Clinical psychology in Wokingham, Berkshire

Name: Wokingham Therapy Clinic
Brand: Wokingham Therapy Clinic
SKU: hd-local-wokingham-01

Clinical psychology is a specialist branch of psychology concerned with the assessment, diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties. Clinical psychologists hold doctoral-level training in psychological assessment and therapy and are among the most extensively qualified mental health professionals available in private practice.

At Wokingham Therapy Clinic, clinical psychology provides specialist support for adults and children experiencing complex, long-standing or treatment-resistant mental health difficulties. If you are unsure whether clinical psychology is the right level of support for your needs, please contact us and we will be happy to advise.

What is clinical psychology?

Clinical psychologists have completed an undergraduate degree in psychology, followed by a doctoral degree (DClinPsy or PhD) in clinical psychology, which involves a minimum of three years of post-graduate training combining research, academic study and supervised clinical placements across a range of NHS settings. This makes clinical psychologists one of the most rigorously trained psychological therapists available.

Clinical psychology differs from counselling and psychotherapy in its emphasis on comprehensive psychological assessment, formulation-led treatment and the application of evidence-based therapeutic models. A clinical psychologist will develop a detailed psychological formulation – a shared understanding of how your difficulties developed and what maintains them – which guides the selection and delivery of therapy.

Clinical psychologists are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the title “clinical psychologist” is legally protected in the UK.

Therapeutic approaches

Clinical psychologists are trained in a broad range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches and draw on whichever is most suited to the individual. These may include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – the most extensively researched psychological therapy, recommended by NICE for anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD and many other conditions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – a third-wave CBT approach that promotes psychological flexibility and values-based living
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) – particularly suited to individuals with high levels of self-criticism and shame
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) – a specialised trauma-processing therapy recommended by NICE for PTSD
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) – for difficulties with emotional regulation, impulsivity and interpersonal relationships
Schema Therapy – for long-standing personality-level difficulties and complex trauma
Mindfulness-based therapies – including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for depression relapse prevention

Conditions treated

Clinical psychology can help adults and children experiencing a wide range of emotional and behavioural difficulties, including:

Anxiety disorders – generalised anxiety disorder, health anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder
Depression and low mood – including treatment-resistant and long-standing depression
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex trauma (C-PTSD)
Specific phobias
Eating disorders
Emotional regulation difficulties
Self-harm and suicidal thoughts
Anger difficulties
Bereavement and adjustment to illness or life transitions
Low self-esteem and confidence
Relationship and family difficulties
Sleep problems and insomnia
Stress and burnout
Learning difficulties, neurodevelopmental conditions and associated emotional difficulties
Feeding difficulties, behavioural issues and developmental concerns in children

Who benefits from clinical psychology?

Clinical psychology is particularly well suited to:

People with complex, long-standing or treatment-resistant mental health difficulties that have not fully responded to previous therapy or medication
Those with multiple diagnoses or comorbid conditions
People whose mental health is significantly affecting their daily functioning, relationships or ability to work
Those who have experienced significant trauma, abuse or adverse childhood experiences
People who want a thorough psychological assessment as well as therapy
Children and young people with complex behavioural, emotional or developmental difficulties

For milder or more straightforward difficulties, counselling or CBT may be more appropriate and cost-effective. We are happy to advise on the best level of support for your individual needs.

What to expect

Your initial appointment will involve a detailed psychological assessment, covering your current difficulties, personal and family history, developmental history, previous mental health treatment, and your goals for therapy. This assessment informs the development of a psychological formulation – a shared, collaboratively developed understanding of your difficulties that guides the treatment plan.

Subsequent sessions focus on delivering therapy according to your formulation. Sessions are typically held weekly or fortnightly and last 50 to 60 minutes. The duration of treatment varies depending on the complexity of the problem and the therapeutic approach; some focused interventions take 8 to 16 sessions while complex trauma or personality-level work may require longer-term therapy.

All sessions are held in complete confidence in line with HCPC professional standards. The only exceptions to confidentiality are where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, which your psychologist will explain fully at your first appointment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a clinical psychologist and a counsellor?

Clinical psychologists have doctoral-level training (typically seven or more years of post-school education) and are regulated by the HCPC. They are trained in formal psychological assessment, complex case formulation and a wide range of evidence-based therapies. Counsellors typically have diploma or degree-level training and focus on providing a supportive therapeutic relationship for processing emotions and life difficulties. Both are valuable; the right choice depends on the nature and complexity of your concerns.

Do I need a GP referral?

No referral is needed to access clinical psychology at Wokingham Therapy Clinic. You can self-refer directly. If you are under the care of a psychiatrist or other mental health professional, it may be helpful to inform them that you are accessing private clinical psychology, but this is not required.

How many sessions will I need?

This depends on the nature of your difficulties and the therapeutic approach. A focused intervention for a specific phobia or anxiety disorder may take 8 to 16 sessions. Complex trauma or long-standing depression may require 20 or more sessions. Your psychologist will discuss an estimated treatment timeline at the outset and will review progress with you regularly.

Therapist vacancy

We are currently looking for a qualified clinical psychologist to join our team at Wokingham Therapy Clinic. If you would like to rent a treatment room and practise within our established clinic in the heart of Wokingham town centre, please get in touch.