Dr Sophie Ann Clifton BSc, MSc, PGCert, DClinPsych, HCPC Registered

Hello, I'm Sophie Ann -  a qualified, HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist with extensive academic and clinical experience in the field of psychology.

I have worked alongside people of all ages, from a variety of backgrounds, experiencing a broad range of mental health difficulties. These include depression, anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), workplace stress, attachment and relationship difficulties. I have also helped those with co-morbid long-term physical health conditions, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), diabetes, and weight management difficulties.

I believe in taking a genuine empathic and non-judgmental approach to others, which contributes to the building of positive, trusting relationships that are central to therapy. I also believe each person, and their difficulties, deserves a psychological approach tailored to their own, personal experience and preferences.

So I take an eclectic approach to therapy, drawing on multiple psychological theories - cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), compassion-focused therapy (CFT), cognitive analytic therapy (CAT), dialectic-behavioural therapy (DBT), and psychodynamic/relational approaches - to build an individualised and holistic approach, empowering each individual to embark on recovery and achieve their therapeutic goals.

I also believe joy, fun and laughter to be fantastic remedies for distress, encouraging those I work with to inject this back into their lives! As a practising Buddhist, I also enjoys drawing on relaxation, meditation, imagery and mindfulness techniques in therapy, where appropriate.
 
Outside of psychological work, I have experience working as a Buddhist Chaplain in prison settings, leading study groups and meditation sessions with prisoners, creating safe and calm spaces for the exploration of personal values and spirituality. In my spare time, I like to meditate, keep fit, spend time with friends and bake them vegan delights.