The Lancashire Psychology Clinic at
The Chorley Clinic
Dr Amy Ashton, Dr Amy Fisher, Dr Catherine Houseman and Dr Anna Norris
The Clinical Psychologists at the Chorley Clinic work with adolescents and adults, with individuals, couples and families with a range of emotional, psychological and relationship difficulties. All the Clinical Psychologists also work for the NHS.
This page aims to provide some information about the services available and hopefully answers any questions you may have.
What do Clinical Psychologists do?
Clinical Psychologists work collaboratively with individuals or groups (e.g. couples and families) to enable them to understand the problems they are experiencing, reduce psychological distress and promote and enhance psychological wellbeing. They do this through the application of psychological research and theory. Clinical Psychologists use therapies that are sometimes referred to as talking therapies.
Therapy is time-limited, with the number of sessions varying, depending upon the individual (usually between 6 and 20 sessions). Clinical psychologists do not prescribe medications and generally do not give diagnoses.
Who do Clinical Psychologists work with?
Clinical Psychologists help a wide range of people of all ages, with all sorts of problems. They are trained to work with children, families, adults, older adults, and people with learning disabilities. They also often receive training to work with staff members or teams, as well as organisations. However, most Clinical Psychologists specialise after their training to work with a particular age group or type of difficulty.
The Clinical Psychologists at the Chorley Clinic work with adolescents and adults. They work one-to-one with individuals and sometimes, where a relationship is the difficulty, with couples.
The issues they work with include:
- anxiety/ panic attacks
- stress
- phobias
- obsessions and/or compulsions (OCD)
- post-traumatic stress reactions
- adult recovery from childhood trauma
- low mood and depression
- bereavement and adjustment to loss
- relationship issues
- low self-esteem and confidence
- sleeping problems
- eating problems
- addictive behaviours
- sexual problems
- problems relating to chronic health conditions
- management of long term pain
- voice hearing
How is a Clinical Psychologist different to other ‘helping professionals’?
The training is different. Typically it involves the completion of an undergraduate three-year degree in Psychology, a year or more working in the Psychology field, and a further three-year Clinical Psychology doctoral post-graduate degree. This second degree involves attending academic teaching, completing research, and working in the NHS with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course, with presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity. Clinical psychologists must then apply for registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC) and can apply to become chartered by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
The other difference is that Clinical Psychologists develop knowledge about different psychological theories and receive training in the theory and practice of multiple therapeutic approaches, including:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Cognitive-Analytic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
- Acceptance based approaches
They draw upon this wide range of knowledge and skills to best suit the needs of each client.
How much does it cost?
Please contact the Clinical Psychologists to discuss fees. If you have private health insurance your fees may be covered by your insurer.
How are Clinical Psychologists regulated?
In order to use the title ‘Clinical Psychologist’ (or ‘practitioner psychologist’), the person must be registered with the Health Professions Council (the HPC).
You can check if a Clinical Psychologist is registered by searching the HPC website >>> using their registration number or their name.
The HPC register aims to ensure that health professionals meet their standards for training, professional skills and behaviour.
Some Clinical Psychologists are also chartered with the British Psychological Society (BPS). This means that the BPS has agreed that the person applying is a psychologist of the “highest standard of psychological knowledge
and expertise”. The psychologist must provide evidence of their continuing professional development and adhere to the BPS’s code of ethics and conduct (for example, having appropriate insurance for private work, engaging in regular supervision).
To check if a Clinical Psychologist is chartered with the BPS see the BPS Website >>> and use the ‘Find a Psychologist’ tool.
What should I expect in a first appointment?
Before beginning therapy you would be seen for an initial assessment. The aim of this assessment is to identify the difficulties you are experiencing and factors associated with the development and maintenance of these difficulties and to establish whether psychological therapy is appropriate for you at this time. You will also be provided with some information about the role of a Clinical Psychologist and the nature of psychological therapy.
Furthermore, terms and conditions of therapy will be discussed, including issues related to confidentiality and cancellation policies.
Contact Us
If you are unsure as to whether psychological therapy can help you, or you wish to discuss availability (a range of appointment times are available, including evening appointments) or fees, please contact us by;
Telephone: 01257 232 000 (The Chorley Clinic; you can leave a message and one of the Clinical Psychologists will call you back)
| 
