Dr Anna Abramowski
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
I am the founder of the North London Psychologists' Clinic. I am an experienced Chartered Counselling Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a registered Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). I hold my private practice in Stanmore/Bushey Heath where I offer a relaxed, compassionate, non-judgmental and confidential space.
Psychological therapy:
Therapy provides a safe, containing, trustworthy space where I can help you unravel the source of your distress and where we can collaboratively explore means to alleviate it and improve your emotional well-being.
As a Counselling Psychologist, I am a scientist-practitioner and combine both evidence-based as well as practice-based research. I abide with the latest code of ethics, performance and conduct put forth by both the BPS (2009) and the HCPC (2016). My practice is also informed by the most recent evidence-based guidelines devised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
I share the belief that it is the therapeutic relationship which is the driving force and determinant of any foreseeable change that would lead to amelioration in your daily functioning.
I work as an integrative psychologist and have been trained in Person-Centred/Humanistic therapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy. I am mostly drawn to Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), “Third Wave” contextual therapies such as Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).
I have extensive clinical experience and spent many years working in various NHS settings including: GP surgeries and Specialists Clinical Health Services (Pain Management, Community Eating Disorders, Bariatric Psychology and HIV and Sexual Health). I have also worked in the private sector for the Priory Hospital and an Independent Private Practice specialising in the treatment of Eating Disorders, Obesity and Body Image Problems.
I am a full member of the Division of Counselling Psychology of the BPS, as well as a member of the Faculty of Clinical Health Psychology and of the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS). I am accredited in Psychometric level A (ability testing) and B (occupational personality testing) and am on the Register of Qualification in Test Use (RQTU).
Why come to therapy?
Psychological therapy can help you address and overcome your own inner struggles and enable you to move forward in your life. Whether you live with a chronic pain condition, are preparing for bariatric surgery, have a tormented relationship with food, therapy can give you the tools, skills, self-awareness and space to explore how to implement meaningful and lasting change.
You are not alone
Coming to therapy and making that first step can be quite a daunting experience and evoke a range of feelings, which is completely normal and part of the journey. The first step is fostering awareness that as human beings we are all imperfect beings and that being vulnerable in the presence of another person is not a sign of weakness but on the contrary a great sign of courage and strength that will pave the road towards greater self-acceptance.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Anatomy and Cell biology) - McGill University. Montreal, Canada.
- Masters of Science (Counselling Studies) - Edinburgh University, UK.
- Masters of Philosophy (Psychology and Education) - University of Cambridge (Cantab), UK.
- Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology - City University, London, UK.
Selected Publications:
- Abramowski, A. (2014). Is it time for “active” procrastination? The Psychologist, 27, 180-183.
- Franco, F., Itakura, S., Pomorska, K., Abramowski, A., Nikaido, K., & Dimitriou, D. (2014). Can children with autism read emotions from the eyes? The Eyes Test revisited. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35, 5, 1015-1026.
- Abramowski, A. (2016). Men classified as ‘obese’ and their relationship with food prior to undergoing bariatric surgery (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). City University of London, London.
- Abramowski, A. (2018). “Is procrastination all that “bad”? A qualitative study of academic procrastination and self-worth in postgraduate university students. Journal of Prevention & Intervention,46, 158-170.
Media:
- Gavett, G. (2014). Sometimes it is ok to procrastinate. Harvard Business Review. http://blogs.hbr.org/2014/03/sometimes-its-ok-to-procrastinate/
- Heyden, T. (2014). The much-delayed war on procrastination. BBC New Magazine. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29570615
- Usborne, S. (2016). Why do you leave things until the last minute? The Guardian, Psychology Shortcuts https://www.theguardian.com/science/shortcuts/2016/jun/08/why-leave-things-to-last-minute-eu-voter-registration-procrastinatio
- Abramowski, A. (2019). Living with anxiety: A psychologist's perspective. Medium.https://medium.com/@nlpsych17/living-with-anxiety-c13e67729358
- Leatham, K., Abramowski, A., King, S., Broocklehurst, T. (2020). Coping with coronavirus anxiety. Happiful Magazine.https://happiful.com/coping-with-coronavirus-anxiety/
- Abramowski, A. (2020). Celebrating Mental Health Awareness around the theme of kindness. Medium.https://medium.com/@nlpsych17/celebrating-mental-health-awareness-week-around-the-theme-of-kindness-276a4d8cc46
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.
British Psychological Society
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I also specialise in bariatric psychology (psychological assessment and treatment prior to and after surgery), weight and pain management.
Therapies offered
Fees
£150.00 per session
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
My fees are £150 per session for individual therapy (50 minutes). You can pay me by bank transfer prior to the sessions.
Using private health insurances:
I am covered with most major health insurance providers, including Aviva, BUPA, BUPA Global, WPA, Cigna and Healix Health Services. Please contact your insurance provider prior to our meeting to ensure your treatment is covered by your policy.
Length of the sessions:
A therapeutic session lasts 50 minutes and we would usually meet at the same time every week and first agree on a therapeutic contract (either time-limited or longer-term) in order to meet your psychological goals. At our initial session, we will discuss your therapeutic needs and goals and decide on which treatment plan is the best fit for you.
Cancellation policy:
I do require 48 hours notice to cancel or change an appointment. If you do not give me notice or do not attend a session without letting me know, I will have to charge you for the missed session.
When I work
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I currently have availability to see clients from Monday-Friday from 8am until 5pm.
Further information
Areas that I work with include (but are not limited to):
- Abuse
- Anger
- Anxiety (general anxiety, health, OCD, social, panic attacks, phobia)
- Bariatric psychology (preparation before and after bariatric surgery)
- Bereavement/loss
- Body image disorder
- Chronic pain
- Couple and family work
- Depression
- Eating disorders (binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, EDNOS)
- Illness and identity
- Relationship problems
- Self-esteem/self-compassion
- Obesity/weight management difficulties
- Perfectionism
- Procrastination/time management
- Sleeping difficulties
- Stress (financial, work-related, illness, loss, isolation, loneliness)
- Trauma