The first step for most people is to send me an email introducing themselves and telling me a bit about what they want. Then we can either arrange a 15 minute free consultation call to discuss further, or go ahead with booking an initial assessment session. After the assessment the client and I decide if we should proceed with therapy.

Therapy and assessment appointments last for 50 minutes. Typically I meet with clients once a fortnight.

I offer face to face appointments at my office in Liverpool city centre, or remote appointments via video or telephone. The research evidence suggests that remote appointments work as well as face to face, but more people opt for face to face.

No, the types of therapy I work with focus more on what people can do differently in the present to better cope with the challenges they are facing. They do not depend on talking a lot about painful things from the past.

The average number of sessions I would see someone for is around 12, but it can vary a lot depending on how helpful the client is finding it. I am usually happy to extend beyond 12 if both the client and I agree it is helpful.

A Clinical Psychologist is a professional who specialises in helping people who are in distress to improve their psychological wellbeing. The most common way they do this is through therapy. They are trained in a wide range of approaches and to work with a wide range of issues.

Clinical Psychologists have to obtain a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) to use the title. Most Clinical Psychologists train and work for at least eight years before they qualify. Clinical Psychologists have to train as both scientists and therapists to ensure that their work is based on the best available evidence.

A counsellor is a trained professional who supports people experiencing emotional, relational, or psychological difficulties to improve their wellbeing. They do this through talking therapy, offering a safe, confidential space to explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Counsellors are trained to work with a wide range of issues and to draw on different therapeutic approaches depending on each person’s needs.

Professional counsellors typically complete several years of training and supervised practice before qualifying. They are required to hold professional registration which set standards for ethical practice and ongoing professional development. Their work is informed by established psychological theories and research, alongside a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship as a catalyst for change.

Clinical Psychologists do not prescribe medication, that would normally be done through a GP or psychiatrist.

This is not a crisis service; if you need urgent help for your mental health but it is not an emergency, call 111. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.

I do, although depending on the particular issue there may be more appropriate services. If you would like to discuss this, please get in touch with more details.

My areas of specialty include personal injury and clinical negligence, employment-related matters, victim impact and criminal injury, and immigration and asylum. However, I also write psychological assessment reports to support people in a range of different situations, including issues relating to work, insurance and legal matters. A report can provide evidence of the psychological difficulties someone is experiencing and their impact on day-to-day life. As everyone’s needs are different, please get in touch to discuss what you need and whether I can help. You can also read more about my medico-legal psychology services here.

I accept instructions from solicitors, agencies, private individuals and other organisations. If you are unsure whether I can assist with a particular instruction, please get in touch with some brief details about the case.

Assessments can often be arranged within the same week. Reports are typically provided within two weeks of the assessment, provided that the relevant records and questions have been supplied. If there is a particular deadline, please include it when requesting a quotation.

Yes. Remote assessments are available where appropriate, and face-to-face appointments can be arranged at my private clinical offices in Liverpool.

Everything we discuss is confidential. However, confidentiality may need to be broken if you tell us that you or someone else has committed a serious crime, or if we believe that someone is at risk of serious harm. In these circumstances, we may need to share information with the relevant authorities. Where possible, we would discuss this with you first.

This therapy service complies with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act. If you opt for appointments with us then we store the minimum amount of personal data necessary to provide a high quality and safe therapy service. Data is stored securely. More information about data handling is available on request.

The three resources I most commonly recommend to my clients are:

1) The ACT self-help book ‘The Happiness Trap’ by Russ Harris

2) The free World Health Organisation illustrated guide to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy called ‘Doing What Matters in Times of Stress’

3) The mindfulness smartphone app ‘Smiling Mind’. This app is designed by research psychologists and is free.