Working with Counselling Psychology Trainees
There is a lot of need for psychological support at the moment and, with long waiting lists, people are finding it hard to access affordable therapy. This is the result of a lot of people seeking support and a lack of qualified professionals, especially those who specialise in working with eating disorders.
At the London Centre we are keen to try and help address this issue, and one way of doing this is by offering placements to trainee counselling psychologists. Trainee psychologists are people who already have a psychology degree, experience of working with people with mental health needs, and who are now completing a counselling psychology doctorate course. These three- to four-year courses offer intensive teaching and training, including placements which allow trainee psychologists to really develop their skills under specialist supervision. Offering trainee placements allows us to provide low-cost treatment whilst also training the next generation of eating disorder specialist psychologists.
People can be a little unsure about working with a trainee, so we wanted to share some different perspectives of working with a trainee and to introduce you to our newest trainees, Dan, Elliott and Menna.
Our trainees’ perspective
There are many benefits to having a trainee as a therapist. As a trainee I have regular supervision with an experienced clinician at the London Centre. This means clients indirectly receive input from a qualified therapist through the trainee at a reduced financial rate. Therapy is more affordable whilst clients still benefit from the wealth and knowledge of experience given by a practising eating disorder specialist.
As a trainee reading and studying is a part of life! Therefore, trainees are at the forefront of emerging literature and are offered professional development and training opportunities through the university. This also extends to The London Centre, which offers trainees both in house and external training. Choosing a trainee to be your therapist means accessing someone who has a current grasp on a number of different ways of working, therapeutic techniques and eating disorder research.
Trainees are required to attend personal therapy and I am currently experiencing what it is like to be a client myself. This is an invaluable process with which to gain insight into how clients perceive their interactions with us. It’s also a great tool where a trainee can be reflective about their development as a clinician.
Choosing a trainee would mean your therapist is conscientious and will regularly update, plan and adapt their therapy to suit you.
A client’s perspective
I came to the London Centre after years of struggling with bulimia. I had tried medication and psychiatry more than once before and my mental health went nothing but downhill. In just 9 months, with weekly check-ins, a tailored week by week plan, and guidance from a trainee, I did what I thought was impossible. I got my life back, I got my health back, and I feel like I have the tools and mechanisms to lead a beautifully healthy life from here on. I could not recommend them enough!
Welcome to our new trainees!
If you are interested in seeing a trainee, we’d like to introduce you to our newest trainees. They have already completed their eating disorder training, and are currently available for appointments.
Dan Moore
I am currently in my final year as a Trainee Counselling Psychologist at London Metropolitan University. I have worked in mental health for 9 years, spending the majority of this time in secure inpatient settings. I also have experience of working integratively with trauma, PTSD, OCD and depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, and many other presentations. Previously to mental health I have had several jobs which I feel gives me further insight into the stressor’s life can throw at us.
Irrespective of presentation, I feel the therapeutic relationship can, in itself be, an intervention. It is easy to look at symptoms of illness and forget the person trying to manage them. I find working with someone on their level, in a way that works for them an important feature of my professional practice.
When not at work I enjoy buzzing around on my motorbike (his name is Pepe) and wild camping on Dartmoor National Park.
Read more here.
Menna Rose
I am currently training as a Counselling Psychologist at City, University of London. As a trainee psychologist I have been able to gain a wide range of experience over the last 3 years, working in both NHS and private settings, with a number of different presentations including eating disorders, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trauma and chronic pain.
These different experiences now enable me to draw upon a variety of skills and approaches during therapy, which importantly helps me to meet the individual needs of my clients. I also prioritise approaching treatment in an empathic and non-judgmental way and I feel passionate about normalising the therapeutic process. In addition, I value building a strong and genuine therapeutic relationship with my clients, so that therapy can feel safe and collaborative.
Read more here.
Elliott Gibbs
I'm currently in the second academic year of my doctoral studies and have so far had the privilege to work with clients within an IAPT service in Wandsworth and a low-cost service in Tooting.
It's been somewhat of a whirlwind since my first placement where it can feel as though you're dropped in at the deep end and I can distinctly recall the anxiety before my first client that came along with that!
Being a "lockdown trainee" by starting my studies in 2020, I've loved and loathed the challenges that this has posed. Although, given the unpredictable nature of what clients might bring to sessions, I'm sure these experiences will help me to be as comfortable with the uncomfortable as I can comfortably be!
Read more here.
If you are interested in finding out more please do contact us via email, info@thelondoncentre.co.uk, or via our contact form. If you wish to book an appointment, please click here.