Meet The Team

Who We Are

Choosing the right psychologist is an important step.
Our team combines extensive clinical experience with a warm, thoughtful approach, so you feel understood, supported, and clear about what to do next. We focus on helping you make sense of what’s going on and change the patterns that are keeping you stuck.

Dr. Chris James

Dr. Chris James

BSc Msc DClinPsych CPsychol AFBPsS

Founder & Clinical Director, Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Rebecca Dale

Dr. Rebecca Dale

BSc Msc DClinPsych CPsychol AFBPsS

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Heidi Thompson

Dr. Heidi Thompson

BSc MA DClinPsych PGDip CBT

Clinical Psychologist

Charli Davies

Charli Davies

 

Practice Manager

Chloe Shortman

Chloe Shortman

 

Digital Marketing, Media and Communications Executive

What To Expect

Our Process

We will always treat each client as the individual they are, as there is no ‘one size fits all’ in therapy. In order to best tailor your therapy to your needs there are some steps we follow. So if you’re new to therapy or feeling anxious, take a look at our process to see what to expect.

1. Initial phone consultation

Finding the right therapist is an important first step, so this gives you the chance to see what working with us will be like. It also gives us the opportunity to make sure we are the right fit for you. If we think someone else will better suit your needs, we will tell you.

2. Assessment and formulation

Exploration and analysis will help you to identify your personal goals and create an understanding of your issues. From mental health to ADHD support to sleep disorders, we are here to help.

3. Therapy sessions

We will work together on your specific goals, using evidence-based psychological interventions, the latest psychological research and your personal formulation to help guide your therapy.

4. Progress

We will monitor your progress using rigorous, well-validated psychometric outcome measures as well as tracking your individual goals and will ask for your feedback throughout the process to ensure the best possible outcomes for you.

What is a Clinical Psychologist?

There are many different types of therapy and mental health practitioners available, and it can be difficult to understand the differences between them. Not all therapies have a strong evidence base, and professional titles do not always clearly indicate the level of training or expertise involved.

Many people are surprised to learn that anyone can call themselves a “psychologist.” However, the title Clinical Psychologist is protected by law and can only be used by professionals who have completed extensive specialist training. This includes a minimum of seven years of university education and clinical experience and training before qualification.

Clinical Psychologists are highly trained experts in mental health assessment and psychological therapy. Their training takes place within clinical settings such as hospitals and mental health services, where they work directly with patients while receiving close supervision and undergoing continuous assessment of their clinical skills and competence.

Training in Clinical Psychology is extremely competitive, with only a small proportion of applicants gaining places each year. Within the NHS, Clinical Psychologists are often among the most senior members of multidisciplinary teams. They often lead services, develop new clinical programmes, provide training and supervision to other professionals, and support teams working in high-pressure or crisis situations. Due to their advanced training, they are also often asked to work with individuals experiencing the most complex psychological difficulties.

Clinical Psychologists receive specialist training in psychological assessment and diagnosis, enabling them to formally assess a wide range of mental health conditions. Because of this expertise, they are qualified to provide expert psychological opinions within legal settings, including the court system. Their training also includes neuropsychological assessment, which focuses on understanding how brain functioning may affect thinking, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing.

Clinical Psychologists are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and are usually members of the British Psychological Society (BPS). These regulatory bodies set strict professional standards for training, ethical practice, and ongoing professional development, helping ensure that the public is protected when receiving psychological services.

Our Therapy

Here To Support You

Your Journey To Good Mental Health

We help our clients work through mental health difficulties and psychological issues including anxiety, depression, panic, OCD, anger, phobias, low self-esteem, traumatic life events, self-criticism, work-related stress, loss and bereavement and relationship difficulties. Our approach is collaborative, and regular feedback from you is a crucial part of our therapy. This means we can adapt and mould your therapy to make it the best for your individual needs.

Helping You Get The Sleep You Need

We provide face-to-face (online) evidence-based treatment and support for insomnia and other sleep issues. We want everyone to get the best sleep they can, so we also provide a unique sleep optimisation programme for professionals looking to reach their peak performance.