Finding the best fit for you is really important, and research suggests that the most 'active ingredient' in therapy is the relationship! So this is really important. Part of the initial consultation is designed to explore this idea of best fit. It is also important to consider the types of difficulties I work with. My primary areas of expertise include adjustment to physical health conditions (including but not limited to brain injuries, life long conditions, cancer, autoimmune conditions and pain), as well as trauma, low mood, anxiety, OCD, depression and working with carers.

My main therapeutic approach is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT, pronounced as one word rather than individual letters). I have had extensive training in applying ACT successfully with a range of presentations, as well as having published peer-reviewed research using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I am also Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained. I will also draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and systemically informed practice as required for your individual needs.

Ongoing therapy is based on 50 minute sessions priced at £135. We do sometimes recommend longer, or shorter, sessions, based on individual needs and specific therapeutic modalities. For example, EMDR is often recommended for 90 minute sessions. Most other therapies use a standard 50 minute session, however, particularly towards the end of your therapy journey, we may recommend shortening this further. This will be discussed with you.

This is hard to answer, and something that is best discussed with me during the initial assessment as it will really depend on your specific needs. If you have a particular requirement, either financially or otherwise, please discuss this with me during the initial appointment. I will do my best to accommodate your needs, if clinically appropriate.

I currently accept WPA and Bupa Global Insurance. Should you wish to pay with a different insurer, please get in touch via the contact form, or email me at admin@drpotterpsychology.co.uk, and I will see if I can help.

There are lots of lost-cost or free options available. It is worth speaking to your GP about NHS services available. These are often provided initially via online platforms, or something called IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies). There are also a number of charity organisations which can have lots of information. Check out Mind for more information: https://www.mind.org.uk/ These services also offer confidential support from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult: Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans Text "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line If you're under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. Please note, these are not crisis services and we do not provide any crisis support. If you feel you are in crisis, please call 111 for advice, 999 if you are in immediate danger, or attend your local A&E department.

Clinical Psychologist is a protected title in the United Kingdom. This means that anyone who calls themselves a Clinical Psychologist MUST be registered with the HCPC as a 'Practitioner Psychologist' with the speciality of 'Clinical Psychologist' You can check registration here: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/ For information, my registration details are PYL36250. Unfortunately, in the UK, anyone can use the title 'Psychologist'. There are no requirements, or standards that are needed to say you are a Psychologist. This is very different to a Clinical Psychologist who has undergone extensive training and assessment in order to qualify and register as a Clinical Psychologist. The training process takes a minimum of 7 years, but often longer. This is designed to ensure that they can offer a high quality of therapy, founded in science. A Clinical Psychologist is different from a Psychiatrist who is a medical doctor who treats mental health conditions. Clinical Psychologists are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medications. There are often underlying philosophical differences between Psychiatrists and Clinical Psychologists, but both are qualified to assess and provide interventions for a range of mental health difficulties.