Dr Melissa Harrison

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Clinical Psychologist
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on St. Albans AL1 & Radlett WD7
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

I am a Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist. I see clients in St Albans, Radlett, Watford, Bushey and further afield in Hertfordshire and North London.


Living with a chronic health condition can cause disability and distress and has a huge impact on a person’s quality of life. As a Clinical Psychologist, I have a special interest in helping people with the psychological impact of their health related problems. Having worked for many years in a variety of privately run and NHS based practices, I have gained experience in working with individuals on a 1:1, couples or group based level.

I enjoy working collaboratively with clients to develop an understanding of their problems and to assist them in “helping themselves”. I am experienced in the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Systemic, Psychodynamic and Integrative models/frameworks from which to best make sense of a person/and or family difficulties. Treatment strategies I use include models of adjustment, resilience and coping and acceptance therapies as well as mindfulness based relaxation therapy.

I see people with a wide variety of conditions and very often clients will be suffering from one or more conditions. My specialist expertise includes the following conditions although this list is not comprehensive.

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Anger and Stress Management
  • Panic Disorder
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Chronic Pain
  • Rheumatological problems
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ) and Trauma
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ( OCD )
  • Agoraphobia
  • Couples Therapy

I am able to see clients at the Albany Centre or via Skype. My fees for an initial assessment, which can last up to two hours, are £100. Following an initial assessment we can discuss options for further sessions.

Training, qualifications & experience

Experience

Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist-Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore-September 2015-Present

Clinical Psychologist - Buckinghamshire NHS Trust-Stoke Mandeville Hospital-National Spinal Injuries Centre and Amersham Hospital October 2012 – September 2015

Assistant Clinical Psychologist- Real Health Institute 2004 – 2007

Assistant Clinical Psychologist - Cassell Hospital - 2003 - 2004

Education

University of Hertfordshire - Doctor of Clinical Psychology 2009 – 2012

University of Southbank -  Psychology BA (Hons) 1st Class 2000 - 2003

Member organisations

school Registered / Accredited

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.

HCPC
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

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

Fees

Additional information

My fees cover the cost of meeting rooms, professional indemnity insurance, my preparation time and the consultation.

Initial assessment

The cost of an initial assessment is £100. An initial assessment typically lasts up to 2 hours and helps me to establish how I can help. Following an initially assessment I provide my recommendations for further treatment.

Follow up sessions

Following an initially assessment I may recommend a course of further sessions. The cost of these sessions varies dependant on location, the length of the sessions and whether or not payment is made in advance for a block of sessions.

Report writing

I charge an hourly rate for report writing and will always provide an estimate of my charges in advance.

Payment

Payment must be made at least 3 days prior to an appointment via either bank transfer or paypal (in respect of which there is a small additional charge). For blocks of sessions paid for in advance I can also accept cheques.

For report writing assignments I may ask for a deposit on account of my fees prior to commencing work on a report.

Insurance

You should check to see whether you have private medical insurance that will cover the costs of my services. In most cases you will need to pay for my services and reclaim the cost from your insurer.

Policy for cancellations and missed appointments

If you cannot make a session please let me know as soon as possible. The following policy applies to cancelled or missed appointments:-

  • Cancelled with 48 hours notice – A full credit against future sessions
  • Cancelled with 24 hours notice – A 50% credit against future sessions
  • Cancelled with less than 24 notice – no credit

Further information

I work with a wide variety of conditions which include long standing conditions and those that have recently developed. Very often clients will be suffering from one or more conditions. My specialist expertise includes the following conditions although this list is not comprehensive and I am able to assist patients with other conditions.

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Anger and Stress Management
  • Panic Disorder
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Chronic Pain
  • Rheumatological problems
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ) and Trauma
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ( OCD )
  • Agoraphobia
  • Couples Therapy

The Albany Centre, Victoria Street, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3JD

Radlett, Hertfordshire, WD7

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone