Dr Robert Jones

Everyone experiences difficulties in their lives. Sometimes we can manage these difficulties alone, sometimes with the help of others around us, and sometimes we need a little bit more. 

I've been through therapy myself. I understand how daunting it is to reach out to somebody and worrying that you'll be judged or rejected for the things that you think and the ways that you feel. But you've taken a really brave step in searching for help and I can guarantee that no matter what you say, I will support you and try to help you move forward. 

The most important thing with therapy is that we focus on you and what you want. Where possible, I'll always be led by you and trust that you know what you need most. My style of therapy tends to be quite informal. 

Why choose me as your therapist

I am a qualified clinical psychologist currently working in Mental Health Services within the NHS and privately. My training and experience allows me to draw from a wide range of psychological models and ideas to create a therapy that is right for you.  I tend to be quite integrative in my approach. This means I try not to stick to just one psychology, but mix and match based on what you find is and is not helpful. Where possible, I'll always be led by you and what you think is best. You know yourself far better than anyone else.

I can help you using a variety of psychological models such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, but often I find that the most helpful thing I can do is listen.

Psychological Models I use

There are a number of different ways of delivering psychological therapy. These different methods are called models. Below are the sorts of models I'm trained to use that I like best. However, if you have a particular preference for something else, please let me know.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

This is probably the most famous psychological model. It is based on the idea that our difficulties come from the sense we make of things that happen rather than the events themselves. It is an active therapy based on changing the way that we think and behave, so that we interact with these events differently. This is often done by testing our assumptions and using evidence to change unhelpful ways of thinking.

It is especially helpful for people with anxiety, depression, psychosis, or trauma.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

This is based less on making problems smaller, and more on building up the good in our lives so that the problems seem smaller in comparison. It is based on identifying our individual values and helping us to live more closely to them. It also bases on accepting the difficulties in life and continuing without allowing them to interfere with us.

It is helpful for a wide variety of difficulties since it focuses on making the best of life despite whatever hardships we face.

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

This is based on helping us to become more kind and compassionate to ourselves and others.  It uses a mix of relaxation and imagination exercises.

It is especially helpful for shame, guilt, and low self-esteem.

Psychodynamic Counselling

Counselling is less directive than the other models listed above and is much more based around us having a conversation. Sessions will be much more led by you and my main inputs will be asking questions and reflecting on the things that you say. This generally is a much slower therapy and can be quite open ended.

It is especially helpful for helping to make sense of early experiences or to make sense of emotional difficulties, anger, or low self-worth.

Systemic Family Therapy

This is for couples or families and involves considering each others' perspectives.

What would happen in therapy?

• To begin with, we would arrange to have a chat over the phone or online. This would take about 20 minutes and give us chance to get to know each other and see if we click. I'd ask some questions about what you feel you need help with but probably nothing too deep. I'll also give you a few forms to complete that relate to your difficulties.
• If you wanted to continue, we'd then have a first session. I'd mostly look to spend this time relationship building and getting a sense of what's gone on for you. I'd mostly let you lead the conversation and go where you wanted to go. By the end of the first or second session, we would hopefully have decided between us whether you want to use a particular psychological model or a selection of various ones.
• We'd then spend a few sessions creating a formulation. This is a shared understanding of what led to your current difficulties. It would take into account your early life, as well as current thoughts and feelings.
• Once we've made sense of why your difficulties came about, we'll start to try and work with them. There are a number of different ways we could do this. Sometimes it will just mean talking, and sometimes it will involve more active work and homework.
• After this, we'll focus on ensuring that progress made is maintained, and think about the best ways to move forward.

This process would be similar for individual or group sessions. It would also be the same for working with children, though the techniques and conversations would be simplified as needed.

Supervision

I also offer clinical supervision to qualified and trainee clinical psychologists and counsellors.