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Difficulties That I Work With Include:

  • Agoraphobia
  • Anxiety
  • Chronic Pain
  • Depression
  • Eating Disorders
  • Health Anxiety
  • Low Self-Esteem
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Panic
  • Phobias
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
  • Relationship Difficulties
  • Social Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Workplace Stress 

Dr. Kerrie Poulson
BSc (Hons), DClinPsych, CPsychol

 


 

 

Please call 07544 601942
or email kerrie@clinicalpsych.co.uk
 
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Mental Health

Just as we can all experience difficulties with our physical health through no fault of our own, so can we all experience difficulties with our mental health through no fault of our own. Yet a lot of people suffering from mental health difficulties often blame themselves for being ‘weak’ or ‘silly’. Unfortunately, these kinds of thoughts can lead the person, who is already suffering, to feel even worse and become even less likely to seek help.  

This kind of scenario is a good example of how mental health difficulties can be maintained, as the way that we think impacts on the way that we feel and on the way that we behave, and it is this interaction that often keeps the difficulties alive. For example, “I think I’m weak, therefore I feel ashamed, therefore I won’t tell anyone”. The more we repeat these thoughts, the more we believe them, the worse we feel and the less we do about it.  

Admitting that there is a problem is the first and often most difficult step, however, by slightly altering our thoughts from the critical and accusatory “I’m weak” to the more accepting “I’m actually suffering with depression” (for example) can often allow us to dampen our sense of shame and increase our sense of compassion and relief. This acceptance of the situation and relief from blame can then help us to consider altering our behaviour, from keeping quiet and doing nothing, to actively seeking advice, perhaps by researching the difficulty, speaking to someone close to us or by visiting a professional. 

The areas of mental health that I work with include: Agoraphobia, Anxiety, Chronic Pain, Depression, Eating Disorders, Health Anxiety, Low Self-Esteem, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic, Phobias, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Relationship Difficulties, Social Anxiety, Stress and Workplace Stress. 

I currently do not work with individuals suffering with personality disorders, psychotic disorders and substance-related disorders, or with individuals presenting with a high level of risk such as those who are actively suicidal. If you feel you might be suffering with these kinds of difficulties please contact your GP in the first instance and they will be able to advise you further. If you feel you need urgent attention as you are in a crisis situation please call 999 for the Emergency Services. You could also call 08457 909090 at anytime to speak to a trained Samaritan.