Rhiannon Poulsom

At times we all feel like we’ve lost hope. The hope that things can improve, the hope our distress will reduce and the hope that we’ll feel less alone. But that hope is never gone for good, and we just need someone to help us find it again. I am here to empower you, support you, encourage you and guide you through whatever it is you are struggling with, instilling a renewed sense of hope and emotional wellbeing.

Whether you are struggling with stress, relationship difficulties, past trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional distress or things that you just can’t make sense of, I can help. Sometimes we feel we can manage alone, but sometimes we need a little help and support to help us to feel ourselves again, and that's okay. 

Reaching out is hard, but this can be the first step in trying to move forward at a time when things can feel stuck, and if you're here then you've already done something really brave and I'm here to help. 

Why choose me as your therapist?

I am a qualified and accredited Psychological therapist working both within the NHS and privately. I have over 8 years’ experience working therapeutically with individuals using a variety of psychological models. My experience enables me to draw from several models to create a therapy that is right for you.

My approach tends to be quite informal and I hope the amount that I care shines through all of my work. I am compassionate and understand that your journey through your experience is unique and individual to you, therefore your care should also reflect this. 

At times I will guide you, but most importantly I endeavour to empower you to take control of your own mental health.

I have extensive experience working with individuals and families experiencing a wide range of difficulties and from a variety of backgrounds. I have clinical expertise in working with mood disorders such as cyclothymia and bipolar type I and type II. I regularly work with significant depression, anxiety disorders and difficulties with emotions. Anxiety disorders are broad and range from agoraphobia, Body dysmorphia, OCD, generalised anxiety, health anxiety, panic and perfectionistic tendencies. I also work with the more complex psychosis, paranoid thoughts and voice hearing.

Psychological models:

Psychological therapy is made of what we call ‘models’, but this is just a term for types of therapy psychologists offer.

Among other models, I have specialised training in Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and unlike others who may have attended a few days of training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or may have done it as a module within wider therapy training, I have completed a two year post graduate training course specifically in CBT.

Our brains are great story tellers and interpret information based on the stories we’ve been told before that have defined our thoughts and beliefs. How we feel and behave in a situation is often defined by these beliefs. If we believe going to the supermarket is scary and unmanageable, we start to focus on all the ways that it is, rather than on all the ways we are safe. We may then decide that the situation is too much and run away. The more times this happens, the more this is reinforced, and we begin to see this belief as absolute truth. CBT can be used to help us begin to unpick some of these thoughts and beliefs and begin to understand why we behave the way we do. When we understand why we do the things we do, we can begin to change things.

Other models that I offer are Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), Compassion Focussed therapy (CFT) and couples counselling, couples therapy and family therapy. 

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), focusses on an individuals values and goals for the future and finding ways to build up other aspects of their life so their difficulties feel smaller and more manageable. This can be done in a variety of ways but it is partly focussing on finding ways to accept our experiences and learn to live alongside them, instead of fighting them. When we are able to do this, we are able to live  more fulfilling lives.

Compassion focussed therapy (CFT) focusses on a persons experiences and how this has made them feel. Some might feel guilt, shame, have low self esteem and low self confidence and this can be linked to a traumatic event or events but we might not know why we feel this way. CFT looks at ways in which we can be more compassionate to ourselves.

Psychodynamic counselling is less formal than the above models and creates a space to enable you to talk openly about your experiences and is more conversation based. In sessions, I would aid you to question some of your experiences, making sense of them and finding a way to process and move forward.

Couples or family therapy is centred on helping couples or families to talk about their experiences and come together to find ways in which to move forward. 

Behavioural Family Therapy (BFT) is designed to help families who are struggling with a wide variety of difficulties within the family unit. It helps families to communicate and work together to problem solve difficulties and challenges. It can also help if someone within the family unit has mental health needs as it includes education and information on symptoms and management, and can help families feel more connected and understood. This therapy is usually undertaken with 2 therapists and therefore may accrue additional costs. 

 What would therapy involve?

Firstly, we would arrange to have a chat over the phone or online to see how I might be able to help and to see if you feel that I am the right person to help you. If you choose to continue, we would then spend a couple of sessions figuring out what is happening for you and coming to a shared understanding of your difficulties. We would then have a think about what model or a combination of models might be useful for you and begin to actively work on moving forward and this might mean talking or being active in sessions and some homework. 

Once the work is done, we then move to relapse prevention. This is where we work to develop a plan to help you should the difficultly arise again. Unlike the first time round, you will now be skilled and have a toolkit to help guide you through the difficulty, and hopefully, aid you to manage this on your own. Like insurance, we do this hoping that you will never need it but want to make sure you are prepared if you do. This lasts around one to four sessions.

Couples or family therapy would involve the same process as above.

What happens next? 
If you think that you would like to explore this further, I offer a free 30 minute introductory call or video call so that we can begin to get a sense of what your difficulties are. This time will also be a chance for you to suss out whether you think I could be someone who would be able to help and whether you feel I am the right person to support you through this journey. 

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