Adult Psychological Therapy
The approach used at The Avon Practice is focused on working in a collaborative way to enable you to build a meaningful life and to become the best version of yourself.
It involves learning ways of responding more helpfully to difficult thoughts, feelings and situations that arise, so that they no longer hold you back; discovering what really matters to you; and helping you to take action towards making your life more fulfilling.
People come to see a psychologist for a range of different reasons - sometimes they come for help with a specific problem that is getting in the way of them living their life, whilst at other times they use therapy as a kind of a mental wellbeing check. In our busy lives, it can be extremely valuable to take time to check-in with ourselves and keep ourselves on track.
The range of difficulties worked with includes:
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Anxiety
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Low mood and depression
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Trauma (recent or past)
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Stress-related problems
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Unhelpful patterns of behaviour
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Adjustments to life changes, including loss
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Difficulties linked to physical illness or disability
Some of the benefits of going to therapy include:
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Learning tools and skills to reduce the impact of difficult situations, thoughts and feelings
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Improving the way you relate to the important people in your life
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Developing a more helpful understanding of yourself and your life, including what works well for you and what is holding you back
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Working towards building a more meaningful life for yourself
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Ultimately working towards becoming the best version of you!
What training does a Clinical Psychologist have?
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Clinical Psychologists undergo at least 6 years of university education plus in-service training. The journey begins with an Honours degree in Psychology, followed by experience working in settings that provide psychological services; trainees then go on to do post-graduate training in Clinical Psychology. Up until the 1990s this took the form a Masters in Clinical Psychology degree. Since then, psychologists in the UK qualify with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
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Clinical Psychologists are trained to assess and treat people of all ages by using a broad range of psychological models and techniques.
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Clinical Psychologists are not medically trained and they do not prescribe medication. This is the work of GPs and Psychiatrists.
When would this therapy service not be appropriate?
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If you are under the age of 18
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If you want a medico-legal assessment, court report or expert witness interview
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If you are presenting with a high level of risk of harm to yourself or to others. If you are in a crisis, then your care needs to be managed within the NHS Mental Health service.