Assessment
An initial psychological assessment usually involves a combination of conversation and questionnaires to help us both gain a shared understanding of your difficulties and the kind of support that may be most helpful.
Some people come to therapy with a clear idea of what they’re looking for — perhaps based on past experience, personal research, or recommendations. Others arrive simply with a sense that something needs to change. There’s no expectation that you’ll know what type of therapy or approach will suit you best — that’s something we can explore together.
Therapy
Therapy can range from single one-off sessions to long-term weekly or fortnightly sessions. All approaches will be tailored to you based on the information that you provide. If you are seeking a single session, please make this clear in your contact form because some of the therapies listed below can only be offered over multiple sessions.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EEMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a structured form of psychotherapy that helps you address difficulties in the present by processing past experiences that may still be affecting you. Painful or overwhelming events that haven’t been fully processed can shape how we respond to situations now, leaving us feeling triggered, stuck, or unable to move on. EMDR helps to re-activate the brain’s natural healing process, allowing you to make sense of what’s happened and move forward with greater ease.
Some people begin EMDR knowing the specific events they want to work on. Others come with clear difficulties but no obvious trauma. Whatever your situation, we can explore together whether EMDR is the right approach for you.
EMDR therapy is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for problems with PTSD, Complex PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences.
Dr Lucy Butler is a member of the EMDR Association UK. This is the professional body for EMDR clinicians and researchers in the UK seeking the highest standards of clinical practice in the United Kingdom.
Narrative Exposure Therapy
Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is a talking therapy specifically designed to help individuals who have experienced traumatic events, particularly those with complex trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). NET combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and narrative therapy to facilitate the processing and integration of traumatic memories.
The primary goal of NET is to help individuals construct a coherent and chronological narrative of their traumatic experiences.
Individuals are guided through a detailed and structured retelling of their traumatic experiences in a safe and supportive environment. This process allows for the gradual confrontation and processing of traumatic memories, emotions, and sensations.
The therapist helps the individual connect their traumatic memories with the larger context of their lives. By incorporating the traumatic events into their life story, individuals can gain a broader understanding of how the trauma has influenced their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
Through the process of constructing a cohesive narrative, individuals have the opportunity to integrate their traumatic experiences into their overall life story. This integration facilitates a sense of coherence, meaning, and mastery over the traumatic events.
In 2018, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended NET as a method of treating adults with PTSD. It is particular helpful for people who have experience multiple repeated or prolonged traumatic experiences.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CBT is a widely used and effective form of psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It is based on the idea that our thoughts and beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world can influence our feelings and actions. CBT aims to identify and change unhealthy patterns of thinking and behaviour in order to improve overall well-being.
The core principles of CBT involve understanding and challenging negative or distorted thoughts, developing more realistic and adaptive (e.g., healthy and helpful) thinking patterns, and implementing behavioural strategies to promote positive change. The therapy typically involves collaboration between the therapist and the individual seeking treatment.
CBT can help you in several ways:
Managing and reducing symptoms: CBT is effective in treating various mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and eating disorders. It provides practical tools and strategies to alleviate distressing symptoms and regain control over your life.
Identifying and changing negative thinking patterns: CBT helps you recognise and challenge negative or irrational thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. By examining the evidence for and against these thoughts, you can develop more balanced and realistic thinking, leading to a shift in emotions and behaviours.
3. Developing coping skills: CBT equips you with practical skills to cope with challenging situations and manage stress more effectively. It focuses on problem-solving, relaxation techniques, assertiveness training, and improving communication skills, among other strategies, to help you navigate difficult circumstances.
4. Breaking cycles of behavior: CBT emphasizes the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By identifying and modifying negative behavioral patterns, you can break cycles of unhelpful behavior and develop healthier habits and coping mechanisms.
5. Enhancing self-awareness and self-esteem: CBT encourages self-reflection and increased awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By gaining a better understanding of yourself, you can develop a more positive self-image, boost self-esteem, and cultivate self-compassion.
Will it work for me?
CBT has a good evidence base. That said, it's important to note that while CBT is highly effective for many people, it may not be suitable or equally effective for everyone.
CBT is one of the most available psychological therapies in the NHS. If you have tried CBT in the past and found it ineffective this does not mean that it wont be helpful again now or in the future. We can explore the reasons behind your experience and discuss what might be helpful for you now.
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy offers a compassionate and in-depth way of understanding yourself and the patterns that may be keeping you stuck. It draws on ideas from CBT, attachment theory, and psychodynamic therapy to explore how early life experiences have shaped how you see yourself, others, and the world around you.
Over time, many of us develop deep-rooted “schemas” — emotional blueprints that can influence how we think, feel, and relate. When these patterns are painful or self-defeating, they can leave us feeling trapped in cycles that are hard to change. Schema Therapy helps you understand where these patterns come from and supports you in building healthier, more nurturing ways of relating to yourself and others.
Schema Therapy may be helpful if you:
Feel stuck in the same emotional or relationship patterns
Find it hard to form or maintain healthy relationships
Struggle with low self-esteem or a sense of not being “good enough”
Want to understand yourself more deeply and create lasting emotional change
Schema Therapy is often a longer-term process, working at a deep level to create meaningful and lasting transformation. I offer a free 15-minute consultation to explore whether Schema Therapy feels right for you, followed by an initial two-session assessment to discuss your needs and plan the next steps together.
Research shows Schema Therapy can be highly effective for long-standing emotional and relational difficulties, helping people move towards real healing and greater emotional freedom — not just short-term symptom relief.