Our service:

Our Department of Psychological Therapies is a highly specialist clinical service which aims to address and treat people’s psychological needs which have arisen in the face of adversity and conflict.  In addition to our adult service, we also provide a Children and Young People’s Service to children of retired police officers.

When we meet people to assess their problems and areas of difficulty, we agree in partnership on a programme of treatment that is appropriate to meet their needs.  This may be one to one therapy, group intervention or self help. 

All treatment offered is short-term, usually lasting for 12 sessions.  If more or less is required, this can be negotiated.  It will focus on how your life is currently affected by any problems you have, and use tried and tested techniques to help you overcome them.  You will play an active part in your treatment, working in partnership with the therapist.

Each of our therapists is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) qualified, and are registered and accredited with appropriate professional bodies.  Our practice complies with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) Code of Ethics.

Conditions we treat:

All of our clinicians have extensive experience in treating psychological problems such as:

• Post Traumatic Stress Reactions (including PTSD)
• Complicated bereavement and loss issues
• Anxiety and panic
• Depression
• Phobias
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Symptoms associated with some of these problems include: 

• irritability, poor concentration, low mood
• intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares
• sleep problems
• feelings of guilt, shame, low self esteem
• behavioural avoidances, irrational fear
• inability to make decisions or problem solve
• repetitive or compulsive behaviours
• suicidal thinking, self harm
• relationship problems
• anger problems
• addictions. 

Our practice:

In accordance with Best Practice Guidelines (Nice 2005, CREST 2003), our treatment approach is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).  It comprises a range of therapeutic models aimed at changing problem behaviours and faulty thinking patterns.  It aims to improve quality of life by altering thoughts and behaviours which restrict people’s lifestyles.  Other therapeutic approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) may also be used within the CBT model, as appropriate.

Eligibility:

The following groups are eligible for our funded service: