Why would I consult a specialist Health Psychologist?
Specialist in health-related problems
Pregnancy, birth, the postnatal period, perimenopause and menopause are health-related times of change. How you experience these changes is strongly related to hormones, coping styles and strategies, and health behaviours. As a Health Psychologist I can support and empower you to adjust to these changes, to regain control and live a fulfiling life.
Specialist in health- behaviour change
Successful, sustainable behaviour change involves learning new skills. As a Health Psychologist I have specialist expertise and experience in supporting people to change their health behaviours for life. I can support you to learn new skills and to develop new health behaviours to empower you to take control and enjoy your life.
Experience and expertise in women's health
I have a background in healthcare and midwifery and have undertaken significant further training and professional development. I have further specialized beyond general health-related problems. My expertise and experience in women's health can support you through a difficult pregnancy, prepare you for a calm, controlled birth experience, enable you to enjoy early parenthood and can empower you to live a full and enjoyable life during perimenopause and menopause.
Your psychological symptoms are health-related
Have you decided that you need support to help you through this period in your life? It can be challenging to find the professional who is the best fit for you and your problem, a professional with the most relevant expertise and experience. You've probably searched the internet and found hundreds of counselors, psychotherapists and different types of applied psychologist. It can be confusing if you don't know what qualifications professionals have and whether their training and experience is relevant to your problem. Applied Psychologists have trained for a minimum of 7 years, and have a British Psychological Society accredited Honours degree. They must also have a Doctoral degree and be accredited by, and registered with the British Psychological Society as Chartered Psychologists, and the Health and Care Professions Council as Practitioner Psychologists. All Practitioner Psychologists have expertise in working therapeutically, using evidence-based therapies, to help people experiencing psychological difficulties or common mental health problems including but not limited to:
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general anxiety disorder (GAD)
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social anxiety disorder (SAD)
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obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
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post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD)
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mood disorders
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stress
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phobias
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panic disorder
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depression
As a Health Psychologist, my title lets you know that I have expertise and experience in the psychological or mental health problems that are related to a physical health problem. That might include supporting someone to adjust to living with a long term health condition (LTC), helping with adherence to a medical or treatment regime, supporting someone to live with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS), health anxiety or a pain condition.
Behaviour change training is also a specialty in Health Psychology, that involves using evidence-based techniques and strategies to develop a plan with the client, to support their health-related behaviour change. This might include providing the skills needed to adhere to a healthy eating plan, weight-loss plan, smoking cessation, exercise, improving sleep, preparing for childbirth by learning the skills to optimize the birth experience, adjusting to and managing symptoms in perimenopause and menopause.