Services Provided

What To Expect in therapy

In therapy, you will find a safe, non-judgmental environment in which you can speak openly and confidentially about whatever is concerning you. We would work together on identifying the current problems and the factors that may be maintaining them, exploring how they might have developed & planning how you might change things to move beyond this stuck point. It is about providing you with a space to think & reflect on your experiences & how they might impact on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and influence your choices in work, relationships and life in general.

If we identify a specific mental health disorder such as depression or an anxiety disorder, we can work through evidence-based treatment approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), tailored to your individual needs, to improve your symptoms & help you develop strategies to cope better. I am experienced in and incorporate a range of other approaches when they are appropriate, such as general counselling approaches, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness approaches.

CBT is a therapeutic approach which has a strong scientific evidence base for the treatment of a wide range of mental health problems. It is often recommended by GPs as it is the recommended evidence-based treatment for depression and anxiety-related disorders by The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). However, we are trained to do in-depth assessments of the full range of mental health problems, so if what we can offer does not appear suitable for you or your problem, we have the expertise, based on practical and theoretical knowledge of other therapeutic approaches, to recommend alternative therapies and can signpost accordingly.

Fees & frequency of sessions will depend on individual need. This will be discussed at initial telephone consultation or via email contact.

Conditions Treated

Treatment can be provided for a wide range of problems including:

• Anxiety Disorders
  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder (Worry)
  • Health-related Anxiety
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Panic Attacks
  • Agoraphobia
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Social Anxiety
• Depression – incl. post-natal depression
• Relationship Problems
• Stress management; Work-related problems
• Sleep Problems
• Experience of Abuse
• Lack of confidence/ low self-esteem
• Identity issues; Inter-cultural issues
• Faith-based issues
• Anger management
• Adjustment to Life Changes
• Bereavement/Loss Issues
• Psychological issues related to menopause – perimenopause and postmenopause.
• If you wish to address something that is not covered by this list, please do contact us and we can discuss whether it might be something we can work with.
• You may find it helpful to read my book: Coping With Menopause: Psychological tools for navigating the transition and living a balanced life - Sequoia Books (sequoia-books.com)

Therapies

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a talking therapy in which we would work together in exploring how your thoughts and behaviour relate to the way you feel and how this might be contributing to your problems. CBT helps you stop negative patterns or cycles of thinking & behaviour and enables you to adopt more helpful patterns so you can cope better with your difficulties, which will then improve the way you feel. The skills learnt in CBT are useful, practical and helpful strategies that can be incorporated into your life so you can prevent relapse and manage future stresses and difficulties on your own.

There is considerable research evidence to show that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders. CBT treatments can be completed in a relatively short time compared with other talking therapies.

Therapy with Spiritual/Faith-based Values

Of course all therapeutic work is conducted within the beliefs/values system of the client. For some, there may be issues which they wish to address within the perspective of a spiritual/faith base. We can work within a general spiritual approach or from a more specific religious perspective where required.

From personal experience, and further specific training in this area, I can work with CBT incorporating Islamic values & approaches to understanding the self & well-being. This can also be adapted for other faiths.

Couples/Relationship Therapy

You can of course address relationship issues individual therapy. If you are in individual therapy and we think it might be helpful to hear your partner/spouses’ perceptive on the problem, there can be opportunities for them to attend the occasional session.

Sometimes, however, it can be helpful for you and your partner or spouse to attend a course of therapy sessions together to discuss issues that are affecting your relationship. Therapy can provide a safe, non-judgemental environment where both parties can be listened to and listen to the other with the guidance of a therapist, to address how things might change to improve the relationship.

Creative (Media-based) Therapies

We are in the process of developing some innovative media-based therapies for individuals and groups.

Further details to follow.

In the meantime, if you are interested to know more about these and/or would like to work with us on developing these we would love to hear from you so do get in touch.

Bengali-speaking clients

Dr Momotaj Islam is a native speaker in Sylheti (Bengali) dialect & can provide treatment in Bengali where required, using measures and materials translated into Bengali where available/appropriate.

Expert Witness Work

Dr Momotaj Islam has some experience of assessing and writing reports as an expert witness for court proceedings. “An expert is a person who, through special training, study or experience, is able to furnish the Court, tribunal or oral hearing with scientific or technical information which is likely to be outside the experience and knowledge of a judge, magistrate, convenor or jury. The expert’s role is to assist the Court and not the party(ies) instructing them.” (From BPS Guidelines on Psychologists as Expert Witnesses).

Professional Supervision

Dr Momotaj Islam has many years of experience supervising trainees on Clinical Psychology doctorate courses as well as trainees on a high intensity IAPT course. She provides clinical supervision for qualified Clinical Psychologists & CBT Therapists. This can be arranged as individual, paired or group supervision.

Training

Workshops, seminars or training sessions can be arranged on a range of issues and tailored to the needs of specific groups, e.g. Health & Well-being at Work; Anger Management; Improving Sleep; Mindfulness Techniques; Cultural awareness.

Public Speaking/Media

With the aim of promoting mental well-being/awareness of mental illness/reducing stigma around mental illness, we are available to speak or write on such issues. We have done radio & TV interviews on understanding well-being & reducing stigma around mental health issues - links:

Waitlist Podcast: In this episode, Dr Momotaj Islam discusses tools that can support with anxiety-like symptoms; plus, we start with gaining an understanding of OCD.

Talking about mental health on 'Women Today' (TVOne)

Talking about mental health on 'Women Today' (TVOne)

Presentation at a culture- specific conference; The Story of Bangladesh.

Feature page in the British Bangladeshi Who’s Who publication:

Dr Momotaj Islam is on the BPS’s Directory of Volunteer Careers Speakers and gives talks at schools & runs advice stalls at careers conventions to inform students of the options & pathways for careers in the field of psychology.