Dr Nicola Barclay

When I first started working in mental health in 2009, I delivered CBT-based interventions within primary care, focusing on low mood and anxiety problems for people over the age of 16. My Clinical Psychology doctoral training gave me experience across all ages, across a range of difficulties and settings, and across different approaches meaning that I learned how to adapt the way that I work to whoever walked through the door. It is my view that a therapist should work with you to find the best way forward; you shouldn’t have to adapt for your therapist!

For the majority of my career, I have worked with young people (14–35-year old’s) who have been experiencing unusual sensory experiences or unusual and strongly held beliefs. More recently, my NHS job has taken me back to working with adults in a community mental health team, predominantly those with a diagnosis or experience of psychosis or bipolar disorder. Within this, people are often struggling with a range of other difficulties (e.g. OCD, PTSD, depression, anxiety, being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world). I mention this to note that I am used to working with difficulties that may be hard to talk about or you may worry may be too “complex” or misunderstood.

I offer both Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and EMDR, tailoring therapy to each individual’s needs and goals. I have experience supporting people with a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety disorders, depression, social worries, low self-esteem, trauma-related difficulties, PTSD, psychosis, and bipolar disorder. I also work in a neurodivergent-affirming way and am mindful of adapting therapy to suit different thinking styles, communication preferences, and sensory needs.

I work collaboratively, valuing each person as the expert in their own experiences. It may be helpful to invite a partner or family member to a session or two where we both feel this might be useful.

Together, we can explore what has been happening for you, make sense of your difficulties, and develop practical and meaningful ways forward. We will spend the first few sessions getting a really good handle on what’s going on, what’s keeping things stuck and what we can do together to help you achieve your aims of therapy. I offer both short-term focused work and longer-term therapy, depending on what feels most helpful for you.

I strongly believe in the importance of seeing the right therapist for you at the right time. If after meeting with me for a couple of sessions, you do not feel I am a good fit for you, I can help you explore other options to best meet your needs. I never take this personally and always welcome feedback to see how we might best work together.

I hope you will feel listened to, understood and hopeful that things can get better. And even if you don’t feel hopeful at first, I can carry hope for both of us.