WHO AM I

Hi, my name is Steve, and I am a Doctor of Clinical Psychology.  I have over 20 years’ experience working in mental health settings, including the NHS and independent sector organisations.  I have a First Class (Honours) degree in Psychology, a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Analytic Therapy, as well as numerous other trainings and qualifications that I have undertaken over the years.  But, I’m also a guy who is knocking on the door of 50 and understands the many challenges that most men face.

Outside of work, I like the outdoors…a lot! Travel, nature and adventure are important personal values and I try to ensure I am aligned with them as much as possible. Cycling and walking, and health and fitness are also important to me, alongside other more serene activities. I practice Qigong and am a Transcendental Meditation Practitioner (not a teacher – this is very much for personal benefits!).

When I was young, I never dreamed I would be a psychologist. It just wasn’t on my personal radar or ever something I thought I would be capable of. I was never very academic at school and no one in my family had ever been to university. Life’s twists and turns took me in several directions until I found my path.

Almost all research shows that the ‘therapeutic’ relationship accounts for a significant proportion of the outcome of any therapeutic work. Same goes with coaching – it’s vitally important that you find a coach who is a good ‘fit’ for you. My training and experience have reinforced my natural curiosity and compassion. I strongly believe our early relationships and experiences become part of our internal template (or map) for how we operate in the world. I also strongly believe in everyone’s innate potential, especially when we remove internal barriers and develop new skills that our society (and the systems within it) has not nurtured. Let’s not forget, we also all have a tricky brain, with hundreds of thousands of years of evolution that have gone into it! My approach is (I hope!) down-to-earth, pragmatic, collaborative, educational and active (in the sense of agreeing committed actions between sessions). In my experience of coaching, the work between sessions is where ‘the rubber hits the road’ and most progress is made. But, this work needs to be tailored, meaningful, and consistent with our values and clear goals.

My coaching and therapy is also strongly rooted in an evidence-base but my style is aimed at being male-friendly.  You will of course be treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality but you will also be seen as an active participant.  We will work together to firstly reach a shared understanding (formulation) of your main areas of concern and then decide together on the best way forward, depending on your specific goals and desired outcomes.

I draw on a range of evidence-based models and principles to support you in making the changes you want to make, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), and Positive Psychology.  I am trained and very experienced in these, and other, approaches.