Dr Nicola Griffiths
Hi I’m Nicola. I believe that psychology at it’s best creates a safe supportive space to be listened to, develop a shared understanding and out of that find solutions and approaches that really work - that’s what I strive to achieve!
How I work
I have the psychology knowledge, you have all the inside info - together we have the answers!
My approach is to work collaboratively, putting your experiences, interests, strengths and values right at the centre of the therapeutic process.
I work in an integrative way, weaving together a range of models to create a personalised approach that aims to fit to you rather than the other way around.
Models I use
I am experienced in using a range of therapeutic models including:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Compassion Focussed Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Behavioural Activation
Trauma Focussed CBT
Narrative Therapy
Systemic Approaches
Neuropsychological Assessment
Neuro behavioural approaches
RAID positive behavioural approach
Qualifications
Degree in Psychology with Neuroscience (BSc, University of Leicester)
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (ClinPsyD, University of Surrey)
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Neuropsychology (PGDip, University of Glasgow)
Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
Accredited trainer in the RAID approach
Experience
Senior Clinical Psychologist at specialist mental health charity working on inpatient wards with people living with complex neurological difficulties.
Private individual work with people experiencing, depression, anxiety, work stress, loss, complex trauma and PTSD.
Specialist Doctoral placement supporting military veterans experiencing PTSD
Doctoral NHS placements in community adult mental health, older adult mental health (inpatient and community), community child and adolescent mental health and community learning disability services.
Additional Training
Compassion Focussed Therapy for Self-Criticism
Compassion Focussed Staff Support
Transdiagnostic Approaches to Trauma
Research
Doctoral thesis on the impact of co-rumination (negative interpersonal communication patterns)
Why I chose to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology
It sounds like a cliché to say I got into psychology to help people but I’m afraid it’s true! My favourite part of my role is when someone comes into the session and proudly tells me how they have progressed in the week, or when I walk onto a ward to be told how well a patient is doing. I enjoy working with people to understand and find solutions to the problems they face.
Being a bit of a brain geek I have always been interested in how biological, psychological and social factors come together to form who we are. My initial degree was in Psychology with Neuroscience and I followed this interest through into my current role working part time on a neuropsychology inpatient ward. I continue building on my interest in this area and am currently working towards a post doctoral masters in Neuropsychology at the University of Glasgow.