Clinical Psychology
Why Choose a Clinical Psychologist?
Finding the right person to support your mental health can feel overwhelming. Understanding the difference between a Clinical Psychologist, counsellor, psychotherapist and psychiatrist can help you choose the approach that's right for you.
Understanding the Different Mental Health Professionals.
When you're looking for support, you may come across several different professional titles. While they all play an important role in mental health care, they each have different training, areas of expertise and approaches.
Counsellor
Counsellors provide a safe, confidential space to talk through specific difficulties such as anxiety, stress, grief, relationship challenges or life changes.
Counselling can be incredibly valuable for exploring difficult emotions and developing coping strategies but it is generally focused on shorter-term support than long term change
Psychotherapist
Psychotherapists help people understand emotional, psychological and behavioural difficulties using a range of therapeutic approaches.
Psychotherapy often explores deeper emotional patterns, past experiences and relationships, supporting longer-term personal growth and emotional wellbeing.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medically qualified doctors who assess, diagnose and treat mental health conditions.
They can prescribe medication and often work with people experiencing more severe or complex psychiatric conditions. Some psychiatrists also provide therapy, although their primary role is usually medical assessment and treatment.
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Psychologists are trained to assess, understand and treat psychological difficulties using evidence-based therapies.
Rather than focusing solely on diagnosis, Clinical Psychologists develop a shared understanding of your experiences, helping you make sense of what has happened, why difficulties may have developed and what can help you move forward.
Unlike psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists do not prescribe medication but often work alongside GPs, psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals where appropriate.
What Makes My Approach Different?
Whoever you choose to work with, you should expect a safe, compassionate therapeutic relationship.
As a Clinical Psychologist, my approach is shaped by several years of doctoral-level training, extensive NHS experience and a strong foundation in psychological research.
Doctoral-Level Training
I completed several years of specialist doctoral training to work across the lifespan with a wide range of psychological presentations, including complex mental health difficulties.
My training combined academic research with several hundred hours of supervised clinical practice.
Evidence-Based Practice
As a Clinical Psychologist, I work from a scientist-practitioner model.
This means every aspect of therapy is informed by current psychological research, ensuring that the work we do together is grounded in approaches that have strong scientific evidence.
A Broad Range of Therapeutic Approaches
Throughout my career I have trained in a variety of evidence-based therapies.
While my work is primarily informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), I also draw upon other therapeutic approaches where appropriate to meet your individual needs.
Individual Psychological Formulation
Rather than simply applying a diagnosis or a standard treatment plan, I work collaboratively with you to develop a psychological formulation.
Together we build an understanding of your experiences, what may have contributed to your difficulties, what keeps them going and how we can create meaningful, lasting change.
No two formulations are the same because no two people are the same.
Extensive NHS Experience
Before establishing Beverley Psychology, I worked for over a decade within NHS mental health services.
During this time I supported adults experiencing a broad range of psychological difficulties, including trauma, complex emotional needs, homelessness and individuals requiring longer-term psychological support.
This experience has helped shape the calm, thoughtful and compassionate approach I bring to every session.
Choosing the Right Therapist.
There isn't one profession that's "better" than another.
The most important factor is finding someone with the right experience, training and therapeutic approach for your individual needs.
If you're unsure whether working with a Clinical Psychologist is the right option, I'd be happy to discuss your situation during an initial conversation.
