Counselling Psychology in London

Frequently asked questions

What is a counselling psychologist?
A chartered counselling psychologist is someone who has completed an undergraduate degree in psychology, and, at a minimum, a further three years full-time postgraduate doctoral-level clinical and academic training, including many hours of counselling experience, and is registered and certified for practice with the British Psychological Society.

A counselling psychologist, like a clinical psychologist, is trained to recognise and work ethically and systematically with many different psychological difficulties; the key to achieving this is through developing a strong and positive therapeutic relationship between the counselling psychologist and his or her client.

You can find out more on-line at the website of the British Psychological Society here. Their website gives further information on

• counselling psychology here
  
• the Society’s code of conduct and ethical guidelines, which Susan adheres to, here
  
• making a complaint about a psychologist here

What is cognitive behaviour therapy?
A cognitive behavioural therapist, or psychologist:

• will work with you to identify and understand the ways in which you think about life and your difficulties (your cognitions),
  
• will help you see the patterns in what you tend to do about things (your behaviour),
  
• will help you find new ways of doing both that will be more positive, and help you get your life back on track (the therapy).

There are many different ways of using cognitive behaviour therapy, as it is designed to help people with very specific problems (such as an excessive fear of something, or intrusive traumatic memories), as well as those with more general, all-encompassing difficulties (such as an overall belief that life has no point any more, or a persistent feeling of irritability with everything and everyone). There is a great deal of clear and useful information online about cognitive behaviour therapy, such as:

• The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ website and information here about cognitive behaviour therapy
  
• Mind online information here about cognitive behaviour therapy
  
• See also the "Further links" page.

What are the rules of confidentiality?
Confidentiality is carefully observed, but may, very exceptionally, be broken if it seems to Susan that you are in immediate danger (from yourself), or if it seems to her that there is an immediate risk to someone else. Susan would always make every effort to discuss this with you first (unless extreme circumstances prevail), before, hopefully with your agreement, contacting your GP, or another appropriate person or professional colleague.

Some of your issues and personal details may be discussed with the qualified, experienced, professional who supervises Susan's practice, usually on a monthly basis, but not with anyone else. Susan's supervisor is also bound by the BPS code of ethics on confidentiality.


What ethical rules apply?
Like all chartered psychologists, Susan is bound by the British Psychological Society’s code of conduct, and ethical guidelines, which you can find online here. The code is based on the four principles of respect, competence, responsibility and integrity.

Susan is also a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and observes their ethical framework for good practice, which you can find here.


Can you suggest any helpful reading?
Spend some time browsing in the self-help section of a local library, and/or a bookshop, and start by picking out any book (or three) that looks as though it might help you.

There is a wealth of good information and advice available on the net, although it can seem hard to find. There are some websites that you may find helpful listed on the "Further links" page.

Tip: expect to get just one good, helpful idea which works for you from each book/leaflet/download that you find. You got two helpful points? - you're ahead of the game.


phone: 07596 126067
email: info@psychologyinlondon.co.uk