Dr Carly Butler

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I understand that deciding to meet with a psychologist can be an important (and often anxiety provoking) step towards addressing the challenges you might face in life. In my experience, a trusting therapeutic relationship with your psychologist is one of the most important foundations for working towards change. My primary aim, therefore, is to create an environment for talking where you feel comfortable, respected, and safe enough to try out different ways of approaching or thinking about the problem that brought you here.

 

I view the people who come to therapy as the experts on their own experiences, and so working in collaboration with each person I consult with is an integral part of my approach. I have worked within the field of psychology and mental health for 15 years, and have been continually struck by the stories of resilience I hear when people meet with me, despite the multiple challenges they have faced. In my work, therefore, I aim to foster and build on the strengths, abilities and skills that I believe people already have when they decide to seek support.

 

Having worked in clinical health and neurology settings in the NHS, I have specialist knowledge and experience of working with long-term physical health problems and changes in cognition (including the assessment of memory and cognition, and issues relating to dementia). I appreciate that people and problems don’t exist in isolation, and so I often work with couples and families as well. In addition to this, I have substantial experience of working with informal carers and relatives of people with long-term health problems and dementia. 

 

I pride myself on the genuine and compassionate approach I take to working with all people I meet, whether this be for a one-off consultation, a cognitive assessment, or a short-term piece of psychological therapy. The methods and techniques I might use within a session will vary depending on what your hopes are for meeting with me, but I mainly draw on systemic, cognitive-behavioural and third-wave approaches (including mindfulness and acceptance and commitment therapy).

 

I completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Royal Holloway University of London, and have been working with the NHS and local authority services for the past 10 years. From my NHS work, I have experience of supervising other psychologists to deliver therapy, and in providing consultation to other professionals and services. I also take an interest in how mental health services and professionals assure their care is effective and of a high quality, and have publications in this area.

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I offer both remote and face to face appointments. My clinic space is in South East London, near Denmark Hill Station.