Stella Compton Dickinson, UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist

Stella Compton Dickinson

LONDON SE1 English
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Stella Compton Dickinson, UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist

Stella Compton Dickinson

LONDON SE1 English
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My Approach

Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) is based on how we form relationships and how we can develop these further so that we can enjoy the present time by reflecting on and learning ways to do things more effectively rather than being stuck in old habits that no longer serve us well. I treat everyone who I meet as having had uniquely different life experiences. I can assess and make recommendations in order to create for you a bespoke treatment plan. We can, if you so choose, evaluate this for clinical effectiveness.

I specialise in expert treatment for people in high pressure and stressful jobs or in retirement planning. I have a unique understanding of the associated issues from my first career in the music industry . I can provide you with new, creative and helpful ways to understand presenting and underlying problems. I will spend time outside of your session to reflect on and build up a personal reformulation Ietter for you which is a useful aide memoire to support relapse prevention once your weekly sessions are completed.

I provide face to face and remote access sessions in both London at Guy’s hospital and in Cumbria and Lancashire. CAT is very effective for those suffering with anxiety, depression and trauma -related issues. My life and work experiences provide a unique understanding by which to help people who are suffering from trauma -related issues, for people working in media, sports and the performing arts. Equally I help people who feel they have lost their way, others who are struggling with relationship issues, many who are going through a life transition and those who may be suffering bereavement, anxiety or depression. I have a total of thirty years of therapeutic experience both in the National Health Service and private practice. I promote balanced, holistic and active healthy lifestyle choices.

About Me

Hello and welcome, I introduce myself firstly as an authentic person who is able to help others through my professional skills and experience. I am an ACAT accredited cognitive analytic psychotherapist and clinical supervisor, also trained as a healthcare researcher at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience.

I am registered with the UKCP, BACP and the Professional Standards Authority, The HCPC and for data protection with the ICO . My first therapeutic qualification in 1995 was that of HCPC registered music therapist, this followed a successful career as a classically trained musician. My life and work experiences provide a unique understanding by which to help people who are working in media, sports and the performing arts. I have worked for major shipping companies, local authorities social services and I am approved by the British Association of Performance Arts Medicine
( BAPAM) . I can help aspiring artists/performers to gain charitable funding for their therapeutic treatment.

Having developed and implemented a randomised controlled trial into the clinical effectiveness of cognitive analytic music therapy (2010-2012) I retired from my NHS Head of Department and Clinical Research Lead post and gained my doctoral award in 2015. During the pandemic I returned to the NHS as an external consultant supervisor for Haringey Adult Mental Health services in 2019. I am registered with Healthcode to take referrals through all recognised private health insurance companies except BUPA.

My research was awarded the 2016 Ruskin Medal for the most impactful doctoral research, and I have published numerous articles and two books most recently writing about creativity in mental health: https://pavpub.com/mental-health/creativity-and-mental-health-a-cognitive-analytic-approach-to-integrating-play-and-imagination-in-psychotherapy-supervision-and-training?srsltid=AfmBOorJ-Ob5LPgI_ehXtLF9JzkN51F3h1HbIZfe1K9RESyDfRhuilV7.

I work with

  • Companies
  • Couples
  • Groups
  • Individuals
  • Private healthcare referrals

Special Interests

Like all UKCP registered psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors I can work with a wide range of issues, but here are some areas in which I have a special interest or additional experience.

Since the pandemic, anxiety has become more of a problem for many people. It is a condition that is affected by life events. Due to the controls exerted on everyone during lockdown, unresolved issues from the past may have been re-activated. Cognitive analytic therapy is the right model to reformulate and resolve these relational issues.
Social and cultural norms and ways of responding vary from generation to generation and within different societies. These can lead to habits and sometimes to negative thoughts and feelings that are no longer relevant within the environment in which we now live. Once recognise you may be able to think, feel and express yourself with a greater sense of authenticity and freedom
At this stage in my career, supervising and mentoring those in the caring professions is a central part of my work. I am an accredited supervisor and Myers Briggs 'Mentor' as well as an independent academic healthcare researcher, peer reviewer and published author. During my NHS employment as Head of arts therapies and clinical research lead in a national secure forensic psychiatric hospital, I developed a team of music and art therapists from one to thirteen members. I continue to train and supervise charity funded and NHS cognitive analytic therapists and music therapists as well as providing online and organisational and charity based workshops as well as delivering university and conference lectures nationally and internationally.
Accidents and many forms of domestic violence, past or present, can lead to repetitive relational patterns that are traumatic and corrosive in their impact, it can feel 'as if' there is no escape. Once these patterns are safely recognised and understood within the cognitive analytic framework and with specialist neurological understanding of trauma related responses, you will be supported to reflect on and practise different ways of responding that can lead to greater fulfilment and peace in the present moment.

Types of Therapies Offered

  • Cognitive Analytic Therapist

What I can help with

  • Abuse
  • Addiction
  • Anger Management
  • Anorexia
  • Anxiety
  • Bereavement
  • Bulimia
  • Bullying
  • Depression
  • Domestic Violence
  • Eating Disorders
  • Mental Health Issues
  • Obsessions
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Physical Abuse
  • Post-Traumatic Stress
  • Relationships
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Spirituality
  • Stress
  • Trauma

Types of sessions

  • Face to Face - Long Term
  • Face to Face - Short Term
  • Online Therapy
  • Telephone Therapy

LONDON Office

Borough Chambers
Keats House, Guy's Hospital
24-26 St Thomas Street
LONDON SE1 9RS
UK

  Wheelchair accessible View Map

Cost:

I have a sliding scale of payments, depending on circumstances.Performing Artists ( post pandemic) I can assess and help you with applications for funding from charitable bodies. Individuals earning over £40,000 p.a.£125 online. (£175 at Keats House)

Grange over Sands Office

The Nutwood Medical Practice
Kent's Bank Road
Grange over Sands LA11 7DJ
United Kingdom

  Wheelchair accessible View Map

Cost:

I have a sliding scale of payments depending on circumstances please contact me to discuss

Concession:

Trainees and Students.

UKCP College

  • Psychotherapeutic Counselling and Intersubjective Psychotherapy College (PCIPC)
Stella Compton Dickinson

Stella Compton Dickinson

LONDON SE1

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