Psicon is a private outpatient centre specialising in assessing and treating patients with psychological difficulties and psychiatric conditions.

Our aim is to support patients to be able to cope with life well.

Our clinicians provide a number of rehabilitation interventions for various emotional, psychological and psychiatric conditions for adults, young people and parents. These psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists can help individuals by exploring difficulties being experienced, develop insight into problems and conditions, facilitate coming to terms with problems and altering ways of dealing with problems. We can help increase self esteem, self confidence and improve quality of life. Our clinicians have experience of treating people in crisis, including stress, preparing for, during and after bereavement, relationship break up, job loss, disability etc.

All Psicon clinicians are registered with their respective professional bodies which include the British Psychological Society and the British Medical Association.

If you are being referred for any of our Assessment, Treatment or Rehabilitation services, then please click here for further information on the referral process.

If you are being referred to our Neuropsychological services, then please click here for further information on the referral process.

Please click on any of the most Frequently Asked Questions below for further information that may help you to make best use of our support to you.

What is psychology?
What is psychiatry?
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
Why do people seek psychological therapy?
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
How do I get referred to Psicon?
Who will pay for the services?
What will happen during my first appointment?
How many sessions may I need to attend?
Should I expect any 'homework' during or in-between my sessions?
Do you have facilities for people who are disabled?

What is psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of all forms of human behaviour; the mental make up of individuals, groups and systems that causes them to think or act in the way they do.  Psychologists apply their knowledge of psychology to problem solve, formulate problems and questions in psychological terms and draw creatively on a wealth of psychological theories and techniques to support the finding of ways forward.  Psychologists work directly with complex problems involving individuals, couples, families, groups and service systems.

What is psychiatry?
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis and rehabilitation of mental disorders.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
It is important to note that there are numerous similarities in the approaches taken by Psychiatrists and Psychologists. Both Psychologists and Psychiatrists undertake lengthy training (five to seven years) and have expertise in the assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders using systematic and structured assessment techniques and strategies.  Both are in a position also to comment on prognosis and course of emotional disorders.  Whilst Psychiatrists are medically trained and prescribe mediation and focus on the specialist prescription of psychotropic medications, Clinical Psychologists are trained differently and do not prescribe medication. The expertise of Clinical Psychologists is in the understanding of human behaviour.  Psychologists study behaviour and psychological therapies for seven to eight years.  Initially they undertake a degree (three to four years), then one or more years in an assistant psychologist’s role, then three years full time clinical training before commencing practice.  They use specialist methods to assess and treat psychological disorders, intellectual function and neurological (brain) functioning.  Psychologists also have expertise in the assessment of personality features and traits.  Psychiatrists are medical doctors (trained in a similar way to GPs) who have gone on to specialise in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.  They can prescribe medication and will have spent at least one year in a psychiatric hospital setting.  Some also undertake other therapies including psychotherapy.

Why do people seek psychological therapy?
A person may be feeling emotionally distressed in some way and need to talk through their feelings with an impartial professional.  It is sometimes helpful for people to explore and change thoughts and beliefs which may have become distorted but which underpin those feelings.  Clinicians can help a person decide what certain events mean to them and enable patients to look at how they affect their life.  Some people need reinforcement when they attempt to change to a positive direction. 

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT is a form of therapy which is extensively used by our clinicians all of whom are trained and experienced in using it. CBT is a combination of two types of therapy: behavioural therapy where people learn how to change behaviours and cognitive therapy where people learn to recognise and change thinking patterns.  For example, if someone is feeling very anxious it may feel impossible to gain control (which may trigger or feed the anxiety) but a relaxation or breathing exercise may help them feel calm and able to focus and gain control and/or to change the way they think. CBT involves work on the patient’s part including separately from therapy sessions.  Patients need to be motivated to make changes in their lives.  The harder a patient is prepared to work the better the chances of success.

