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Specialist in clinical health psychology (including HIV/AIDS) and behavioural addictions Before moving to Hong Kong, Justin worked for the UK National Health Service. He worked as the Lead Psychologist for the Cardiac Rehabilitation Service at St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London NHS Trust. He also worked in the Sexual Health Psychology and Psychotherapy Service at Mortimer Market Clinic (Camden Primary Care Trust), Central London. During his professional training in clinical psychology he spent a year working in the Child and Family Department of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, which is a leading centre of excellence in the UK for the teaching and practise of systemic and psychoanalytic psychotherapies. He also spent two years working in adult mental health settings, supporting people with physical, sexual, neuropsychological or substance misuse problems. His doctoral thesis investigated the effects of chronic recreational ketamine use on memory and subjective experiences. Prior experience includes running a healthy sexuality project for adolescents with learning disabilities, working with people with mental health and substance misuse problems, and supporting people with mental health problems in primary care. Common themes that arise in psychological work related to physical health, sexual health and behavioural addictions are:
Justin aims to provide a non-judgmental service for people regardless of their gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, religion or any other factor. Psychological services offered Assessment (including neuropsychological) and therapy, support groups and psychoeducational classes to individual patients/ clients, couples, families and friends, and groups. Teaching, training, consultation and supervision for health professionals and organisations. Psychological therapies offered Justin is trained in the practice of cognitive-behavioural, systemic, supportive psychodynamic and cognitive-analytic therapies. Frequently asked questions
In general, psychology is the academic study of the human mind and behaviour. A clinical psychologist is someone who has completed a three to four year undergraduate degree in psychology, and post-graduate professional training (masters or doctorate level) in clinical psychology accredited by their national psychology organisation. During their post-graduate professional training they learn to investigate and apply psychological knowledge to the field of human distress/ mental health. Clinical psychologists are trained to provide: psychotherapy/ ‘talking therapy’; training, supervision and consultation on psychological matters to other people, and to be researchers. In the UK and in Hong Kong, a clinical psychologist does not prescribe medication. Clinical health psychology is a specialist area of psychology where someone who is trained as a clinical psychologist applies their skills in the assessment and treatment of human distress to the physical health arena. This can include the following areas: management of stress and pain; support/ rehabilitation for people affected by chronic illnesses (e.g., cancer, HIV or cardiovascular disease); developing interventions for problems related to, for example, spinal cord injury and disfiguring surgery; supporting health professionals, and carrying out research. What is a psychological problem? Psychology is the study of the human mind and behaviour, which includes emotions, thoughts, physical/ physiological sensations and behaviour/ action. Within the field of clinical psychology, a person might be considered to have a psychological problem if they are experiencing sufficient distress in any of these areas so as to interfere with their wellbeing, relationships, work or other aspects of their daily lives. They may or may not have a formal mental health diagnosis. What is the difference between psychological therapy, psychotherapy and talking therapy? In general, psychological therapy, psychotherapy and talking therapy are different terms for the same thing. The British Psychological Society defines psychotherapy as “the practice of alleviating psychological distress through talking rather than drugs; indeed, it is often referred to as 'talking therapy'.” Clinical psychologists are trained to practice psychotherapy. There are many different types or brands of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, systemic therapy and psychodynamic therapy. In general, they are different ways of thinking (or ‘models’) about the development and maintenance of psychological distress. They aim to help people think about and look at their problems in new ways, to gain new understanding – this can enable people to cope more effectively with their current and future situations. What is the difference between types of psychological therapy? Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) aims to help people change patterns of thinking or behaviour that are causing, or contributing to, problems. Changing how you think and behave also changes how you feel. CBT tends to focus on why problems are maintained rather than why they developed. Therapist and client(s) will agree goals for treatment and the client will try things out between sessions. It is a structured, time-limited approach. Systemic therapy emphasises that people and psychological problems exist not in isolation, but in relation to family, friends, school and work places as well as within religious, political and economic systems. Thus, time is spent exploring problems, and solutions, within relationships. Different members of the system may be invited to join sessions and as such a core principle of systemic therapy is that although different people perceive the world differently, all views are equally valid. A system often asks for help when it feels stuck - the aim of the therapist is to help the system to unstick itself so that it is emplowered by the process. Supportive psychodynamic therapy involves a therapist listening to your experiences, exploring connections between present feelings and actions and past events. This treatment is based on understanding the patient through the relationship they develop with the therapist, and therefore the therapist is likely to draw attention to this relationship as the work progresses. It aims to help you understand more about yourself and your relationships with others. Supportive psychodynamic therapy is often medium to long-term. Cognitive-analytic therapy (CAT) “focuses its attention on discovering how problems have evolved and how the procedures [patterns of responding] devised to cope with them may be ineffective. It is designed to enable clients to gain an understanding of how the difficulties they experience may be made worse by their habitual coping mechanisms. Problems are understood in the light of clients' personal histories and life experiences. The focus is on recognising how these coping procedures originated and how they can be adapted and improved. Then, mobilising the clients' own strengths and resources, plans are developed to bring about change. The work is active and shared. Diagrams and written outlines are worked out together to help recognise, challenge and revise old patterns that do not work well. Agreed insights are noted in documents, which become tools for use within, outside and beyond the duration of therapy.” Association of Cognitive Analytic Therapy. The psychology therapy process
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About | Dr
Blurton | Professionals | Services |
