A Clinical Psychologist is a highly trained mental health professional who holds a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. They work with a wide range of psychological difficulties, offering assessment and therapy using evidence-based approaches.

Additionally, Clinical Psychologists are also trained in research, and many remain research-active. This helps ensure their work is informed by current thinking, while also allowing space to recognise the complexity of individual experience.

Their role involves integrating different approaches in a thoughtful and flexible way, always tailored to the person they are working with. The aim is not only to reduce distress, but to develop a deeper understanding and support meaningful, lasting change.

I work with adults, children aged 8 and above, young people, parents and families. I also offer adult autism assessments for adults without intellectual disability.

I specialise in stammering (stuttering) and hoarding disorder. I also support people with psychological trauma, OCD, anxiety, depression, self-esteem difficulties, anger, stress and burn-out, behavioural difficulties, parenting issues and relational difficulties.

I offer a safe, non-judgemental and collaborative space where we can make sense of your difficulties together. We look at how these may have developed, what patterns may be maintaining them, and what may help you move towards meaningful and lasting change.

I take an integrated approach and draw on CBT, ACT, compassion-focused therapy, DBT-informed approaches, mindfulness-based approaches, trauma-informed work, relational therapy and systemic ideas.

Yes. Parent consultations provide a space to think together about your child’s needs, possible approaches and what support may be most helpful. I also offer EHCP support to parents.

Psychological therapy may help you understand what psychological factors may be contributing to or maintaining the stammering behaviour for you, including how anxiety, fear or past experiences may shape your relationship with speaking. We may explore patterns such as “easy” and “difficult” words and the situations that feel more challenging.

Rather than focusing on “fixing” your speech, we will look at what sits underneath the behaviour. This can help reduce distress, ease internal pressure, and support you in developing a more compassionate relationship with speaking and with yourself, alongside building confidence over time.

Because stammering is a developmental condition, this is not a quick-fix approach. The work is gradual and consistent, allowing us to understand and begin to dismantle more deeply embedded patterns over time.

No. My work is psychologically based rather than speech based. Rather than trying to fix speech itself, we explore the experiences, emotional responses and patterns that shape your relationship with speaking.

Yes. Therapy can help you understand the role of anxiety, fear, shame and past experiences in your stammering, and support you to develop a different relationship with speaking.

Yes. Psychological work with me can sit alongside and complement speech therapy if you are finding that helpful.

Psychological therapy can help you explore emotional attachment to possessions, the meaning items hold for you, difficulties with decision-making or letting go, and the patterns that may be maintaining the behaviour.

My work does not focus only on decluttering. Instead, we explore the emotional, psychological and relational factors linked to hoarding, with the aim of supporting meaningful and sustainable long-term change.

For some people, hoarding can be linked to past experiences, including trauma or loss, as well as emotional attachment, safety, identity or control. Therapy can help us understand how these factors may be relevant in your experience.

Yes. I offer family consultations and support for relatives who are affected by a loved one’s hoarding difficulties.

The full assessment package is offered at a fixed fee of £1,400. Payment can be split if helpful.

The assessment includes questionnaires, developmental history, review of relevant background reports, a 3–4 hour online assessment appointment, a discussion of your anonymised case in supervision, a diagnostic report and letter, and a 1-hour feedback session.

Yes. To ensure the assessment is clinically robust, input from an informant is needed. Ideally this is someone who knew you in childhood, such as a parent or sibling.

You will receive a comprehensive report and diagnostic letter within 4–6 weeks.

You are welcome to get in touch. I can send you a free short online screening questionnaire, and we can also arrange a free 20-minute consultation to think through whether an assessment feels right for you.

Yes. I offer a 10% discount when seven or more sessions are booked and paid for in advance.

Yes. I offer a free, no-obligation 20-minute consultation to discuss your needs and whether we might be a good fit to work together.

Yes. I am a fully insured Clinical Psychologist, registered with the HCPC, and I am also a Chartered member of the British Psychological Society.

You can get in touch via the contact form on my website or by emailing info@sdonevapsychology.co.uk. I aim to respond to all messages within 48 hours.