There may be a number of reasons why people seek out psychological therapy privately. Sometimes it may be that the type of therapy they would like is unavailable via the NHS or that the waiting times are deemed too long. Sometimes therapeutic work can be used to help people to address problems that have been around for decades and in other cases they may be a fairly recent development due to specific life stressors. Whatever the reasons that leads someone to seek out therapy it is worth understanding that it is important to find a) the right therapist for you and b) the right type of approach. Private therapy can be costly and so funding needs to be a consideration when seeking out any type of therapy. 

 

Assessment 

Usually the first two to four appointments consist of the assessment process; this is to help the Clinical Psychologist understand the difficulties you are experiencing.  The assessment process leads to the development of a formulation which may be presented visually as in a diagram, shared verbally or in a written format. The formulation is an attempt to collate all the factors relating to the development and maintenance of the difficulties a person is experiencing and point to more adaptive and helpful ways for the person to move forward.

 

Therapeutic work 

Some people find that after the initial assessment process they would like to consolidate their understanding by engaging in some self directed work. Typically this involves using some high quality self-help reading material. They may then decide to meet up for review sessions intermittently. Other people may recognise the need for further one to one therapy work and commit to a six session and review process. This may be arranged on a weekly or fortnightly basis. The average amount of time people work in therapy can vary dependent on the approach. However in my practice this is between 12 – 24 sessions. Sometimes it is helpful to include family members in review sessions to help them understand the difficulties a person is experiencing. For some people they may decide for whatever reason, that further therapeutic work is not right for them at this time. This decision is understandable as making meaningful changes to your own life is not something to take lightly. 

 

Although therapy sessions usually take place on a weekly or fortnightly basis for one hour, there are many things that can be done between sessions; this is what is called ‘home practice’. This may involve reading, filling things in worksheets or practising new skills. This will be discussed fully in sessions and contribute to people making the changes they want to happen.

 

Therapy Models

Clinical Psychologists' training involves different models of therapy. The different models of therapy are informed by various theories about how best to understand and help human difficulties. These are some of the approaches that Mindscape can offer in terms of one-to-one therapy and training:

 

Mindfulness Based Approaches

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) developed by Hayes, Strosahl and Wilson (2004)

• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)  (1990)  developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) developed by Mark Williams and John Teasdale (1991)

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) developed by Marsha Linehan in the 1980’s, is a type of cognitive therapy specifically designed to help people with longstanding personality difficulties but can be integrated with other therapies. Skills taught include mindfulness and managing distress and emotions more effectively.

• Compassionate Focussed Therapy was developed by Paul Gilbert (2010)

 

Mindscape can offer individual therapy with a focus on one of these therapies or an integration of them, their principles and practice.

 

Other therapies offered are:

• Cognitive Analytic Therapy developed by Anthony Ryle, (1990). The focus of CAT is in identifying previously learned patterns of thinking and behaviour which affect the individual’s ability to form stable and satisfying relationships and their ability to get on with their lives in a meaningful way.

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) developed by Aaron Beck in the 1960s.

 

Confidentially 

The sessions are completely confidential unless there are particular concerns about an individual’s risk to themselves or to others. Clinical Psychologists need to engage in regular clinical supervision as part of the requirements of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and statutory body the Health Professions Council (HPC). This involves talking to another qualified member of the same profession about the people they work with. Supervision is also confidential and ensures that people receive the most appropriate therapeutic intervention for their particular needs.