Dr Nicola Dawson
Chartered Counselling Psychologist
Offering compassionate, insight-led therapy tailored to your individual needs
I am an HCPC Registered Psychologist with over 13 years clinical experience working with a broad range of psychological, emotional and physical difficulties, most notably anxiety, chronic stress, burnout, low mood and trauma, both in the NHS and private practice. I am happy to work both face-to-face and online with clients.
My Areas of Specialty
Adult & teenage mental health, anxiety, chronic stress, burnout, low mood and trauma.
My NHS experience also allowed me to develop specialist expertise working with complex and chronic health conditions, such as: ME, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, IBS, migraines. Additionally, I have experience working with life-stage and life-changing conditions such as the menopause, cancer and HIV.
I am registered with the Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC) and hold Associate Fellowship and Chartership with the British Psychological Society (BPS). Both of these bodies ensure the highest levels of clinical training and practice are maintained in the UK.
I offer face-to-face or online sessions on a short- to medium-term basis for adults and teenagers. I accept most insurance and self-funded patients. I also offer supervision to trainee Counselling Psychologists and mentoring to those pursuing a career in Psychology.
What therapeutic skills do I adopt?
As a Counselling Psychologist, rather than adopting a one-approach-fits-all, I am trained in a number of evidence-based approaches.I prefer to develop a more personalised therapeutic approach, one which is individually tailored to you and your needs.
This being said, cognitive therapeutic approaches lie at the heart of my practice. The following models inform my practice: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprogramming), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Mindfulness and Autogenic Training. I have continued to undertake on-going post-doctoral training in all of these approaches.
My aim is to help you build resilience and confidence to be able to move forward with your life, in the knowledge you have the insight and skills to thrive.
Will my approach feel right for you?
At the heart of all good therapy lies the quality of the therapeutic relationship, regardless of approach adopted. I like my sessions to feel natural and organic. We will work together in a way that feels manageable, helpful and life-changing.
Central to my practice is a strong sense of compassion and empathy, both of which help you to feel heard, safe and understood.
Over the course of your therapeutic journey with me, I naturally weave a relational, insight-led approach which helps you to begin to make sense of your struggles, we will explore:
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Why you have been struggling
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How to make positive changes
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How to be more aware of the triggers and factors that maintain the issues you are struggling with
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How to recognise and resist unhelpful behavioural or relationship patterns
I will help you to develop a series of practical tools and skills allowing you to become more adaptable and confident in the knowledge you can cope, grow and build greater resilience to face life’s challenges.
My wider experience
My work is predicated on the value and benefit of research and research-based clinical practice. I aim to offer the highest level of clinical excellence, one which is grounded in evidence-based theory. I continually update my practice according to the latest evidence base and guidance provided by the NICE guidelines for best practice.
Alongside my clinical work, I also offer my services as a Consultant Research Psychologist. I’ve worked on many research projects in the private and public sector, from projects for the UK Government’s Department of Health and Social Care, Department for Education and The Foreign and Commonwealth Office. I was also the qualitative research lead on an award-winning piece of media research for Cog Research. My Doctoral research explored burnout amongst nurses working in the NHS.
I am also a skilled group therapist having developed a number of therapeutic groups within the NHS, community and private sector. These include groups to support those suffering from chronic fatigue and pain, groups to help build resilience to burnout and stress management programs for employees. I’ve also developed groups which offer support to the families and carers of loved ones suffering from complex health conditions including eating disorders and chronic fatigue carer groups.
Get In Touch
Whether you have questions or are ready to book an appointment, please get in touch via email to schedule a call to chat.