Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clinical Psychology?
Clinical Psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the assessment and treatment of mental illness and psychological problems. Clinical psychologists support individuals in making positive changes in their thoughts, behaviours, and relationships. Clinical psychologists work with a wide range of individuals, from children to older adults, and often operate in various settings. Our goal is to understand the way people think, feel, and act, and collaborate with them to manage or overcome psychological challenges, ultimately enhancing their emotional well-being. Rather than trying to change people, we focus on helping them make changes in their own lives. The assessments and therapeutic interventions we provide are grounded in both research and clinical experience. While psychologists hold doctoral degrees, we are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medications.
What qualifications does a Clinical Psychologist have?
Title: A Clinical Psychologist is a professional who has completed doctoral-level training in psychology and is qualified to apply psychological knowledge in clinical practice. They are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which regulates the profession, and may also be a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS), the professional body for psychologists in the UK. "Clinical Psychologist" is a protected title, meaning only individuals with the appropriate qualifications are authorized to use it.
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Experience: To become a Clinical Psychologist, one must complete an undergraduate degree in psychology (typically 3 years), a Clinical Doctorate (another 3 years), and at least two years of clinical practice. This means they undergo a minimum of 8 years of education and hands-on training.
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Quality: The profession is tightly regulated to ensure safety and professionalism. To verify that a practitioner is properly registered, you can check their credentials with the HCPC using the following link: http://www.hpc-uk.org/check.
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It’s important to note that while anyone can call themselves a "Psychologist" or "Child Psychologist," these titles are not legally protected, which can sometimes lead to confusion or misrepresentation. Always check the qualifications of those working with you, your family or child. A true professional will be understanding and would not be offended if you asked for evidence of these.
Autism Assessment Process
Stage 1- Neurodevelopmental Screening (for child assessments this includes gathering screening information from school)
Stage 2- Developmental History - as parents/guardians, you will meet with one member of our team to complete a semi-structured detailed developmental history. If you are an adult seeking assessment, we request that a family member who knew you during your early years is available to provide informant information.
Stage 3- Interactive Assessment - You/your child will complete the ADOS-2 assessment with a clinician, observed by a second clinician. This is a semi structured, standardised assessment which is designed to identify behaviours that are typically related to a diagnosis of Autism. This is also a gold standard instrument recommended in current national guidelines.
Stage 4 - Feedback - The assessment team meet to discuss the information that has been gathered. The information is mapped onto the DSM-V-TR criteria for Autism and a decision is reached regarding diagnosis. If all information is available, the team would hope to feedback to you on the day of the ADOS-2. In some cases, further assessment may be required before we can conclude. Examples include a nursery/school observation, an additional speech and language assessment, or a cognitive assessment. If this is the case then the rationale, fees and timing for the further assessment will be discussed.
Stage 5- Report and Recommendations - Following completion of our assessments a written diagnostic report will be completed. We will aim to have this report finalised within 4 weeks after completion of our assessment.
ADHD Assessment Process
Stage 1- Neurodevelopmental Screening (for child assessments this includes gathering screening information from school)
Stage 2- Developmental History and Clinical Interview - as parents/guardians, you will meet with one member of our team to complete a detailed developmental history. If you are an adult seeking assessment, we request that a family member who knew you during your early years is available to provide informant information. You will then also complete a semi-structured clinical interview utilising the Young-Diva or Diva-5, to gather evidence around specific ADHD traits.
Stage 3- School observation/Clinic appointment (for Children and Young People only) For primary-school aged children we recommend completing a school observation to observe clinical presentation in school environment. We might also request to spend some time with your child in school, and request to speak to teachers/support staff. For secondary age children, we will invite you to attend a clinic appointment to hear your child's view of their difficulties and how it affects them.
Stage 4- Feedback - The information gathered during assessment is reviewed and mapped onto the DSM-V-TR criteria for ADHD. You will be invited for a feedback session to discuss the conclusion of assessment. In some cases, further assessment may be required before we can conclude. If this is the case then the rationale, fees and timing for the further assessment will be discussed.
Stage 5- Report and Recommendations - Following completion of our assessments a written diagnostic report will be completed. We will aim to have this report finalised within 4 weeks after completion of our assessment.
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As a psychology-led assessment service we are unable to offer post-diagnostic medication initiation, however, we have now established links with an ADHD treatment centre who accept referrals following diagnostic assessment.
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​Please note when seeking medication privately you are responsible for the ongoing fees associated with this private medical care and on-going prescription. You should be aware that Shared Care is not something GPs/NHS services are obliged to take on and requests for shared care may occasionally be turned down. You should contact your local Neurodevelopmental Service (children) or GP prior to starting ADHD medication if you are unsure whether they will take over prescribing of your ADHD medication if has been started by a private provider.
