DR HELEN AYRES
Specialist Clinical Psychologist
MY THERAPEUTIC APPROACH
My approach is supportive and integrative, which means I can use a range of therapy models to create an individualised therapy for you. I listen carefully to your concerns, and together we focus on the changes you seek.
I draw from a range of evidence-based therapeutic interventions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy, Short-term Psychodynamic therapy, EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
I am a Specialist Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience in clinical and health psychology. I have worked in both Adult Mental Health and Health Psychology Services in three different NHS services. Since 2010 I have also been offering private, clinical and medico-legal services alongside my NHS work.
I have clinically supervised qualified clinical and health psychologists, trainee clinical psychologists and colleagues from other professional groups (regarding psychological issues).
I am registered as a Practitioner Clinical Psychologist with the Health and Care Professionals Council, which is the regulatory body for Clinical Psychologists in the United Kingdom. I am also registered as Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society. I am subject to the ethical requirements and standards of both organisations.
TAKING THE DECISION TO SEEK SUPPORT
We all have times in our lives that are painful and experiences that are difficult. Emotional and psychological distress are natural responses to such events and are incredibly common. At these times, we may benefit from someone to support us to develop strategies and different ways of coping and yet seeking support can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Finding the right professional to help you make sense of your difficulties in order to move forward is a deeply personal choice and it can be difficult to know which kind of therapy would be helpful.
For this reason, we would usually begin by talking on the phone. This would give you a chance to ask any questions you might have and I can get a sense of what you are needing help with.
The next step would be for us to schedule an initial consultation. This could be face to face or via Skype. I will be interested to hear about the difficulties that are troubling you, how you experience the issues that you’re struggling with and how you got to this point in your life. You can expect that I would listen carefully, occasionally asking for more detail where necessary. I am respectful of the unfamiliarity and potentially anxiety provoking nature of these first sessions, and so I would support you to go at your own pace.
The initial consultation is for us to decide whether therapy is right for you currently. If we decide to work together, we would agree on the duration of therapy and make a plan for this. If we decide that something else would be better for you, I’ll do my best to help you find appropriate sources of help.
If after reading this, you are still unsure, you are very welcome to call me on 07846 155933 or email me at any time and I will respond as soon as I can. You may prefer to schedule a free 15 minute telephone consultation with me so that you will know that I will be available when you call.
PROFESSIONAL REGULATIONS