Things that lead people to therapy vary widely and no two stories are ever the same.  Some may find themselves grappling with the aftermath of a specific life event, such as the loss of a loved one, a traumatic experience, or a significant life transition. Others may embark on a therapeutic journey due to persistent feelings of dissatisfaction, unhappiness, or a sense of being stuck. Moreover, individuals may seek therapy to address existential or spiritual questions, exploring the deeper facets of their identity, purpose, and beliefs.

About me and therapy

I am a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered clinical psychologist with over a decade of experience in mental health.  Currently, I work in an NHS community mental health service for adults and run a private practice.  I have worked with individuals dealing with:

• Anxiety, low mood and fluctuating moods
• Anger difficulties
• Unwanted thoughts
• Low self-esteem
• Interpersonal difficulties
• Post-traumatic stress disorder as well as complex trauma
• Bereavement and loss
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Substance dependency
• Psychosis

I believe that we all need a private space sometimes, a space that feels safe, unbiased and non-judgmental, a space we can rely on remaining confidential, so that we can talk freely about our experiences.  In your role as a priest, you may often be the one selflessly providing this space to others.  I believe it is of utmost importance in your demanding line of work, that you also have access to such a space to support you.  I offer both therapy and pastoral accompaniment for this purpose.

Therapy and pastoral accompaniment

In therapy, I prioritise building trust and rapport, allowing clients to feel in control of what they share and the pace of our sessions. During therapy we will collaboratively seek to understand any experiences or difficulties that may be bothering you.  Some clients seek a sounding board, while others aim to understand, change, or develop strategies for managing their experiences and relationships to themselves or others. We will discuss your individual goals and aims for therapy and adapt our sessions accordingly, ensuring a tailored approach aligned with your needs and wishes.

During pastoral accompaniment sessions, we can focus on self-care, professional development, managing the emotional aspects of your role and anything else that you think may be helpful.  This collaborative process is aimed to support you to maintain balance, strengthen your spiritual guidance, and enrich your experience of being a priest.

Next steps

I offer a remote and complimentary 15-minute exploratory session, as I believe that the fit between client and therapist is often as important as the type of therapy itself.  This allows us to establish whether we might be a good fit, with no pressure to commit.

I live within the Northamptonshire diocese; however, I offer in person and remote sessions and am therefore able to offer my services nationally.

If you are interested in therapy or accompaniment sessions, or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Warmest regards,

Stephanie

Qualifications

Undergraduate degree

Human psychology (BSc) 2005 – 2008

Post-graduate degree

Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) 2018 – 2021

Foundation level in Systemic therapy 2019 – 2021

EMDR therapy (currently undertaking training) 2023 – 2024

Therapeutic approaches I work within

I work eclectically, and draw on elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion Focussed Therapy), Schema Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) and Psychoanalytical and systemic approaches.