Issues Treated
We work with a wide range of problems. We have extensive expertise in treating and helping people with both complex psychological distress, as well as everyday concerns that impact on daily life and mood. The sorts of problems we can help with are detailed below. This is not meant to be a complete list; do contact us outlining your concerns to see if we are able to help. We can arrange for you to see a clinician with the appropriate expertise for your difficulties.
Adjustment Difficulties (e.g. separation, divorce, life stage change, physical health conditions)
Adjustment difficulties arise when a person has great difficulty coping with, or adjusting to, a particular source of stress, such as a major life change, loss, or event. Our service offers support to cope with a life adjustment, especially if you may be experiencing a reaction more intensely than would be normally expected. We will help you to move forward with your life, and to experience the fulfilment and happiness that may have been lost as result of the adjustment.
More information about adjustment difficulties can be found here.
Anger
Difficulties with anger can range from irritability and hostility to aggressive outbursts. This can be damaging to relationships, and also be associated with destructive behaviour. Our service can help you understand why you might be feeling anger, and to learn more adaptive ways of expressing your feelings.
More information about anger can be found here.
Anxiety
Anxiety is an experience of worry and fear. It is often accompanied by physical symptoms of anxiety (e.g. palpitations shakiness, dry mouth). While anxiety is a normal to certain situations, for some people it can be more persistent and debilitating. Our service offers the opportunity to look at the underlying factors contributing to your experience of anxiety, and discussing practical strategies for dealing with the problems you are facing.
More information about anxiety can be found here.
Bereavement & Loss
There can be a complex and overwhelming reaction to the death of someone close to you, and the loss of an important relationship. Grieving can be associated with a range of reactions including anger, anxiety, depression, hopelessness and despair. It can affect sleep, appetite and motivation. We offer interventions designed to help you heal following the loss of a loved one by understanding with you the meaning and impact of the bereavement.
More information on bereavement and loss can be found here.
Body Image Concerns including Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Body image concerns are where a person is distressed about shortcomings or imperfections in their appearance, which may not be noticeable to others. This can impact on mood, relationships and self-confidence. Our service helps to make these difficulties less preoccupying. We work in a collaborative way towards you feeling better about your body image, and helping you to attain greater clarity and perspective on the situation.
More information about BDD can be found here.
Complex Trauma/Traumatic Childhood Events
Complex trauma refers to prolonged and chronic adverse experiences, often in childhood. This may mean that basic emotional needs were not met, for various reasons. Our expert clinicians work with you to understand painful past experiences, and to help avoid this causing you present and future unhappiness. We can help address feelings of abandonment, emptiness, mistrust, failure, defectiveness, worthlessness and vulnerability, so that you can move forward with your life, and experience fulfilment in your present and future relationships.
More information about Complex Trauma can be found here.
Depression
Depression impacts people in different ways. Some of the problems associated with depression include low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, hopelessness, poor motivation and concentration, disturbed sleep or appetite and low energy. Depressed mood may be a reaction to a particular event or stressor, or it may feel that there is no particular trigger. Our approach to treating your depression will include an approach tailored to your particular circumstances, and based on current clinical evidence.
More information on depression can be found here.
Eating Problems
Eating problems may include eating too much or binging at times, purging, restricting food intake, or being very restricted about what foods can be eaten. These difficulties with food may be related to managing intense emotions or body image concerns. We work to help you understand the underlying reasons that you may be experiencing problems in your relationship to food, and help you to take control of this problem.
More information on Eating Problems can be found here.
Employment Issues
Workplaces can be associated with high levels of stress, due to interpersonal difficulties, the nature of the job, work environment, resources or a combination of these factors. We will work with you to help you effectively manage the build up of work-related pressures, and to navigate and negotiate work issues. We will also work with you to ameliorate existing difficulties such as low mood and anxiety, which may be exacerbated by working conditions.
More information on Work and Stress can be found here.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD can be associated with ruminative or catastrophic thinking that is experienced as distressing or overwhelming. The trigger for GAD can be unclear, and this uncertainty about can lead to further anxiety. We will work with you to manage anxious feelings, and develop effective ways of coping with the worry that accompanies this.
More information on GAD can be found here.
Health Anxiety
Health anxiety is a persistent experience of dread and fear that you may have a serious physical health problem. It can be associated with frequent checking, reassurance seeking, and medical tests, as well as a heightened awareness of odd sensations in the body. We will work with you to develop a tailored treatment plan that will help you gain control over preoccupying health anxieties, allowing you to enjoy fulfilment in your relationships and other areas of your life.
More information on Health Anxiety can be found here.
Interpersonal Difficulties
Interpersonal difficulties relates to difficulties in forming and retaining relationships with others, including romantic, work-related, social and family relationships. We will work with you to help you to resolve repeated patterns of difficulties, and to develop more helpful ways of thinking and behaving in the context of relationships.
