About me
Thank you for visiting my page. I understand it can be difficult to choose the right therapist for your needs. So I have provided some information below about what you can expect to receive from our services. However, please contact us for an informal discussion or for any questions you may have.
I am the director of Utopia Psychological Services, which is a private mental health service based in Newcastle Under Lyme, in Staffordshire. I also see clients nationally and internationally.
I am a Chartered and HCPC registered doctor of Clinical Psychology, with a specialism in the treatment of complex trauma, and all common psychological difficulties such as anxiety, depression, OCD, complex PTSD, relationship difficulties, grief, work related stress and more.
I am also able to deliver EMDR as part of coaching for performance in the work place. Please enquire for more information.
Assessment
In your first sessions with me, we will complete a thorough holistic psychological assessment. This will involve me asking you questions about the problems you are experiencing. This will help me to understand you. A holistic psychological assessment may involve talking about your early life experiences, your experiences at school, work and education. It may also cover your significant relationships and any difficulties you may be having in this area of your life. We will cover your past, the present and your hopes for the future. This assessment will then enable us to develop an understanding/ hypothesis (formulation) about the issue, for example:
1) What your current difficulties are
2) The factors in your early life (If any) that may be contributing to these difficulties
3) Recent events which have triggered your current problems
4) What is preventing you from getting better or reaching your goals
5) What your strengths are or what resources you have which will help you to get better
6) What your goals are
Care plan/ Treatment plan
Once we have gathered the above information we can develop a care plan or a treatment plan. This will be based on my recommendation of what psychological therapy I think would be helpful for you. This will be based on the most up to date clinical research and also on guidance from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). In drawing up this plan we would take into consideration which goals you would like to prioritise. This plan would also take into account what you are able to afford. I am able to design a psychological intervention which is brief (1-6 sessions), or medium (6-20) to longer term (20 +).
You are also able to attend for an assessment only service. I can complete an assessment snd document any findings in a report, which you may like to share with your GP. I can include recommendations within this report if necessary.
Experience
I hold over 22 years experience delivering Mental Health Services in the NHS. During this time, I have had the opportunity to work within In-patient, Out-patient and community mental health services. This means that I have treated people with a wide range of difficulties and across the whole range of severity. Having seen positive results for people experiencing mild, moderate or severe difficulties, means that I am confident about the effectiveness of therapy and people's potential to change their circumstances for the better. I have held Clinical Psychology positions within the NHS and also within a national charity, treating survivors of torture and those who have experienced organized violence. .
I specialise in working with trauma along the whole spectrum of severity e.g. from human rights abuses, childhood abuse to bullying. There has been an increase in demand from individuals who are experiencing trauma and stress due to their work e.g. Police officers, humanitarian workers, and also those working in stressful corporate settings. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) are now available via some organisations, therefore, it is worth asking your HR department about this.
Positions
Director and Consultant Clinical Psychologist - Utopia Psychological Services - 2015 - Present
Consultant Clinical Psychologist and lead for Physical Health Psychology NHS - 2020 - Dec 2025
Clinical Psychologist - Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust - 2010-Present
Clinical Psychologist - Freedom from Torture West Midlands - 2010 - 2015
Trainee Clinical Psychologist - University of Nottingham/ Derbyshire Mental Health Services - 2007-2010
Assistant Psychologist - South Birmingham Learning Disabilities Services -2006 -2007
Assistant Psychologist - Moseley Hall Hospital Birmingham - 2005-2006
Health Care Assistant - Notts Healthcare Highbury Hospital - 2003- 2005
Qualifications
2021 - Prince2 Project Management Practitioner
2016 - Bond Solon Expert Witness Certificate - Cardiff University/Bond Solon 2013 - Training of Trainers - Solution Focused Therapy
2012 - EMDR Certificate part 1,2 & 3
2011 - STAR Supervisor training
2011 - Training of Trainers - Freedom from Torture
2010 - Doctorate of Clinical Psychology
2004 - BSc Psychology Honours
Philosophy
My work is my passion and I pride myself in delivering a high standard of service. I am constantly trying to learn new methods and approaches to helping people and thrive on seeing people improve their situation and enjoying a better quality of life. You can arrange a free, no obligation, telephone call to discuss your needs further on 01782 692 807
Training, qualifications & experience
You can learn more about me and my experience on my website at www.utopiapsychology.co.uk or on my Linked in profile at: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dr-sobia-khan-1bb99b2a
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
I am able to deliver therapy through an interpreter and I am also able to adapt mainstream therapies to ensure they are culturally appropriate and sensitive.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£130.00 per session
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
I offer everyone a Free of Charge Pre-Assessment Telephone Consultation
The fees below are for a 50 minute face to face, telephone or video counselling session.
Self Funded Treatment
- Individual Assessment & Therapy: £130 per session
Health Insurance
Most national and international Private Healthcare companies are accepted including (but not limited to):
- Bupa
- Axa
- Cigna
- Pru Health
- Aviva
- Simply Health
- WPA
- and more…
It may be possible to use your private health insurance to cover the cost or part of the cost of your appointments. Each healthcare provider (Bupa, Axa, Aviva, Cigna etc) have slightly different policies but most of them are happy for you to approach us directly in the first instance.
Further information
It is worth remembering that therapists are often able to work short-term which may fit with your budget. It may be worth discussing these issues at a consultation or even on the phone, so that if your therapist offers flexibility in their fees or frequency of sessions, they can make this known to you.
