Therapies

There are hundreds of different approaches to psychological therapy. At the clinic, we only offer approaches that have a good evidence-base for treating emotional difficulties. Different approaches to therapy target issues in different ways. The most important thing is that you have the right therapy for you.

Different therapeutic approaches such as Schema, ACT, EMDR, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Dialectical Behaviour Therapy are often best suited to particular issues or personal preferences. At The Chelsea Psychology Clinic, we start with an assessment to understand your goals, challenges and history. From there, we recommend a therapy or combination of therapies tailored to your needs, ensuring you receive the most beneficial support.

During the triaging process, we will book your initial assessment with a therapist who we believe will be a good fit for your difficulties. However, sometimes through the course of the initial assessment it becomes apparent that you would be better suited to a different therapeutic approach. If this is the case for you, you will be allocated a different therapist who is an expert in this field.

There are also some situations in which we will allocate you a therapist who will definitely not be offering you therapy in an ongoing way. This is usually because we believe that your difficulties might be more complex and we therefore don’t want to make a judgement based on a phone call but rather through the assessment process.

Your first session typically focuses on getting to know you – your background, current concerns and what you’d like to achieve. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about the therapy process and discuss any worries. This session also helps your therapist outline a potential treatment plan. It’s natural to feel nervous, but our clinicians strive to create a comfortable, non-judgmental space where you can openly share your experiences.

Therapy length varies depending on factors like the specific issue, your responsiveness to therapy and your personal goals. Some clients experience relief in a short series of sessions (around six months), especially if the concern is focused and well-defined. Others may require medium-to-long-term therapy, ranging from several months to a year or more. Your therapist will collaborate with you to set realistic goals and review progress regularly.

Therapy is more than simply talking about your problems. Our evidence-based treatments involve learning practical coping strategies, examining unhelpful thoughts or behaviours and they help you to develop capacity to observe yourself, the way you are in the world and your responses to challenges. Over time, many clients report significant improvements in mood, relationships and overall resilience. Consistency and openness to trying new techniques play a big part in successful outcome and how you develop an understanding of yourself.

It’s completely normal to feel hesitant, especially if you’ve never had therapy before or if you’re dealing with sensitive topics. Our therapists are trained to guide conversations at a pace that feels safe and supportive for you. You’re in control of how much you choose to share, and the therapeutic relationship is built on trust, respect and confidentiality.

Absolutely. Many clients benefit from a combined approach, using therapy to develop coping strategies and medication to help stabilise symptoms. Our clinic houses both psychologists and psychiatrists, so if it’s appropriate for your situation, we can arrange a referral or consultation to discuss medication options alongside therapeutic interventions.

Yes. Not all therapy experiences are the same; different approaches may resonate with you more effectively. Sometimes you might need a different therapy for your particular challenges. We encourage you to discuss previous therapy experiences so we can adjust the plan to better fit your needs, as we can help you find the best clinical match. Our clinicians are skilled in helping you move along the journey towards getting the most out of therapy.

Yes. While many therapies focus on individual work, there are specific approaches for couples, families and children. Our clinicians have diverse training and can offer specialised services, such as couples therapy for relationship issues or child/adolescent therapy for younger clients. If you’re unsure which is best, an initial consultation can guide you on the right option.