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UNDERSTANDING

ACT & Mindfulness

Mindfulness is not a process of cognition, but rather one of awareness: it encourages us to experience each moment as it happens, rather than becoming tangled in an internal flurry of thoughts and anxieties. Mindfulness is fast becoming an essential part of Western psychological therapies.

Popularly associated with stress reduction, calm and stillness, there’s now also clear evidence that mindfulness practice also improves memory, and enhances awareness, empathy and compassion.

An overview of mindfulness based therapies
Article

Mindfulness, though it draws influence from ancient Buddhist tradition, is fast becoming an essential part of a range of non-religious psychological therapies and helping people with a wide variety of physical and emotional concerns.

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ACT ~ Therapy for a meaningful life
Article

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, or ACT, is a cognitive behavioural model of psychotherapy which shuns the classic Western psychiatric concept of 'disorder' in favour of a view of the normal human mind tending towards destructive cognitive and emotional processes.

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Mindfulness and the brain
Article

It's popularly associated with peacefulness, calm, and stress reduction. But there's clear evidence that meditation also improves memory, increases awareness, empathy and compassion. These changes are revealed on brain scans.

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The Neuroscience of Mindfulness
Video

Professor Mark Williams, co-developer of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and research fellow at Oxford University, discusses the science behind why mindfulness works, in calming stress and preventing depression from recurring.

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CENTRAL LONDON

MINDFULNESS BASED THERAPISTS

Dr Filipa Alves-Costa
Chartered Psychologist

Filipa is a dedicated and compassionate Chartered Psychologist and Fellow of the British Psychological Society with over 10 years’ experience across the NHS, private settings, and academia. She provides trauma-focused and relational therapy for adult mental health, including trauma, anxiety & attachment difficulties, depression, anger, psychosis, drug misuse, relationship issues, as well as supports individuals in high-pressure and competitive industries.

As well as the mentioned therapies, Filipa also practices Trauma and schema-informed approaches and can help with unprocessed trauma, loss, and grief.

Available for: Virtual Sessions.

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Dr John Hanna
Chartered Clinical Psychologist

John has practiced as a clinical psychologist since qualifying in 1998, primarily in the NHS working with adults, children and young people, both as community clients and as inpatients in acute crisis. For many years he worked as an inpatient consultant/service lead and during that time he served in elected positions as Chair of the Psychosis and Complex Mental Health Faculty and as Policy Director (England) for the Division of Clinical Psychology, British Psychological Society.

Available for: Face to face sessions at Snow Hill and Virtual sessions

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Dr Aimee McCarthy
Chartered Counselling Psychologist

Aimee, a Chartered Counselling Psychologist, completed her doctorate at Roehamption University. She works in the corporate environment (Banking, Finance, Legal, Insurance and Tech) specialising in depression, anxiety, work related issues including stress and burnout, as well as relationship difficulties.

Available for: Face to face sessions at Snow Hill

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Dr Leah Bull
Chartered Psychologist

Currently on sabbatical leave.

Leah is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist. She has worked within the NHS for a number of years including in a world leading hospital and has a particular specialism in working with young people, people with Autism and ADHD, and people with rare conditions. Leah also has completed and published several research projects.

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Dr Sara Bixby
Clinical Psychologist

Sara is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist who completed her doctoral training at Salomons Centre, part of Canterbury Christ Church University in 2003. Since qualifying, she has worked for the NHS with adults presenting with complex difficulties and for 6 years was part of a psychosis service. She is currently part of a small team providing psychological support to staff in physical healthcare settings.

Available for: Virtual Sessions.

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Dr Anna Marshall
Chartered Counselling Psychologist

Anna is a counselling psychologist who completed her clinical training in 2011 at the University of Surrey. Anna has gained extensive experience working in the NHS and she has particular expertise in woman’s health.

Available for: Face to face sessions at Wimpole Street

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Sara Boulter
Chartered Psychologist

Sara is a consultant clinical psychologist who completed her clinical training in 1995 at the University of Western Cape in South Africa before building a successful private practice in Cape Town. Since coming to London, Sara has gained extensive experience working in the NHS and she has particular expertise in drug misuse and secure services.

Available for: Virtual Sessions.

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Dr Stephen Higgins
Chartered Psychologist

Steve completed his doctoral training at the University of East London. He is a chartered psychologist with wide NHS experience working across mental and physical health services. He has particular expertise in providing support for people who present with anxiety disorders, depression, relationship difficulties, chronic fatigue and trauma.



Available for: Virtual Sessions.

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Gill Deane
Chartered Psychologist

Gill qualified as a psychologist in South Africa and underwent further training in Gestalt Psychotherapy at Metanoia Institute. Since chartership in 2001, she has held senior positions in the public, private and charity sectors. Gill works across all presentations of depressive and anxiety conditions, and has particular expertise in eating disorders and sports’ psychology.

Available for: Virtual Sessions.

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Dr Erin Miller
Chartered Psychologist

Erin completed her professional doctorate at City University London, later to be invited back to lecture on City University’s postgraduate certificate course in counselling. Now concentrating on private practice, Erin has considerable experience in the public sector, as an NHS psychologist and within a number of national charities.

Available for: Virtual Sessions.

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Dr David Gracey
Chartered Psychologist

Alongside his private work, David has worked in the NHS for over 10 years, with various groups including families and older adults. As a researcher he has published in numerous academic journals. He is a chartered psychologist who completed his doctorate at the Institute of Psychiatry.

Available for: Virtual Sessions.

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Hayley Melin
Chartered Psychologist

Alongside her private work, Hayley manages The House Partnership. She also has considerable experience as a psychologist in two NHS trusts. Together with her work in general adult mental health, she has a particular specialism in eating disorders.

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Silvia Miranda CPsychol
Chartered Psychologist

Silvia completed her training at the Institute of Psychiatry and City University. She is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist and a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist who alongside her private practice work, has extensive experience of working in private and public settings including NHS primary care, IAPT, Eating Disorders and specialist Trauma Services. Her particular expertise and specialism is in treating Trauma, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, stress, work and relationships issues. 

Available for: Virtual Sessions.

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