding, recognise their own strengths, and find ways forward that feel right for them.
Integrative Psychological Therapy
A flexible approach which draws on ideas and techniques from different types of psychological therapy. Rather than using one model for every difficulty, integrative therapy is tailored to each person’s needs, circumstances, and goals. It can help people understand the patterns underlying their difficulties, develop practical ways of coping, and make meaningful changes in their lives.
Fees and Initial Consultation
Therapy and assessment sessions cost £120. I accept all major insurers including Bupa and AXA. A free, brief consultation is available on request to answer any questions you may have about therapy or assessment.
If you would like to enquire about psychological assessment or therapy, please get in touch