A quick overview

Founded in 2010, Walton Psychology Services is run by me, Dr Deborah Walton. I use clinical psychology to help people improve their health, happiness and productivity in both personal and professional contexts. I provide one-to-one therapy, expert witness services, training training to healthcare professionals and services to employers. Detailed information can be found on the services page.

I am professionally trained (BSc, MSc, D.Clin.Psych, AFBPsS) and maintain a high level of continuing professional development which ensures that best practice always informs my work. I am registered with BUPA, Benedon, Cigna, Aviva, AXA-PPP and WPS. I provide a calm, supportive and professional service, working with clients to identify and apply the right approach to make things better.

Ethics and confidentiality

My work is underpinned by an evidence-based approach and is bound by the Code of Ethics and Conduct of the British Psychological Society. I work strictly within the Code of Practice of the British Psychological Society and the Health Professions Council and I am registered with both these professional bodies.

Clients are entitled to expect that the information they give to me about themselves and others will remain confidential. I will inform clients of the limits of confidentiality where information about them may be shared and they will be given the opportunity to state any objection to this. If disclosure of information is deemed necessary, I have a duty to try to obtain specific valid consent from my clients, making the consequences of disclosure as clear as possible. There are a number of circumstances where this might not apply: for example where the health, safety or welfare of the client or someone else would otherwise be put at serious risk.

What is a clinical psychologist?

Clinical psychologists are licensed to help reduce distress and enhance psychological well-being.

People come to clinical psychologists for help with a wide range of psychological difficulties such as anxiety, depression, relationship problems, learning disabilities, child and family problems or serious mental illness.

Clinical psychologists use their skill and knowledge to work with the individual to help them better understand their difficulties. They then propose and collaboratively implement a beneficial therapeutic approach designed to help address these difficulties.

There is a variety of therapeutic approaches used by clinical psychologists and these are tailored to suit the individual situation. These approaches are based on science and clinical knowledge.

In additional to helping individuals, clinical psychologists are often used to help improve the the productivity of organisations for example by reducing employee stress. They also provide training and supervision to other healthcare professionals such as those dealing with challenging behaviours.

Does therapy work?

There is now little doubt that psychological treatments are, overall and in general, beneficial, although not everyone will benefit to a satisfactory degree.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is an independent organisation that seeks to provide national guidance with regard to promoting good health across Britain. NICE publishes research updates of the current evidence-base for different types of psychological therapy. There is considerable evidence for the effectiveness of psychological therapies for mental health problems, either alone or in conjunction with medication.

What is therapy like?

Often referred to as a talking therapy, psychological therapy is a process whereby the clinician and client develop a shared understanding of the person's difficulties. It can be viewed as a journey where both individuals attempt to alleviate the client's symptoms and find solutions to related problems.

Therapy sessions are usually held on a weekly or fortnightly basis, and this will be agreed with you taking account both of the type of therapy being used and your other commitments. Therapy is also likely to involve you completing 'homework', such as filling in diary sheets, or carrying out certain tasks, between sessions. These tasks help you to progress more quickly and will be discussed and agreed fully with you in session before you are asked to complete them. At all times in therapy we will be working together and you should feel free to ask questions or raise any issues which you feel uncertain or uncomfortable about at any time.

A session typically lasts an hour and is held in confidential, comfortable and safe surroundings.