Assessment

An initial psychological assessment usually involves a combination of conversation and, at times, questionnaires. This helps us build a shared understanding of the difficulties you’re experiencing and the kind of support that may be most helpful.

The assessment is a gentle, collaborative process. You won’t be expected to share anything before you feel ready, and we can move at a pace that feels manageable for you.

Some people come to therapy with a clear idea of what they’re looking for — perhaps based on previous experience, personal research, or recommendations. Others arrive with little more than a sense that something isn’t quite right and that something needs to change.

There is no expectation that you will know what type of therapy or approach might suit you best. Part of the assessment process is to explore this together and consider what may feel most helpful for you moving forward.

Therapy

Professional psychological support can take different forms depending on what feels most helpful for you. Some people benefit from a single session to think something through or gain clarity, while others choose to work together over a longer period with regular weekly or fortnightly sessions.

The approach we take will always be tailored to your individual needs and the information you share during the initial assessment.

If you are hoping for a single session, please mention this in your contact form. Some therapeutic approaches are designed to take place over multiple sessions, and we can discuss together what might be the most helpful option for you.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR (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 influence how we respond to situations now, sometimes leaving us feeling triggered, stuck, or unable to move forward. EMDR works by activating the brain’s natural healing processes, helping you make sense of what has happened and gradually reduce the emotional impact of difficult memories.

EMDR therapy always begins with a careful preparation phase. This focuses on helping you feel safe, grounded, and resourced before any memory processing takes place. We work at a pace that feels manageable for you..

Some people begin EMDR knowing the specific events they would like to work on. Others come with clear difficulties but no obvious trauma. Whatever your situation, we can explore together whether EMDR may be a helpful approach for you.

EMDR therapy is recognised by both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as an effective treatment for trauma-related difficulties. Research also supports EMDR as a helpful approach for a range of concerns, including 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, the professional body representing EMDR clinicians and researchers committed to maintaining high standards of training, practice, and ongoing professional development in the United Kingdom.

Narrative Exposure Therapy

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is a structured talking therapy designed to help people who have experienced traumatic or highly stressful life events, particularly repeated or prolonged trauma.

In NET, we work together to gently build a chronological narrative of your life, including both difficult and positive experiences. This process helps the brain process traumatic memories that may currently feel fragmented, overwhelming, or intrusive.

Over time, many people find that these memories become less distressing and easier to hold as part of their life story, rather than something that continues to dominate the present.

NET is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a treatment for adults experiencing PTSD and can be particularly helpful for people who have experienced multiple or repeated traumatic events.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a practical, evidence-based therapy that focuses on the connection between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

Dr Lucy Butler is accredited by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). BABCP accreditation recognises therapists who have met high standards of CBT training, clinical experience, and ongoing professional development.

CBT may be helpful if you are experiencing:

  • Anxiety or persistent worry

  • Low mood or depression

  • Phobias or avoidance

  • Post-traumatic stress difficulties

  • Obsessive–compulsive difficulties

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 can shape how we see ourselves, others, and the world.

Over time, many of us develop deep-rooted “schemas” — emotional patterns that 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 difficult to change. Schema Therapy helps you understand where these patterns come from and supports you in developing healthier 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 usually a longer-term therapy that works at a deeper level to support meaningful and lasting change. Research suggests it can be particularly helpful for long-standing emotional and relational difficulties. I offer a free 10 minute consultation to explore whether Schema Therapy feels right for you, followed by an initial two-session assessment to discuss your needs and plan together.