Dr Charlotte Whiteley
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am a chartered psychologist working with individuals, couples, relationships and families on both a short and long term basis. I currently work in the NHS and run a mindfulness-based psychology service, offering a range of therapies at different fee structures. I also lecture at City University on a doctoral programme. I have 15 years experience working in the NHS as well as private and charity sectors with a diverse range of client groups.
My areas of speciality include:
- Relationship, couples and family therapy
- Depression, anxiety and stress
- Loneliness and isolation
- Gender and sexuality
- Physical health conditions and chronic pain
- Mindfulness and Compassion
- Suicidal thoughts and feelings
- Life transitions, such as separations, deaths, births and illnesses
- Loss of meaning and purpose
- Eating Disorders
- Work-related anxiety and stress
- Self-criticism and shame
I pay particular attention to the ways in which our relationship with ourselves, others and society impacts on how we feel in the world. I therefore place great importance on the therapeutic relationship, providing a safe, confidential and non-judgemental therapeutic space.
I am trained and experienced in working from a diverse range of therapeutic models, or 'types of therapy'. But underpinning these approaches is my relational, client-centred, compassionate and non-judgmental attitude.
In addition to paying close attention to relationships, I draw on mindfulness, compassion-focused and cognitive behavioural therapeutic interventions as well as existential and systemic theory. These evidenced-based models enhance my understanding of human distress and compliment the emphasis I place on how we all uniquely experience our difficulties.
In addition to the therapeutic models from which I work, I also pay close attention to relationship patterns, social groups, relgious and cultural backgrounds, gender and gender diversity, sexuality and (dis)ability. The experience of difference, diversity and marginalisation can have a profound impact on how we feel about ourselves and are particular areas of interest to me.
I have practiced mindfulness meditation for the past twenty years and I often draw on my experience and knowledge of buddhism and mindfulness to inform my practices.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
- Doctorate in Counselling Psychology gained from University of Surrey (Dpsych)
- Graduate diploma in systemic family and relationship therapy gained from Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust
- Certificate in Enhanced Cognitive Behvioural Therapy for Eating Disorders
Training in Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity (GSRD) - Psychology undergraduate degree (first class) gained from City University London (BSc)
Training and Experience
I have worked in a number of settings with a diverse range of clients and difficulties. My early experiences were gained from working with individuals in extreme distress experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings. I then worked in a variety of settings with children, adolescents and adults who had experienced traumas.
Within the NHS, I have worked in an anxiety disorder residential unit with adults diagnosed with various anxiety disorders including obsessive compulsive disorder, body dysmorphia, health and social anxiety. I have also worked in a mood disorder service supporting people with depression and other mood related difficulties. I worked in a specialist NHS eating disorder service with both inpatients and outpatients. I have also worked at the Tavistock and Portman specialist Gender Identity Clinic. Additionally, I have a wide range of experience in private practice.
Publications, conferences and teaching
Publications
Whiteley, C. (2017) The impact of in-session weighing in eating disorder services on the therapeutic relationship: A flexible, transparent and reflective approach, Counselling Psychology Review, 22, 2.
Whiteley, C., Coyle, A. and Gleeson, K. (2017) An idiographic analysis of women's accounts of living with mental health conditions in Haredi Jewish communities. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 1367-4676.
Conferences and presentations
Whiteley, C. (2017) An idiographic analysis of women's accounts of living with mental health conditions in Haredi Jewish communities, Counselling Psychology Annual Conference, Stratford-Upon-Avon, United Kingdom. July 6-7 2017.
Whiteley, C. (2018) Gender Identity and Eating Disorders. St Anns Eating Disorder Service, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust, United Kingdom. December 2018.
Teaching
Lecturer at City University doctorate in counselling psychology, group theory, specialist supervision, queer theory, CBT, systemic theory, research supervision (2020 - present)
Visiting lecturer in Play Therapy on doctorate in counselling psychology at University of Surrey (2017).
Visiting lecturer in Eating Disorders on Masters Programme in mental health at University College London (2017).
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
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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
£50.00 - £160.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
I offer an initial free of charge consultation. This will give you a sense of me and how I work and also give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the process of therapy.
Please book an initial 15 minute consultation here: https://the-mindful-psychology-practice-ltd.selectandbook.com/
Payment can be made by cash or bank transfer on the day of our appointment. I have a 48 hour cancellation policy, otherwise sessions will be charged in full.
Further information
About the therapy sessions
Therapy begins with an initial free of charge consultation lasting 20 minutes. This is an opportunity to discuss your difficulties and think together about therapy going forward. It will also be an opportunity for us to get to know one another and for you to ask any questions or express any concerns or worries you may have about therapy. Following this, we can decide together how often we meet. Sessions are 50 minute in length. Couple/relationship/family sessions can be arranged at intervals that work for the couple/relationship/family and these sessions can either be arranged as 50 minute sessions or 75 minute sessions, which tends to be preferable when therapy involves more than one person.
Therapy is reviewed at regular intervals and can be short or longer term depending on your individual needs and circumstances.
