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Clinical Psychology aims to reduce distress and promote psychological well being.  Clinical Psychologists specialise in helping people by using psychological therapies ('talking treatments').  Many of the problems they can help with (e.g. stress and low mood) can affect most people at certain times in their lives.  Old habits and coping styles can keep us stuck and stop us functioning as well as we might.

Psychologists work with individuals and couples, assessing their needs and providing therapies based on theories and research.  Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is the main therapy used and has been scientifically tested in decades of research trials.  It is one of the principal  talking treatments recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence).  The basis of CBT is that people's thoughts can affect how they feel and how they behave.  During times of distress, people think differently about themselves and what happens to them.  Thoughts can become extreme and unhelpful and this can worsen how a person feels.  They may then behave in a way that prolongs their distress.  CBT practitioners help each person identify and change their extreme thinking and unhelpful behaviour.  In doing this, the result is often a major improvement in how a person feels and lives.

Dr Sandra Wiltshire is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist accredited by The British Psychological Society (BPS) and registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC). She is a CBT therapist accredited by the BABCP  (The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies). She gained a BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology in 1992 and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Southampton in 1997. She has over 16 years experience working in the NHS with adults and young people with a wide range of difficulties.  She has worked in in-patients and out-patients settings, a specialist eating disorders unit and community mental health teams.  She held an NHS Consultant Clinical Psychologist post in South Oxfordshire for 6 years.  Dr Wiltshire has specialised in the treatment of people with complex problems and apart from CBT can utilise techniques from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness and Schema-focused Cognitive Therapy.  In 2005 she completed a 2 year Practitioner Training Diploma in Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT).  Dr Wiltshire continues to work for the NHS specialising in helping patients with chronic pain conditions.  She also works as a trainer, supervisor and assessor for the well reputed Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre which runs recognised training courses in CBT.

Training and Professional Standards

In order to use the title Clinical Psychologist, a practitioner needs to be registered with the HPC.  This involves completing a three year under graduate degree in Psychology (or equivalent) and a three year Doctorate in Clinical Psychology that has been approved by the HPC.  Psychologists must maintain high standards of ethical practice to remain registered and receive ongoing supervision and training to continue to develop  their knowledge.

The BABCP is the leading organisation for CBT in the UK.  BABCP Accredited CBT therapists have achieved a high level of competence in cognitive and behavioural methods which has also been independently verified.
Psychologists are not medical doctors and therefore do not prescribe medication as a way of trying to help you.

Contact

Dr Wiltshire welcomes a telephone discussion to see if psychological treatment would be suitable for you.  Please contact her or the Faringdon Clinic for a leaflet with more information.  She will be offering mainly evening appointments and can be contacted directly on 07528 269 380 or via email: clinical.psychology@hotmail.co.uk