Consultant Clinical Psychology

Understand Yourself. Move Forward with Confidence.

Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. You may be struggling with anxiety, low mood, stress, trauma, relationship difficulties, memory changes, or the emotional impact of a medical condition. Whatever you're experiencing, seeking help is a sign of strength — not weakness.

Our Consultant Clinical Psychologist provides evidence-based psychological assessment and therapy in a safe, compassionate, and confidential environment. We work with adults, adolescents, and families to help you better understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, so you can develop lasting strategies for improved mental wellbeing.

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Is a Clinical Psychologist the Right Person to See?

For many people, yes. A Consultant Clinical Psychologist is often the best first step if you are experiencing:

• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Depression or persistent low mood
• Stress or burnout
• Trauma or post-traumatic stress
• Relationship difficulties
• Grief and bereavement
• Sleep problems
• Health anxiety
• Chronic pain or adjustment to a medical diagnosis
• Memory or cognitive concerns
• Difficulties managing emotions
• Behavioural concerns in children or adolescents

Psychological therapy can help you understand why you're feeling the way you do and provide practical tools to improve your wellbeing.

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Should I See a Clinical Psychologist or a Psychiatrist?

Both professionals play an important role in mental healthcare, but they have different areas of expertise.

A Clinical Psychologist specialises in:

• Psychological assessment
• Evidence-based talking therapies
• Understanding behaviour and emotions
• Cognitive assessments
• Helping people develop long-term coping strategies
• Supporting people through life challenges and mental health conditions

A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in:

• Diagnosing mental health disorders
• Prescribing medication
• Managing complex psychiatric illnesses
• Treating severe mental health conditions that may require medical treatment
• Coordinating care for conditions that involve both medication and psychological therapy

Many people benefit from seeing both professionals. Psychologists and psychiatrists frequently work together to provide comprehensive care.

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When Should I See a Psychiatrist First?

A psychiatrist may be the most appropriate first specialist if you are experiencing:

• Thoughts of harming yourself or suicide
• Thoughts of harming other people
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that others cannot)
• Delusions or strongly held false beliefs
• Severe mania, such as feeling unusually energetic, needing very little sleep, or behaving impulsively in ways that put you or others at risk
• Severe depression where medication may be required
• Sudden, significant changes in behaviour or thinking
• Concerns that medication may be an important part of treatment

If you are in immediate danger or believe someone else is, seek emergency medical care immediately.

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What is the Difference Between a Clinical Psychologist and a Counselling Psychologist?

Both are highly trained psychologists and both provide psychological therapy. The main difference lies in the focus of their specialist training.

A Clinical Psychologist is trained to assess, diagnose, and treat a broad range of mental health conditions, including more complex or severe psychological difficulties. They often work with people experiencing anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, neuropsychological conditions, chronic illness, and complex emotional or behavioural problems.

A Counselling Psychologist also provides evidence-based therapy but traditionally focuses on helping people navigate life challenges, relationship difficulties, stress, personal development, and emotional wellbeing. While there is considerable overlap, counselling psychology has historically placed greater emphasis on helping people cope with everyday life difficulties, whereas clinical psychology includes extensive training in psychological assessment, diagnosis, and more complex mental health conditions.

At The Spierings Medical Group, our Consultant Clinical Psychologist combines specialist assessment with personalised, evidence-based therapy tailored to each individual's needs.

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Should I See a Therapist, Counsellor, or a Clinical Psychologist?

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they don't always mean the same thing. All three can play an important role in supporting your mental wellbeing. The right choice depends on the nature of the difficulties you're experiencing and the level of assessment or treatment you need.

A therapist or counsellor may be the right choice if you are:

• Looking for support through a difficult life event
• Coping with relationship or family difficulties
• Experiencing work-related stress or burnout
• Adjusting to a major life change
• Looking for personal growth or emotional support
• Seeking short-term guidance in a supportive environment

Therapists and counsellors provide a safe space to talk, explore emotions, and develop coping strategies. Their training and qualifications can vary depending on their professional background and the type of therapy they practise.

A Consultant Clinical Psychologist may be the better choice if you are:

• Experiencing persistent anxiety or depression
• Living with trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Concerned about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Experiencing complex emotional or behavioural difficulties
• Living with a chronic medical condition that is affecting your mental wellbeing
• Concerned about memory, thinking, or cognitive changes
• Looking for a formal psychological assessment or diagnosis
• Seeking evidence-based psychological therapy for a diagnosed mental health condition

A Consultant Clinical Psychologist has extensive postgraduate specialist training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a broad range of psychological conditions. They are trained to integrate psychological assessment with evidence-based therapies and work closely with other healthcare professionals when needed.

There is often overlap between these professions, and no single approach is right for everyone. If you're unsure which service best fits your needs, our team will help guide you to the most appropriate professional so you can access the right support from the start.

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When Should I Seek Emergency Care?

If you or someone you know experiences any of the following, seek urgent medical attention immediately:

• Thoughts of suicide with an intention or plan to act
• Thoughts of seriously harming another person
• A suicide attempt or intentional self-harm requiring medical treatment
• Hallucinations or severe confusion causing risk to yourself or others
• Extreme agitation, aggression, or behaviour that places anyone at immediate risk
• A sudden inability to care for yourself because of your mental state

Mental health emergencies deserve the same urgency as physical health emergencies.

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Areas of Expertise

Our Consultant Clinical Psychologist provides assessment and treatment for:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Trauma and PTSD
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Health anxiety
• Stress and burnout
• Adjustment to chronic illness
• Chronic pain
• Memory and cognitive assessments
• Neuropsychological assessment
• Relationship difficulties
• Emotional wellbeing
• Child and adolescent psychological assessment
• Psychological support for families

If your concerns are not listed, please contact us. We'll be happy to advise whether clinical psychology is the right place to begin.

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What Happens During My Appointment?

Every person's story is different. Your consultation is an opportunity to understand not just your symptoms, but how they are affecting your life.

Your Clinical Psychologist will:

• Listen carefully to your concerns
• Explore your personal history and current difficulties
• Carry out psychological assessment where appropriate
• Explain your formulation in clear, understandable language
• Discuss the most appropriate therapy options
• Develop a personalised treatment plan together with you

Our goal is not simply to reduce symptoms, but to help you develop lasting skills that improve your wellbeing and quality of life.

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Your Care Team

Mental health is often closely connected to physical health. When appropriate, your Clinical Psychologist works alongside other specialists within The Spierings Medical Group, including:

• Consultant Family Medicine
• Consultant Neurology
• Consultant Dermatology (for psychological aspects of skin disease)
• Consultant Plastic Surgery (before and after surgery)
• Consultant Psychiatrist, where medication or specialist psychiatric assessment is needed

Working together allows us to provide truly integrated care for both mind and body.

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Book a Clinical Psychology Consultation

Whether you're facing a new challenge, living with a long-term mental health condition, or simply looking for support to improve your wellbeing, we're here to help. Together, we'll help you better understand what's happening, develop practical strategies, and move forward with confidence.