Dr Naomi Spokes
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, professionally registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Psychological Society (BPS). I offer skilled, compassionate, evidence-based support to people who find themselves in distress or at a point in their lives when they would like to speak to a trained professional.
I have a broad training in a number of psychological models including psychodynamic psychotherapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and systemic therapy. Whilst I specialise in approaches that are interested in the less conscious aspects of our functioning and the ways in which our early experiences influence how we relate to ourselves and others, I draw on my knowledge and skills from other psychological therapies in an integrative way to ensure I tailor sessions to suit your needs.
I believe that everyone has their own unique needs, strengths, and difficulties and through the therapeutic process I aim to help individuals make sense of their experiences and how they may be impacting their current functioning, with the goal of achieving greater fulfilment and satisfaction in their lives and relationships.
My consulting room is within easy reach of Wimbledon and surrounding areas and I offer sessions in various arrangements depending on your needs. This includes face-to-face, telephone, and online therapy. I am fully insured and have an enhanced DBS check.
Services offered
I offer short-term time limited work, as well as long-term therapy, to adult clients in a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential environment. This includes support for difficulties associated with but not limited to anxiety, depression, eating problems, interpersonal and relationship difficulties, medically unexplained symptoms, grief and bereavement, abuse, LGBTQ+ related concerns, work related stress, and unresolved childhood issues. I also provide supervision to trainee and qualified psychologists, and consultation to GPs to advise on how best to support their patients’ mental health needs.
Initial phone contact
Before our first meeting, I recommend we have a brief telephone conversation to discuss what has brought you to seek therapy, how you hope therapy might help you, and any previous interventions you may have received. There is no cost associated with this initial phone contact and you are under no obligation to engage subsequently - I am happy to discuss other treatment options and services that may be more appropriate. If, however, you feel comfortable to proceed, we will make an appointment for a further consultation where we can discuss your difficulties in more detail.
Initial consultation/ assessment process
This is an opportunity to explore the issues troubling you in greater detail and to establish a focus for therapy, should you wish to proceed. It can be helpful to meet for a number of appointments to allow sufficient time to develop a preliminary understanding of the difficulties you are experiencing, to determine whether we feel comfortable working together, and to reflect on your experience of our meetings in between sessions. It is also an opportunity to ask any questions that you may have. At the end of the assessment period I will share with you my understanding of what we have discussed and we will think together about the best way forward. This may lead to ongoing therapy sessions or signposting to alternative services where appropriate.
Therapy
Following the assessment period, if we decide to meet for further therapy sessions, I will suggest a block of sessions and then a review to monitor our progress. Sessions are offered at least once weekly for an agreed time period, or on an open-ended basis.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Psychology - Royal Holloway, University of London
MSc Research Methods in Psychology - University Of Reading
BPS Accredited Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsychD) – University of Surrey
Training and Courses
Certificate in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (D58 Course) - Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust & University of Essex (2014-2016)
Two year Infant Observation - British Psychotherapy Foundation (BPF; 2017-2019)
Clinical Psychology Supervisor Training - University of Surrey (2014)
Clinical Psychology Supervisor Training - University of London (Royal Holloway, UCL, and UEL; 2017)
Counselling Psychology Supervisor Training - City, University of London (2018)
Experience
Alongside my private practice, I have over fifteen years’ experience working with clients across the lifespan in various NHS mental health settings. This includes Primary Care, Secondary Care Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs), Child and Adolescent Services (CAMHS), and Psychotherapy Services, offering help for day-to-day issues to more complex psychological problems including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, personality disorders, eating disorders, abuse, medically unexplained symptoms, and pre and postnatal depression and anxiety.
I am also experienced in offering clinical supervision and reflective practice to final year Clinical and Counselling Psychologists in Training, and have provided regular psychological consultation to GPs to consider how best to support their patients’ mental health needs.
Furthermore, I have conducted, co-supervised, and published research exploring factors influencing non-disclosure in therapy, with a particular focus on the roles of shame and the therapeutic relationship.
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
- Shame
- Donor conception
Therapies offered
Fees
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
I offer an initial brief telephone contact to discuss your needs. This is free of charge and there is no commitment to engage further at this stage.
Consultation and therapy sessions are of 50 minutes duration and offered weekly. Fees for more frequent sessions or long-term therapy are negotiable and we would discuss this together. Payment can be made by cash or bank transfer and is due on the day. Once therapy is established, invoices will be sent monthly.
I have a number of low fee vacancies – please do enquire should you wish to discuss this.
Healthcare Professionals
Please contact me to discuss supervision or consultation requirements for healthcare professionals, and associated fees.
Cancellation Policy
Upon commencing therapy you are committing to attending regularly and the same session time(s) will be reserved for you each week. If you are unable to attend a therapy session I will try to offer you an alternative appointment where possible. Alternatively, if you are unable to attend in person, we can have the session(s) remotely by zoom or telephone.
When I work
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Daytime: 9-3pm