How do I get referred to Psicon?
It is common to receive referrals from GPs which you can request your GP to do for you.  We also receive referrals from other doctors or consultants. Alternatively, you may be referred by your employer.  You may seek help from your company Occupational Health or Human Resources department (if you have one) in which case your company OH or HR advisor or physician can refer you. However, referrals are welcomed from any source and patients often ‘self refer’ giving brief details over the phone (or in writing if they prefer) at the time of making an appointment. You may also be referred by your solicitor if you are making a claim following a Road Traffic Accident, for example, in which case your solicitor will send details to us. You may also be cross referred between our psychiatric and psychological professionals as the need arises (for example, some Private Medical Insurance companies and legal firms require a psychiatric report prior to psychological rehabilitation being authorised).  Referrals can be made by telephone, in writing, via email or fax.

Who will pay for the services?
Unless you have made arrangements with your employer, solicitor or insurer or have Private Medical Insurance you will be responsible for paying appointment/consultation fees.  Our clinicians are registered with major Private Medical Insurance providers (such as AXA PPP, Groupama, WPA and BUPA).  Registration with other PMI providers is possible.  Please ask for details.  We also make financial arrangements with corporate clients.  Please contact us for current consultation prices.  We must receive details of payments by a third party in writing.  If you are unable to make arrangements for payment you may like to discuss NHS rehabilitation with your GP.

What will happen during my first appointment?
On arrival our receptionist will normally offer you a drink.  There are magazines to read while you wait and music to listen to.  Your clinician will, after introductions, conduct an informal interview and will ask you questions about your life in general, background etc.  This is to help them establish your difficulties and your understanding of your problems plus take into account factors which may affect recovery.  This will enable the clinician to diagnose any condition and formulate a treatment plan with you.  The more information available the better.  The clinician is likely to take notes whilst talking with you. A clinician will normally prepare a rehabilitation plan at the first or subsequent next appointment together with you and define goals and methods and will discuss progress as rehabilitation continues.  First appointments usually last one hour.  If you have been referred by your solicitor or for cognitive tests the assessment is likely to last two or more hours.  This will normally be detailed in your first appointment letter.  If you have been referred (for example by your solicitor) for cognitive or capability reasons the clinician will also carry out certain tests such as verbal reasoning, memory etc.  You will not need to prepare for these (but if you wear glasses you should bring them with you).  Follow up appointments will be arranged with your clinician on attendance and normally last 45 minutes.

How many sessions may I need to attend?
This depends entirely on your particular needs, the severity of your problem and the progression of your treatment, outside influences, motivation etc.  On average patients undergo between six and 12 sessions over three to nine months.  Between six and 20 sessions is common over a period of about a year.  Some patients require many more sessions over a longer period of time.  However, some only require one or two sessions over a few weeks!  Your clinician should be able to estimate this near the commencement of your rehabilitation.

Should I expect any 'homework' during or in-between my sessions?
Yes!  Psychotherapy requires your very active involvement.  Your clinician will not be able to get better for you!  Rather your clinician will be your active partner in therapy and you may learn new ways of looking at your problems to help change your feelings and reactions.  Patients define the problem areas to work upon and the clinician will use special knowledge to help make the desired changes.  A successful outcome will require your best efforts to change thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.  You may be asked to carry out homework such as completing a diary noting mood escalations, for example.  You may also be instructed on relaxation techniques to be practised at home including breathing exercises.  Relaxation tapes may be prescribed for use outside of the clinic.  You may be expected to undertake other workbook exercises or to undertake specific work on relationships, for example, (such as not talking about your problems for a while!).  You may also be asked to set aside periods during your day to consider particular elements of your problem.  In essence, your clinician will ask you to practise your new skills outside of sessions.

Do you have facilities for people who are disabled?
Our premises has a downstairs consulting room and WC.  There are four single, separate steps to negotiate on the ground floor.  We can offer different heights of chairs.