Clinical Psychology

What is Clinical Psychology?

Clinical Psychology is a complex and diverse specialty area within psychology. It addresses a wide range of mental, emotional and behavioural difficulties, applying the science of psychology to the prevention, assessment and intervention of a wide variety of problems and experiences.

Who are Clinical Psychologists?

Clinical Psychologists are trained to work with people across the lifespan, from pre-birth to end of life; from those whose difficulties have started recently to those whose problems have been with them throughout life. Clinical Psychologists are also trained to work with people with high levels of distress and are able to work with other professionals to provide wrap around care.

All Clinical Psychologists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, and you can search for suitably qualified professionals on their website. There are three Clinical Psychologists based at the Dawn Lister Therapy Centre - Dr Ellie Sorrell, Dr Marta Karczewska and Dr Katie Hutchin - they offer assessment and therapy to children, teenagers, adults of all ages, couples, and families.

What is therapy with Clinical Psychologists good for?

Clinical Psychologists work with people of all ages on a wide range of psychological difficulties in mental and physical health with the aim of reducing psychological distress and promote psychological well-being. They often focus on emotions, relationships, adverse life events, problematic behaviours and unusual experiences. Clinical psychologists work with short-term problems, such as difficulties resulting from relationship conflict or work stress, to more serious and often chronic conditions, such as consequences of trauma or problematic substance use. Clients who have been given diagnoses such as anxiety, panic disorder, depression, health anxiety, psychosis, ‘personality disorder’, addiction and PTSD may benefit from sessions with a Clinical Psychologist.

What makes Clinical Psychologists different from many other talking therapists is that they are trained in a range of different therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, EMDR, Compassion Focussed Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Systemic Therapy, Attachment Focussed Therapy and can offer a combination of these to develop the right approach for each individual.

What will happen in my session with a Clinical Psychologist?

When meeting with a Clinical Psychologist, the first session focuses on working together to develop a shared understanding of what is going on in your life, how you’ve come to this point, your strengths and resilience and also why you’re struggling - this process is sometimes called ‘formulation’. The idea is that making sense of your situation helps to lead to decisions about changes that could be made and which therapeutic approaches may help you to do that.

How long is a session?

A session usually lasts for between 50 to 55 mins. Some sessions may be 90 minutes long. Your Clinical Psychologist will inform you about the length of the session before you meet.