FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPY
Answered by Emely Ostberg, Psychologist (BPsS) and Accred. Psychotherapist (BABCP), working out of her clinic on Bell Yard, off Fleet Street, London
Where are you located?
The Bell Yard Psychology clinic is located just off Fleet street in central London, next to the Royal Courts of Justices. It is easily accessibly from Chancery Lane, Holborn and Temple (7-10 minute walk).
Why are you good at offering this service?
Emely: I may be humble but I have no problem saying that I am good at what I do. When it comes to therapy I know my stuff. I have spent many years studying the topic and it has remained a passion of mine for the past 15 years. I have studied not less than three different psycho-therapeutic approaches at a post-graduate level. That means that in addition to my general training in Psychology I have studied a further 4 years in grad-school learning about how to treat people with the use of psychological therapy. I am fully qualified to use Cognitive behavioural therapy, Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy and Compassion-Focused Psychotherapy and every day I get to see how useful it is to be able to draw on knowledge from different schools and tailor the treatment to the needs of the individual.
Are you an expert of some kind? If so, what makes you one?
Emely: Yes, I am a specialist in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. I am a specialist because in addition to my general training in psychology I also completed an extremely rigorous post-graduate training in the psychological therapy for mood and anxiety disorders. This was closely supervised by experts in the field for a certain number of hours as set out by our ethical guidelines, and have completed well over 10 000 clinical hours of psychological therapy and successfully treated hundreds of individuals. I am a proud accredited member of a very stringent and well regarded society governing psychotherapists in Britain – British Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapies.
How long have you been offering this service?
Emely: The Bell Yard Psychology Clinic was re-branded from a clinic in my own name in order for me to take on more staff. I have been in the field of psychology the past 15 years, and been working as a specialist since 2012.
What are some typical results clients will get? Title
Emely: We base results on psychometric measures. This means that we use questionnaires that have been proven to measure the severity of mood and anxiety disorders. Throughout the treatment we track your progress so we can adapt the treatment as necessary with the help of these. In terms of what this means in practice is that the symptoms you were presenting with at the beginning of treatment should, – at best- no longer be present , or at least, be – less severe – at the end of your course of treatment. I believe the best way to get an understanding of the results that therapy can bring is to have a look at the testimonials.
Will it get worse before it gets better?
Emely: Occasionally this is the case. It is a little bit like when you go to the Dr with a broken arm, on the way over you have probably covered it and maybe put a protective hand over it with your functioning arm. When you get to the Dr you will have to show the wound so the dr can assess it, and to look at it may make it more real. However, the pace of what you wish to speak about is within your control and no one will force you to look at wounds you are not ready to process.
Do you have a passion for offering this service?
Emely: Yes. YES! I am passionate about psychological treatments. I believe in it, and I am not one of those therapists who only dish it out. When I’ve had stuff going on in my personal life I also leaned in on the psychological therapy world and sought out professional support for myself. Today I am an engaged member of the psychological therapy community and regularly supervise, teach and train other therapists of the field. To train others requires you to be inspirational, and motivational – this would not be so without passion for the service of therapy.
Why do you think it works?
Emely: I believe therapy works mainly due to three reasons
- The research field in psychology and psychological therapy produces research comparing and contrasting treatment modalities, specific interventions, whole treatment models for specific diagnosis etc – I am keeping up to date with all advancements in the field through reading the latest research, attending conferences and supervision and being in peer groups with the leading researchers in the field. Through this I learn what works, and what does not work. Proven through firm, thoroughly conducted research.
- I see it. Every day.
- I know it personally.
Exactly how does it work?
Emely: I wish I could provide you with a simple, straight forward answer to your question. If there was such I would probably not need to work! I can however share with you that one of the predictive factors of what makes a therapy effective is the strength and quality of the therapeutic relationship. If there is a strong, healthy, well developed relationship between you and the therapist this will allow for a solid foundation to stand on.
How long will it take?
Emely: It varies a lot dependent on what you are wishing to overcome, what your goals are. I would suggest going for an initial assessment and then I’ll be able to give you a response that is based on your specific presentation.
What are some typical outcomes?
Emely: A sense of freedom? More confidence? Less held back by the problem wishing to overcome. Please do read the testimonials – those will tell you in much better terms than I will.
