Dr Kalyco Stobart

How I can help:

Please note I am offering both in person and online appointments

There are many reasons why people seek psychological support, perhaps you feel stuck in one or more areas of your life or you have noticed unhelpful and hurtful patterns of thinking and behaviour, and would like this to be different. You may want to better understand where these patterns come from and how they can change. Often life can ‘look good on paper’ and yet you still feel unhappy or that something is lacking in your life. In therapy, we can explore what might be underlying a sense of discontent or unease. Once issues are brought to our attention we can more easily make sense of what is going on, in order to think about how things can be different. I offer a safe space in which we can think, together, about what is happening and bring a new perspective to your difficulties and begin formulating a way forward. Psychological research consistently demonstrates that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is the primary indicator of a positive outcome of therapy. I aim to develop warm, genuine collaborations based on respect, curiosity and acceptance. I work with both individuals and couples.

Experience:

I am a qualified counselling psychologist and an accredited member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). I have worked in NHS mental health services over the past 10 years with people struggling with depression, low mood, anxiety disorders, relationship problems, self-esteem issues, loss, work related stress and other difficulties. I have helped people with more complex, long and enduring problems such as chronic depression, OCD, emotional intensity and instability as well as ‘personality disorders’.

As I have worked in primary care as well as with more severe and chronic problems I have built up a variety of skills and expertise. I offer longer term as well as briefer treatment plans according to clinical assessment. I have worked in a busy private practice offering specialist assessment and treatment to adults, adolescents and couples.

Therapies offered:

Integrative Counselling Psychology

Integrative counselling psychology draws on humanistic, psychodynamic and cognitive models to focus on a person’s meaning making of their subjective experience. My integrative approach acknowledged the inherent difficulties but also the ever-present potential for growth and development in the human experience. It also allows therapy to be more flexible and inclusive according to an individuals particular difficulties and therapeutic goals.  This approach caters to both those who are interested in exploring the impact of past experiences of present ways of thinking and feeling whilst others may after a more pragmatic set of skills to better manage those difficulties.

Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT)

Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) is a time-limited, structured psychotherapy, with a growing evidence base in its effectiveness of treating depression. Typically it is delivered over 16 weekly sessions. It aims to help clarify the connection between presenting symptoms and what is happening in relationships by identifying a core repetitive pattern of relating that can be traced back to childhood. Once this pattern is identified, it will be used to make sense of difficulties in relationships in the here and now that could be contributing to psychological stress.

3rd Wave CBT therapies

3rd wave CBT extends the traditional cognitive behavioural theories that thinking, feeling and behaviour are all active contributors to low mood and anxiety, which can be resolved by changing what we do, think or feel. 3rd wave CBT draws on neurological research, decades on evolving psychological practice as well as ancient concepts such as compassion and mindfulness to develop a new way of working.  This approach focuses less on the content of thoughts and pays more attention to the context, process and function of these internal experiences. 3rd wave CBT can offer more pragmatic skills and strategies to support different ways or responding to psychological pain and distress. This type of therapy may be useful for people suffering from low mood, anxiety, high expectations of themselves, or tendency to ‘over think’.

Relationship Counselling and Couples Therapy

Relationships are vital for us as humans and when they go wrong that can cause a great deal of distress. Attending sessions together to focus on the couple can be an opportunity to explore what might be happening between the two partners. The sessions are an opportunity to safely explore areas of concern and allow partners to communicate with one another to identify and begin to understand underlying conflicts. Due to the complex nature of relationships, people may find themselves responding to difficulties they may have had in their past as well as current challenges and this is useful to think about as a couple. As in individual therapy, couples may enter into therapy as a result of a crisis as well as at times of feeling stuck or desire to improve in some way.

Getting Started:

I recommend we have a brief conversation on the phone before making an initial appointment. This gives me a chance to hear more about the kinds of difficulties you would like help with and to discuss how I can be of help.

At the initial appointment, I can explain more fully about the process of therapy and we can discuss what might be helpful for you at that point. I am able to offer flexible personalised therapy plans depending on what is required from briefer to longer term treatment. You will be able to ask me further questions about how I work, my experience and qualifications and determine whether you feel we can work together.

Appointments typically last just under an hour and cost £110. I accept private insurance (please note this incurs a £20 administration fee). I have a very limited amount of reduced cost appointments for therapists in training and those on low income. Appointments will typically be at the same time each week however I can offer alternative arrangements depending on availability.

Cancellation Policy:

If you cancel your arranged appointment with less than 48 hours you will be charged the full fee.