Dr Michelle Conn

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BSc (Hons), PsychD, CPsychol
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7SD
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

I am a Chartered Clinical Psychologist who has worked clinically for over fifteen years in a range of NHS and private settings with individuals, couples and families at various different life stages.

I am experienced in helping people to explore and manage a range of issues including:

  • Anxiety & Worry (Including specific anxiety disorders such as phobias, generalised anxiety disorder, health anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorder)
  • Low mood & Depression
  • Stress related issues
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Management of issues in relation to school or work.
  • Behavioural difficulties such as managing anger or repeating cycles of unhelpful behaviour (e.g. living life on auto-pilot, or avoiding confronting difficulties that may contribute to feeling "stuck in a rut")

I have a particular interest in working with people for whom there is an interaction between their physical and mental health and where exploring issues such as loss, guilt, changes in role, body image or physical functioning may be central to understanding what maintains their distress and difficulties. Helping people to examine where psychological factors such as personality style or stress drive their behaviour can be useful in opening up alternative ways of approaching problems or coping.

I am also passionate about helping groups and organisations think psychologically about complex issues such as emotional resilience in schools or promoting psychological wellbeing in settings such as hospitals or residential homes.


Approach

Assessment

As a Clinical Psychologist I am trained to select and utilise a range of assessment tools and integrate information from various sources such as psychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, observations and clinical interviews depending on the purpose of the assessment.  The assessment may take place over several sessions depending on the degree of complexity.  It will focus on understanding your current situation, and explore how and when problems developed.

Formulation

The formulation is a key part of the psychological process, and involves integrating the assessment information with psychological theory to provide a framework for describing and understanding your situation. This is where we pull together the relevant bits of your life story and past experiences in order to help us make sense of who you are, and what you do, and highlight where changes, if relevant, might be possible.  My training and experience allows me to draw from a number of models of therapy including behavioural, cognitive behavioural (CBT), systemic and psychodynamic therapies.  I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy and use it as either a stand alone treatment or as part of a broader piece of therapeutic  work.  I also utilise ideas from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) and narrative approaches when useful.  My broad and extensive training helps me to tailor specific formulations and treatments plans to you and your personal situation, thus increasing the efficacy of our work.

Intervention

The intervention, if required, is based on the formulation.  For some people having an extended assessment and formulation may be sufficient to help them see the links between factors that cause and maintain their particular difficulties.  For others, further sessions, called therapy, may be required to help them to develop alternative ways of coping or responding to their difficulties.

This may involve:

  • psycho-education (education to understand the nature of unpleasant physical or emotional symptoms and their link to difficulties such as anxiety or depression)
  • using psychological models to facilitate change (e.g. when there are difficulties with motivation)
  • skills training (e.g. teaching skills such as mindfulness or techniques to manage worrying or negative thoughts)
  • teaching problem solving skills
  • exploring personal values and belief structures to unveil meaningful aspects of life and guide value-based action
  • conducting behavioural experiments (termed "homework" in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, to test out beliefs or practice techniques taught in sessions)
  • looking at ways to improve communication techniques or the quality of relationships.

Type of clients

  • Individuals.
  • Couples.
  • Families.
  • Organisations.

Format

  • Face to face assessment and therapy.
  • Short term or long term – time-limited and agreed to facilitate independence.
  • Mentoring.
  • Supervision.
  • Training.
  • Consultation.

Contact

Please do not hesitate to contact me:

enquiries@drconn.co.uk 

Additional Information

  • As am member of the British Psychological Society, I abide by their Code of Ethics and Conduct (2009).  I am also registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.  These affiliations mean that I agree to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethical consideration in all aspects of my therapeutic work and decision-making and am regularly monitored to ensure I abide by the professional standards as outlined by the HCPC.
  • I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and as such am required by law to acquire, use, keep and store all personal information in accordance to the rules and regulations as outlined in the Data Protection Act 1998.

Training, qualifications & experience

Qualifications

  • BPS Accredited Practitioner Doctorate in Clinical Psychology: PsychD, University of Surrey
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology & Health Sciences: BSc, First, (Hons), University of Liverpool

Membership of professional bodies

  • Chartered Clinical Psychologist with the British Psychological Psychology (BPS)
  • Registered Clinical Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
  • Member of the BPS Division of Clinical Psychology & Faculty of Clinical Health Psychology
  • Member of the British Pain Society & Special Interest Group in Pain Management

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.

BPS
British Psychological Society (BPS)

British Psychological Society

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

Free initial telephone session

Health Insurance/EAP

  • check_circle Aviva
  • check_circle Axa Health
  • check_circle BUPA
  • check_circle Cigna
  • check_circle Vitality
  • check_circle WPA

Additional information

£110 per 55 minute session.

My fees reflect the fact that I have attained extensive training to doctorate level and I have access to a number of skills and techniques outside the remit of a standard counsellor. As a HCPC registered therapist I hold the protected title of Clinical Psychologist, and am governed by the only legally-recognised body for counselling and psychotherapy. The Chartered status of my membership with the British Psychological Society reflects the highest standard of psychological knowledge and expertise, and demonstrates an ongoing commitment to reflective practice (learning from each individual client) and professional development.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Clinic at The Chestnuts on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Online appointments on Wednesdays.

The Chestnuts Psychology & Therapy Centre, The Chestnuts, 18 East Street, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7SD

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Children (0-12)
Young people (13-17)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Couples
Families
Groups
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

Wheelchair user access info
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Supervision

In person
Online
Phone

I am a current supervisor for Trainee Clinical Psychologists on the University of Surrey Doctorate course.

View supervision profile

Dr Michelle Conn
Dr Michelle Conn