Dr Heather Dyson
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
We all experience emotional distress at some point in our lives. Sometimes these feelings of anxiety and sadness can leave us feeling isolated and overwhelmed.
At my practice in Leatherhead, I am able to offer individual therapy sessions in a safe, supportive space and help you navigate these unsettling, often difficult, emotions.
As a registered member of the BPS (British Psychological Society) and HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council), I adhere to the highest ethical standards. These fundamental guidelines inform my practice every day, meaning that I provide gold-standard care and maintain strict confidentiality, without judgement.
There are many reasons why individuals choose to access therapy and it can be a daunting, sometimes painful, step. Please be assured that, with over a decade of experience, I offer an even-handed yet supportive approach in a safe, confidential setting.
If you...
- have experienced a road traffic accident, rape, human trafficking, physical assault, or conflict/war.
- Are feeling disconnected from yourself and those around you.
- Are struggling to manage feelings of anxiety.
- Are managing your distress through strategies such as self-harming behaviours.
- Have experienced a trauma, or witnessed a traumatic event.
- Identify with one of the following...
- Abuse.
- Trauma.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Complex-PTSD (C-PTSD).
- Depression.
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder.
I can help.
My doctoral training means that I am able to work drawing on a variety of therapeutic approaches, including, cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, existential and humanistic therapies, as well as Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy.
Seeking help from a qualified psychologist can be a positive step forward in addressing these difficulties. As well as working in private practice, I have over ten years of experience working within the NHS and various charitable sectors.
I specialise in working with individuals who have experienced trauma resulting in enduring mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex PTSD (C-PTSD), anxiety, depression, as well as complex interpersonal and relational difficulties.
I have experience of working with armed forces personnel (having worked for several years with Combat Stress), as well emergency service personnel. I currently work in the NHS as a Senior Chartered Counselling Psychologist, providing individual therapy, supervision, and training on trauma-informed care.
Training, qualifications & experience
Working within the NHS, Combat Stress, National Crime Agency, and various charitable organisations including Trauma Treatment International, has provided me with a unique insight into how individuals manage their distress.
I have successfully worked with individuals whom have experienced a single incident trauma, as well as those who have experienced multiple traumatic events throughout their lifetime.
If you...
- Are having nightmares
- Are struggling to connect with others and feeling increasingly isolated
- Are feeling more irritable and possibly more aggressive to those around you
- Are using unhelpful coping strategies (drugs, alcohol, self-harming behaviours) to manage your emotions
- Are avoiding anything which reminds you of your traumatic experience...
I can help.
Many of my clients initially stated how they didn't feel that anyone would be able to understand their experience. You may also agree with this sentiment. Whilst it's true that we can never truly know another's experience, my extensive training and years of experience will help me to connect with your subjective experience, without any assumptions or judgement.
Together, we will work on processing these experiences to decrease your levels of distress and increase your wellbeing.
Qualifications & Research
- BSc Psychology
- MSc Clinical and Abnormal Psychology
- DPsych in Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Psychology
- EMDR level three practitioner training
- Crossfields Institute Level 6 Diploma in the IFEEL Method of Equine Facilitated Psychotraumatology
- Dyson, H. & Brown, D. (2016). The Experience of Mentalization-Based Treatment. An Interpretative Phenomenological Study. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 37(8), 586-595.
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Dyson, H., & Gorvin, L. (2017). How Is a Label of Borderline Personality Disorder Constructed on Twitter: A Critical Discourse Analysis. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 38(10), 780-790.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Veterans
Emergency Service Personnel
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£80.00 - £110.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Individual sessions (50mins) - Online £100.00, In-person £110.00
Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (80mins) - £150.00
Assessment reports - £100.00 per hour
Concessions:
Concessions will be offered to Trainee Psychologists (on production of evidence of enrolment on an accredited PsychD course), Veterans (on production of evidence of service number), and currently employed emergency service/NHS personnel for their individual sessions. Charges for initial assessments will not be discounted.
Trainee Psychologists - Online £80.00, In-person £100.00
Veterans/Emergency Service/NHS Personnel - Online £80.00, In-person £100.00
Cancellations:
Your appointment will be kept solely for you. Therefore, any cancellations within 24 hours will be charged at the full rate.
Health Insurance:
I am a registered healthcare provider with:-
- Aviva
- Cigna
- Vitality Health
- AXA PPP
- Aetna Global Benefits
When I work
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Online:
Mon: 09:00am - 21:00pm
Fri: 08:30am-12:00pm
In-Person:
Tues: 09:30am-16:00pm
Thurs 10:00am-13:00pm
Equine-Facilitated Therapy:
Mon 13:00-16:00
Wed 11:00 - 16:00
Fri 14:00-17:00
Further information
Please note: I am unable to offer a crisis service. If you experiencing suicidal thoughts and need urgent help, please contact your GP or go to your nearest A+E for immediate help.
