Dr Miguel Montenegro - Clinical Psychologist & Neuropsychologist

My Experience

I have been working in the field of psychotherapy since 1994 where I first qualified in Portugal, and then went to volunteer in Western Africa for 2 years providing practical and psychological support for disaster victims experiencing severe trauma. I am passionate about the work I do and I believe that people can create change in their lives with the right guidance and support. In the UK and since 2007, I have worked for the NHS and charitable organisations. I have worked for: Mersey Care NHS Trust, the Walton Centre NHS Trust, St Helens NHS Trust; and St Andrews Healthcare. I completed my doctorate in psychology in 2013.

At present, my work involves working with adolescents, adults and older adults experiencing a range of psychological distress and concerns. One branch of my work is with survivors of brain injury and their families (and other loved ones) to provide education and therapy for positive change and rehabilitation. My other work includes providing therapy for people facing life stress that may impact on their work and profession. I also work with people with long term conditions and often regarded as resistant to treatment, like personality disorders, bipolar, and learning disabilities.

My approach

I work from a range of models depending on your requirements. Therapies I use include

• cognitive behavioural (CBT)
• acceptance and commitment (ACT)
• Mindfulness-based therapy
• Solution focused
• Relapse prevention
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Neurobehavioural

I use these models interactively to help people achieve their goals. I am compassionate but inquisitive. My main priority is helping people feel empowered about their strengths, address their weaknesses, and focus on preventing relapse.

My UK academic qualifications include:

- BA Psychology with Criminology (2003-2006), University of Northampton

- MSc Child and Adolescent Mental Health (2006-2008), University of Northampton

- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (2010-2013), University of Liverpool

- Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (2009-2012), Chrysalis/ Open University

- Postdoctoral qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology (2017- current), University of Bristol

Other training I have completed

• Diploma in CBT, DBT and ACT (2016), SDS/BPS London
• HCR-20 training - version 3 (2016)
• BPS Advanced Supervisor training (2015)
• Bond Solon Expert Witness training (September 2013)
• The Good Lives Model for working with Forensic populations (2006).

My Credentials

I'm a registered clinical psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow with the British Psychological Society (BPS) both with the division of Clinical Psychology and the Division of Neuropsychology. I'm also Fellow member of the National Counselling Society (NCS) where I am registered as an Integrative Psychotherapist, accredited Health and Clinical Psychologist with EuroPSY (European Psychology Network), and approved clinical supervisor with the BPS and NCS.