Dr Natalie Kanakam
Dr Natalie Kanakam
Clinical Psychologist, DClinPsych, PhD
Individual Therapy
My work is influenced by a range of therapeutic approaches, such as, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Family Therapy approaches. I work in a way that allows you to feel truly heard and values your identity and past, present and future aspirations for life. Some problems may ease after a few sessions. Others might require longer-term therapy and more thought which can be worked on together.The choice to begin therapy can be emotional. I offer an initial assessment to explore your issues at your pace, in a confidential, thoughtful and non-judgemental way and consider whether you would like to work with me. I will work with you to explore your life experiences and build your resources to foster positive changes in your life.
I work flexibly with the things that are important to you as a unique person to ensure a tailor made approach. Therapy is often about reducing immediate psychological distress but I believe it is also about helping you to lead a more happy life . Psychological therapy can help with the following:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Social anxiety
- Low self-esteem
- Eating disorders (Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Maudsley Model of Family Therapy for Eating Disorders)
- Minoritized identities (i.e. sexuality, ethnicity and other)
- Psychological support for people wit medically unexplained symptoms
- Psychological support for people with physical health
- Interpersonal difficulties
- Work place stress
- Psychological support for people with neurodevelopmental presentations
- Parent support for managing child and young persons behaviour
Therapy Modalities
Therapy delivered by a Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Psychologists are trained to use a variety of therapy modalities and to integrate and use these in line with the individuals needs. The suitability of each therapy modality is determined on the basis of the individuals goals and an assessment by the psychologist. All therapies used are informed by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) and scientific research.
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Compassion Focused Therapy is especially helpful for individuals who have high levels of shame and self-criticism. Individuals who experience threat may experience anger, anxiety and worry. This model encourages individuals to be compassionate toward themselves and towards others through compassion focused imagery that stimulates the soothing system.
Systemic Therapy
Systemic and family therapy focuses on the relationship between people, their communication and dynamics, as opposed to the individual alone. This type of therapy can be helpful for couples and families which might include parents and children, siblings and carers. This approach reduces distress by addressing the patterns of interaction and communication within the system.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy allows us to explore our psychological distress by understanding the relationship between our emotions, thoughts, physical sensations and behaviours that follow. CBT aims to modify unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours that maintain the presenting difficulty. There is a large evidence base to show the effectiveness of CBT especially for phobias, panic disorder, depression and anxiety.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy works towards supporting the individual to identify their values and goals for life and align with these goals. The premise is to accept that painful emotions part of the human experience. Therefore, difficult emotions should not stop us from moving forward in our lives. With this understanding the aim is to no longer avoid but to commit to making necessary changes in behaviour.
© 2019