About me
I am a warm and empathic individual who is also professional and approachable. My experience in therapeutic work will provide you with a safe environment in which to explore any concerns and empower you to arrive at solutions.
Please read about my experience in the "Any other information" section below.
Training, qualifications & experience
Education and Professional Training
- Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (2011 - Pass) - University of Hertfordshire, 3 year course
- Diploma in Psychology Conversion Course (2006 - Pass) - Diploma in Psychology Conversion Course, 1 year course
- MSc in Cognitive Neuropsychology (2003 - Pass) - Oxford Brookes University, 2 year course
- BA (Hons) in Psychology with Combined Studies (2000 – 2:1) - Richmond University, 4 year course
Employment History
- Clinical Psychologist at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, Sept. 2013 to present date
- Clinical Psychologist and Placements Team Manager at Kids Company, Nov. 2011 to Aug. 2013
- Trainee Clinical Psychologist at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Sep. 2008 to Oct. 2011
- Assistant Psychologist at The Huntercombe Group, April 2007 to April 2008
- Assistant Clinical Psychologist at The Blenheim (Part of the Blenheim Priory Healthcare group), Aug. 2004 to July 2005
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
Additional information
Please phone me for an initial conversation. The first appointment would be a consultation where we could discuss options for the future.
When I work
Flexible
Further information
Knowledge and qualifications
I obtained a professional doctoral qualification with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS foundation trust and hosted by the University of Hertfordshire. I also have a Masters degree in cognitive neuropsychology and a Bachelors degree in Psychology with combined studies. I am registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC), and I work as an independent and autonomous professional within the HCPC and British Psychological Society (BPS) Guidelines and organisational Policies and Procedures.
I have studied the following models of understanding and treating psychological difficulties; cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic approaches, systemic and family therapy, personal construct therapy, mindfulness and narrative practices. I have also completed teaching on working across the life-span, health psychology, forensic settings, sexual health, neuropsychology, bereavement, learning disabilities and contextual approaches.
I have also received advanced training in the use of more conventional therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy and systemic therapy. However, I also trained in narrative and personal construct approaches and therefore I have a broad range of theoretical knowledge on which to formulate and intervene.
I have also completed training in neuropsychological assessments and I have experience of using these with clients across the lifespan and with a variety of presenting difficulties. This includes developing skills in sensitivity informing clients and carers of the results of such assessments and subsequent care plan issues.
I believe that systematic assessment drawing on a range of perspectives is vital in contributing to a useful formulation of psychological distress, which I always view as being a work in progress. The consideration of a number of diversity issues such as gender, age, race, ability, class, culture, education, sexuality, ethnicity and religion informs and develops my formulations and clinical practice.
Experience
I have 15 years experience of working with clients on a number of mental health issues. These include anxiety, depression, existential life circumstances, bereavement and loss, gender and sexuality identity issues, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, couple and relationship work and general life transitions.
I also have significant experience of applying clinical psychology within different cultural contexts. Many of my clients have experienced a wide range of emotional, physical and mental trauma, which subsequently impacts on their daily functioning and also their ability to communicate their emotional needs. As a second generation immigrant who is fluent in Arabic and English, I am sensitive to the nuances of cultural norms and expectations. Being bilingual and having lived in such diverse places as Libya, the UK and Sudan, I have developed flexibility of perspective and a sensitivity that enables me to put aside my own biases and appreciate the views of others.
