The main scope of my work in private practice in Worcestershire is the provision of high quality, evidence-based therapy to clients of working age. Essentially, this means that your treatment will be guided by a treatment model supported by research.
Dr Sophie Newman Worcestershire Psychologist
Making Sense of the PASTMaking Changes in the PRESENTMaking the Most of your FUTUREAssessment
Following an initial no obligation phone consultation, we will discuss whether you may benefit from attending an initial assessment appointment.
The assessment offers you an opportunity to talk to me in detail about your difficulties and how they are impacting on your life. For example, you may no longer feel able to socialise or even go out to work due to low mood or anxiety. I will also be keen to explore how your difficulties may have developed and what factors may be involved in keeping the difficulties from going away. We will then discuss options for therapy and you will be given information regarding the likely course of treatment. I will also be keen to discuss treatment goals with you and for us to consider practicalities such as appointment frequency.
Importantly, the assessment offers us both an opportunity to see whether we would work well together. It is essential that you feel comfortable talking to me and that you feel safe and supported during your sessions.
Formulation
As a Clinical Psychologist, one of the core skills I have been trained to use is formulation.
The main aim of the formulation is to guide the intervention / therapy work that follows. I often describe the formulation as similar to completing a jigsaw. It is often added to as we go along and new information comes to light.
We will work collaboratively on your formulation as a way of making sense of your life story. It will take account of many different factors including previous life experiences, relationships and so on. Usually, clients find the process of formulating their difficulties an interesting one and describe it as helpful to see their difficulties on paper rather than solely in their head.
CBT Psychologist Worcestershire
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is one of the talking therapies I frequently use when working with clients. Although it takes account of past experiences and the impact these have had on a person’s life, it is more concerned with how the difficulties are being maintained in the present.
At the start of therapy, I frequently give clients written information about the difficulty they are struggling with. I believe that with greater understanding and knowledge comes a greater sense of empowerment.
Setting goals is a further important aspect at the outset of therapy. This helps to ensure that we share a joint understanding on what you want to achieve from your sessions. During therapy, you will have the opportunity to learn a number of skills which will help with the difficulty you are struggling with. For example, you may learn how to challenge negative thoughts or practice a breathing technique to help with anxiety. Between sessions, you will be encouraged to practice these skills, in order to maximise your progress in therapy. CBT is a time limited and structured therapy. The number of sessions required will be dependent on a number of factors including the severity of your difficulties and how much you are able to commit to the therapeutic process.
EDMR Psychologist Worcestershire
Treatment for Trauma
A psychological trauma can occur when you have experienced either a single traumatic event e.g. a serious accident or have been subjected to repeated trauma which has overwhelmed your ability to cope. It is very understandable to experience distress following a traumatic event and in most cases, recovery takes place over the days and weeks that follow. In some cases, however, the effects of trauma do not resolve and this is when it is important to seek help.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy offered to those suffering from trauma, including Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). EMDR was developed following the chance discovery by an American Psychologist, Dr Francine Shapiro who noticed that bilateral eye movements helped her to successfully process and overcome disturbing memories. Since this discovery about thirty years ago, a huge amount of research has been carried out on EMDR. As a result, EMDR is now recommended as a treatment for trauma in many National and International Guidelines (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the American Psychiatric Association).
EMDR sessions follow an eight stage protocol which includes an assessment phase and preparation phase, amongst others. During the reprocessing phase bilateral stimulation is used (typically eye movements) to process the disturbing memory. Essentially, this involves you paying close attention to the therapists’ fingers as they are passed across your visual field.
During EMDR sessions you remain in control, fully alert and awake – it is not a form of hypnosis. Importantly, you can also stop the process at any time.
If you have experienced a trauma of some kind, please get in touch to discuss whether EMDR may be of help to you.
Clinical Supervision
This is a service provided to other health professionals.
Clinical Psychologists are responsible for maintaining their competency to practice and an integral part of this is to engage in regular Clinical Supervision. I appreciate the benefits of engaging in regular Clinical Supervision and am equally pleased to be in a position to offer this to others.
I have previously enjoyed supervising a range of professionals including Trainee Clinical Psychologists, Assistant Psychologists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Mental Health Nurses during my career in the NHS.
If you would like to get in touch to discuss your clinical supervision needs, I would be delighted to hear from you. I am committed to providing a supportive, nurturing environment where you can discuss your clinical cases openly and gain from my extensive experience in Adult Mental Health.
Some of the problems I frequently help with.
I work with clients presenting with a wide range of problems including but not restricted to the following:
Depression (find out more) – Anxiety Disorders (find out more) – Specific phobias
Panic – Agoraphobia – Health Anxiety – Social Anxiety – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder (PTSD) – Low Self Esteem and Low Confidence (find out more)
Childhood Trauma (including childhood sexual abuse) – Bereavement – Anger
Adjustment /coping with physical health conditions
A Choice of three Clinic Locations
Stouport on Severn Clinic
Stourport on Severn Clinic, Stourport
19 York Street,
Stourport on Severn,
Worcestershire
DY13 9EH
All appointments need to be made with me by
phone on 07597 612126
The Spire Clinic, Droitwich Spa
The Spire Clinic, Droitwich Spa
29 Worcester Rd,
Droitwich
Worcestershire
WR9 8AA
All appointments need to be made with me by
phone on 07597 612126
