Who are we?
We are a Clinical Psychologist and a (CBT/CAT) Psychotherapist. Our professions and qualifications are described below.
What is a Clinical Psychologist?
Clinical Psychologists are required to undertake a three year doctoral training course in order to qualify, register and practice. This is in addition to a first degree in Psychology and experience of working in mental health settings. Clinical Psychologists are trained to work with children and adults in a range of settings and have to complete several clinical placements. The doctoral training programmes cover a range of therapeutic approaches, usually with cognitive behavioural therapy as one of the core therapies.
Clinical Psychologists are trained to work with individuals, groups and systems to make sense of behaviour, thoughts and emotions, within the context of a person’s experiences and current circumstances. Through listening and talking Clinical Psychologists are skilled through assessment which leads to the development of what we call a psychological formulation, which is a joint understanding of what is troubling you and how these difficulties have come to be. A formulation then helps us decide what might help and guides change.
Clinical Psychologists tend to work intergratively, which means they draw on a range of therapeutic approaches, depending upon what approach is best suited to the individual. This is all done within the context of a trusting therapeutic relationship.
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Dr Kate Barker
Clinical Psychologist
What is a CBT Therapist?
Cognitive Behavioural (CBT) Psychotherapists are trained to Post Graduate level to work with individuals to better understand patterns of thinking and behaviour which maintain their distress. CBT is a structured, time limited therapy and is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as an evidence-based treatment for a wide range of problems including anxiety disorders, depression, and eating disorders.
As a “talking therapy” CBT therapists work alongside their clients to develop a collaborative formulation of their difficulties, paying attention both to the “here and now” and to the development of their problems before engaging them in a process of change; we typically focus on working with thoughts and behaviours.
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Find out more here: What is CBT?
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What is a CAT therapist?
ACAT accredited Cognitive Analytic (CAT) therapists usually only start their training in cognitive analytic therapy after they have already qualified and practiced in a different profession.
Examples include psychologists, counsellors, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, music therapists, art therapists, drama therapists, nurses, social workers, GPs and CBT therapists. Most applicants have had considerable experience in talking therapies before courses consider them for CAT training. ACAT oversees and accredits all the training courses in CAT in the UK.
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Find out more here: How Do I Know My Therapist is Qualified to Deliver Cognitive Analytic Therapy? - All About CAT
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Alex is also trained in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) and EMDR (click to find out more about these approaches).
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Alex Lloyd
(CBT/CAT) Psychotherapist
