Published Psychotherapist with NHS background

I am a published mental health clinician, speaker and highly experienced CBT Therapist with an MSc in Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, who has been working within NHS and specialist therapeutic services for 15 years. 

I have significant clinical experience and expertise in effectively treating depression and anxiety in patients with complex trauma histories and complex interpersonal relationships, diagnosed and undiagnosed personality disorder, anxiety disorders, Major Depressive Disorder and early psychosis.

Training

I was selected to train with the world recognised leading expert of Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Professor Windy Dryden who is considered one of the most influential thinkers in the field. My training in REBT and CBT focused on approaches that are designed to address the needs of patients with complex problems who are not responding to primary care (initial NHS treatment recommendations), such as Time to Talk/IAPT services. 

The therapeutic relationship

I form highly impacting therapeutic relationships that are both supportive and appropriately challenging. My approach is designed to enable my patients to become fully capable of managing their own emotional distress and behaviour without having to rely of psychological services long term. I work with my patients collaboratively to develop a bespoke package of therapeutic care that is fully suited to their psychological needs in order to ensure the best therapeutic outcomes. 

Special interests

My special clinical interests are in anxiety, chronic pain, culture and migration and women's physical and psychological health and I have taken specialist supervision and training in these areas.

Testimonials

"Amy is a kind, thoughtful and unique person who has helped me to recognise that they way I think and behave can change the whole course of my life for the better or worse. Amy worked with me and my GP, offering me choice and control over my therapeutic care and helping me to get off the dreaded antidepressant medication for good! I am now back in control of my world and there is no way on earth I would have been able to do this without Amy's longstanding, patient and brilliant support, insight and guidance. If you are struggling to cope with how you are feeling, I would definitely suggest going to see Amy - more than worth the journey, life changing." (Sade, Brighton)

"I was suffering with OCD for most of my life without understanding what was happening to me. My GP suggested that I get help because it was out of control and I began to feel suicidal. I was ruled by my own fear for years. I found Chichester Therapy and started CBT with Amy. I have to say that I have had to work very hard to get better. Under Amy's guidance, support and some tough challenging, I have learned to approach my life in a different way. Now I am able to live my life without panicking constantly that something will go wrong and I can actually have a relationship with my husband that is healthy and full of respect and love rather than demands and argument. I will carry what I have learned with me forever. CBT is like a personally refined toolbox that helps you manage your life more effectively and helps you to be less critical of yourself, more tolerant and self accepting." (Lillian, Portsmouth)

"Amy has helped me to understand that there is a way through the difficulties and that in fact, I can cope. I don't know where I would be today if I had not found help with CBT. Thank you Amy, your kindness and support has helped me change my life"  (Rebecca, Chichester)

"I was very nervous about going to start therapy with Amy. As a guy, I was not so good at talking about my emotions and we never did in my family. But, I have learned to communicate better with my wife and children now and I have been amazed at how different I feel. I am no longer angered by small things and I feel like a much more capable and happy person" (Phillip, West Sussex)

What is CBT therapy like?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based, highly effective talking therapy that is conducted through an equal, honest and collaborative relationship with your therapist.

I will work with you to help you understand how you are feeling and make sense of what is happening to you. You will be supported with kindness and empathy but you will also be challenged when I think you are ready, so that you can begin to take take control of your problems and make different decisions in your life that lead to better outcomes.  

During therapy you will explore your thoughts and learn how they relate to your emotions, behaviours and physiology. You will learn to understand how your problems are maintained and how to adapt thinking and behaviour to make positive changes to the way you feel and interact with people who matter to you.

Amy's professional Background

My professional background began 15 years ago, supporting marginalised people  who are affected by mental health, migration and the criminal justice system. I then then worked within family therapeutic services in inner city London for 3 years. Following this I was placed for 5 years in Homerton Hospital's Specialist Psychotherapy Service where I worked closely with a team of Psychiatrists, CBT, DBT, CAT and Psychodynamic therapists.

During my career, I have gained significant experience and supporting people to become psychologically and emotionally well again. Many of the patients I have supported over the years have required specialist support with chronic anxiety and depression, low self-esteem, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, addiction and physical and psychological pain.

I have in-depth knowledge of how to manage complex psychological conditions and will (where required) work in conjunction with your GP, Psychiatrist, Consultant Doctors and Nursing Team to manage your care. 

"Amy is a highly skilled and versatile clinician with a high success and recovery rate with very complex patients. She is very committed to patient recovery and she has an excellent understanding of risk awareness and of other mental health support services"           

(Caroline Ben-Zaina, Specialist Psychotherapy Service, Homerton Hospital) 

Mental health consultancy to the NHS and private sector

I consult widely within the health sector in the design of national and international mental and physical health programmes linked to a number of NHS trusts across the country, The Royal College of Psychiatry, the BMJ and THET. 

I have  played a key role in supporting the design of Mental Health services, Troubled Families programmes and tailored programmes for refugees and people involved in gangs and violent crime. I have also written and delivered national mental health training programmes for healthcare professionals including GPs and Psychiatrists. 

Face-to-face and online therapeutic support

I provide face-to-face CBT therapy from the West Street Consulting rooms in Chichester and a Skype/telephone service for those with travel limitations. 

Evidence-based, proven treatment

CBT has one of the strongest evidence-bases for effectiveness for a wide range of problems. It is recommended by NICE (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence) for and has been proven through hundreds of clinical studies over the past 20 years to effectively help with the following problems: