Mind-Bridge Psychological Services

A Typical Session

The first session will entail a thorough clinical assessment including a couple of questionnaires to establish a baseline measure of current mental and physical health symptoms to we can monitor progress until treatment completes. However, treatment starts straight away, I never send people away without some advice to help with suffering.

I am very structured in my approach, so before each session I have a summary of what we have addressed so far and I will ask each individual what they most want for themselves and in that session.

We will problem solve together the various obstacles and pains. It is highly interactive and problem focused but with a highly empathic and patient space for just ‘being’ and feeling safe.

To give a break from talking, I spend some of the session illustrating some psychological models visually that will be appropriate to each individual. This is done on big A1 flip charts and known as Psychological Education. A lot of people I see draw benefits from this and will take pictures as an aide memoire.

Steps to be taken for the next session are then discussed.

We typically end (and sometimes start) the session, with some gentle breathing, mindfulness and posture work. This is to consolidate the information between the body and the mind and just having a quiet moment.

Key Considerations for Treatment Benefits

My service is highly professional, confidential, efficient and respectful. My treatment setting is in a safe, highly supportive, and comfortable environment.

I work on a one-to-one basis. This however does not mean that we are working in isolation as there is high regard to the people and environment around each person. This means that on occasion we will invite in a ‘significant’ other (spouse, parent, etc) to ‘educate’ these of the process of therapy. This is only with the permission of the individual and needless to say really, non-blaming. The philosophy followed: ‘if you take a plant and treat it, then plant it back in exactly the same old soil, the treatment is not really going to last long’. Therefore, not only is the individual going through active change, the environment also has to make some changes.

As a clinical psychologist my work is formulation-based, which means that during my assessment and treatment I consistently summarise and integrate the knowledge provided to clarify symptoms experienced. Together, we will form theories regarding the nature and origin of the symptoms as well as exploring how these are impacting on current/present life.

With my neuropsychological background and my special interest in biochemical factors in health, I stress the importance of having an awareness of the constant communication between our mind and body and how we can optimise this flow.

Philosophy / Individual Life Values / Personal Boundaries

My approach is ‘human-centred’ rather than based on a ‘disease model’. My view is that the individual is reacting ‘normally’/in a human way to something ‘abnormal’/trauma that happened to them.

I stress the importance of LEARNING as a continued process throughout life.

My approach aims to develop and increase insight, knowledge and self-compassion for each individual. This includes setting well-deserved boundaries for others to respects to enhance self-esteem and optimum living potential.

As a psychologist I stress the importance of distinguishing between life events and the personal meaning these have for each person - so, it is how we interpret these on the basis of our own individual personality that is important in terms of resolution.

It is my objective to help people identify their own personal values and meaning in life for each.

Often with a difficult start in life or even in subsequent life, we lose sense of meaning and safety. By identifying what is important for each individual and how they can nurture this, this will provide a sense of purpose and goal. Within this, I draw from spiritual psychology, object-relations theories and anthropology.