Low Self-Esteem and Self-Criticism
Low self-esteem and self-criticism affects the way that we view ourselves, our value and our worth. We will work with you to feel better about yourself, to be more assertive, and to be able to maintain healthy boundaries and develop intimacy and trust with others.
More information on Low Self-Esteem and Self-Criticism can be found here.
Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is the need to check things repeatedly, do certain routines repeatedly, or have certain thoughts repeatedly. We will work with you in a individualised way, incorporating evidence-based interventions, to help you to control these impulses, improve your psychological flexibility and better enjoy your daily life.
More information on OCD can be found here.
Panic Attacks
A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense anxiety, often with physical symptoms such as palpitations and shortness of breath. We will help you manage these symptoms. In addition, we will address associated catastrophic thoughts that may be causing distress. Our work will also serve to prevent future panic attacks developing.
More information on Panic Attacks can be found here.
Perfectionism
Perfectionism relates to striving for impossibly high expectations. We will help you to put a stop to cycles of harsh self-criticism, and manage better fears about judgement from others. We will work in a collaborative way that allows you to develop healthier ways of relating yourself and others.
More information on Perfectionism can be found here.
Phobias (e.g. agoraphobia, emetophobia, claustrophobia)
A phobia is an overwhelming fear of an object, place, situation, feeling or animal. It is more debilitating than a typical feared situation. We will help you to overcome this difficulty, so that you no longer feel that you need to avoid certain places and situations, so that the feared issue can be faced and tolerated, and you can get on with enjoying your life without this distress.
More information on Phobias can be found here.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) including flashbacks and nightmares
PTSD can occur following a traumatic event that continues to cause distress months and years after the event. We will help to ameliorate the distressing symptoms that can accompany PTSD, including dissociation, nightmares and flashbacks. We can help put an end to the feeling of reliving the traumatic experience. This can also help improve your relationships by lessening any feelings of irritability, guilt, and anxiety.
More information on PTSD can be found here.
Pre-natal and Post-natal Difficulties
Having a baby can be an exciting time, but many women also experience difficulties related to having a baby. We provide a safe and secure space to new and expectant mothers to understand and resolve the stress, anxiety, depression, guilt, and relationship problems, which can occur at this time. We also work with women to overcome the affects of birth trauma related to the circumstances of their delivery and aftercare.
More information on Pre-natal and Post-natal Difficulties can be found here.
Procrastination and Avoidance
Procrastination and avoidance can be a chronic pattern of putting off dealing with situations and tasks. We work with people to overcome this barrier. Our aim is to find a way to prevent procrastination and avoidance damaging relationships, work and self-esteem. In particular, we will work to understand why and how this pattern may have developed, and to identify ways of managing this more effectively.
More information on Procrastination and Avoidance can be found here.
Psychosexual Difficulties
Sexual problems can affect both genders. We provide comprehensive assessment and treatment for a range of common psychosexual difficulties include premature/ delayed ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, vaginismus (painful intercourse), and loss of sexual desire, amongst other difficulties. Our interventions are also designed to help improve relationships, pleasure, and healthy sexual functioning.
More information on Psychosexual Difficulties can be found here.
Relationship Problems
Relationship difficulties can be in the context of one or both partners having their own mental health difficulties, or it can be a consequence of the dynamic between two people. We provide treatment that can help to improve trust, intimacy, and connectedness and shared understanding in a relationship. We are also expert in helping couples resolve ruptures in their relationship. This work is provided in both individual sessions, and to couples, depending on the circumstances. We are happy to discuss with you which approach might be most suited to your particular relationship difficulty.
More information on Relationship Problems can be found here.
Sleep Difficulties
It is common to experience problems getting to sleep or staying asleep (insomnia), or need for excessive sleep (hypersomnia). We offer treatment for people where such sleep problems persist. We can work with you to improve sleep, and consequently help improve mood, concentration, and memory. There are also added benefit to your physical health, including improved immunity and energy.
More information on Sleep Difficulties can be found here.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is the fear of social situations that involve interactions with others. We can help you to effectively manage worries about being negatively judged or criticised by others. WE will also work with you to improve and manage any associated symptoms of intense anxiety, so that you no longer feel the need to avoid social interactions, and feel better able to achieve your potential.
Stress-Related Problems (including work and financial stress)
Stress is a common experience, and usually it can help focus our attention on issues that need addressing. Our service can help where stress has become chronic, preoccupying and is impacting on well being. We can provide interventions to hep people feel more in control in a stressful situation, to mange the expectations of others, and to allow for self-care in the midst of stress.
More information on Stress-Related Problems can be found here.
The Lighthouse Psychology Practice