Why do people need therapy?
Some people come to therapy with a particular issue or experience they need support with to work through, such a clinically diagnosable mental health condition or after experiencing a major life event. Others might feel worried, down or just not like themselves and hope to explore why.
Therapy can also be preventative, with some recognising the value of therapy as an important aspect of their mental health maintenance, and a form of self-care. Whatever brings you (or your child) to Open Mind Psychology, we will be happy to help.
What to expect if I enquire about therapy?
​Initial Telephone Consultation
Dr Eloise will offer a brief initial phone consultation where you can discuss the challenges you or your child is facing. This conversation will help determine whether her expertise aligns with your needs. Emotional and behavioural difficulties can be difficult to understand and manage, and you may be uncertain about the best course of action. We always recommend reaching out early for guidance and support. During this call, we aim to help you decide the best next steps for you or your child. If necessary, we can also direct you to other services that may be a better fit for your situation.
Assessment
If we decide that we are the right fit to support you, we will begin with an assessment session. This allows us to explore the challenges you or your child are facing in more depth. During the assessment, we’ll discuss relevant family history and life experiences to understand the root of the issue. We might also complete problem-specific questionnaires. Dr Eloise will also explain the different therapeutic approaches she can offer, and together, you will create a plan with clear goals for moving forward with treatment.
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How frequently do we meet for therapy?
When starting psychological therapy, it is best to meet weekly or fortnightly in the first instance to build therapeutic rapport. You will agree a number of sessions before starting, and will review the progress at agreed time points and decide how to continue. The most effective intervention comes from collaboration and communication; if the approach does not feel helpful, this can be discussed this at any time. You are under no obligation to commit to attending therapy if you decide not to continue.
What is EMDR?
Unlike traditional talking therapy, EMDR focuses on reprocessing distressing memories by using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues, to help the brain rewire how it stores and reacts to traumatic experiences. Although EMDR was initially developed for PTSD, studies show it’s highly effective for a variety of mental health conditions and emotional struggles. EMDR is not about erasing memories, it’s about transforming how they affect you.
How Does EMDR Work?
The human brain has a natural ability to heal from emotional wounds, much like the body heals from physical injuries. However, when trauma occurs, the brain may struggle to properly process the event, leaving the memory "stuck" in an unprocessed, emotionally charged state. This can result in flashbacks, anxiety, distressing thoughts, and even physical symptoms.
EMDR helps by:
1. Activating the brain's natural healing process through bilateral stimulation
2. Reducing emotional intensity of traumatic memories
3. Transforming negative beliefs associated with past experiences
4. Strengthening adaptive thinking and emotional resilience
Scientific research suggests that EMDR stimulates the brain’s information processing system, helping to move distressing memories from an emotionally raw state to a more neutral, logical perspective. This process can be linked to REM sleep, where the brain naturally processes and integrates information.
Who Benefits from EMDR Therapy?
1. Anxiety & Panic Disorders: Helps reprocess fears and intrusive thoughts
2. Depression: Addresses underlying trauma contributing to emotional distress
3. Phobias & Fears: Rewires fear responses in the brain
4. Complex Trauma & Childhood Abuse: Provides healing from deep-seated emotional wounds
5. Grief & Loss: Helps process painful emotions and find closure
6. Self-Esteem & Negative Beliefs: Replaces unhealthy thought patterns with self-compassion
7. Chronic Pain: Addresses underlying trauma being stored in the body contributing to pain
Considerations around risk
As a private mental health practice, there may be times when we determine that we are not the most suitable service for your or your child’s specific clinical needs. After our initial conversation, if we assess that we cannot safely and effectively meet your needs, we will inform you of this decision. Whenever possible, we will also provide guidance or refer you to a service better equipped to assist you.
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Additionally, as a private practice, we are unable to offer emergency appointments or provide care in situations involving a high level of clinical risk. This includes scenarios where there is a risk to oneself or others. Some examples of cases we may be unable to support on an ongoing basis include significant self-harm, recent suicide attempts, active psychosis, severe eating disorders, problematic substance use, and serious aggression or violence towards others.
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​It is also crucial to understand that clinical risk is continually reassessed throughout the course of treatment. If at any point we feel that we are no longer the most appropriate service for your needs, we will discuss this with you and assist in connecting you to more suitable support options outside of our practice. Each referral is carefully evaluated to ensure that we provide safe, effective care while fulfilling our duty of care responsibilities.