When clients first come to see me, they may have questions about therapy generally or wonder what they might focus on. The first 1-3 sessions are to help us get to know each other and for you to tell your story, so I can start to understand what brought you to see me at this point in your life.
Sometimes clients I work with have very clear goals and targets that they want help with, e.g a specific thing that makes them anxious (e.g. phobias). Other times, our sessions can be more exploratory or supportive. The focus may also change over the course of our sessions as things shift in your life. Sometimes the sessions are very focused using techniques from EMDR or CBT.
Sessions tend to last 50 minutes and normally are set up to happen weekly or fortnightly. Over time, these sessions may move monthly as we move towards the end of our work together.
I have over 15 years experience working in mental health within the NHS, private and charity sectors. I specialise in work with adults and young people (teenagers/adolescents/children) and really work hard to ensure each of my clients is offered thoughtful and individualised support. Within the NHS, I have worked in a number of settings which has allowed me to work with anxiety disorders and depression, trauma, psychosis, bipolar disorder, personality disorders and relationship difficulties across the life-span.
I currently hold a Senior Psychologist role within the NHS in North London alongside a small number of private sessions. As a psychologist, I am trained in a number of therapeutic models including psychodynamic therapy, CBT and systemic concepts. I work within professional guidelines and have received a broad training so can draw upon a range of therapeutic models for a range of difficulties.
I offer therapy, supervision and training remotely, or at a lovely Yoga centre in E17 although I am also able to offer sessions remotely.
I have been described as a warm and compassionate psychologist.
I have a particular interest in pregnancy, the transition to parenthood and parental mental health due to my own experiences of becoming a mother.
Some examples of types of therapy I use:
Compassion Focused Therapy / EMDR / Trauma Focused CBT / Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) / CBT / relational therapies / parenting coaching/ attachment/ perinatal and mother and baby psychology / family therapy / couples therapy
Dr Jodie Waterhouse 