Established in 2017
Psychological Therapy in County Durham
“I never thought therapy would work for me. How wrong I was. Daniel got to the bottom of my problems. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
“I never thought therapy would work for me. How wrong I was. Daniel got to the bottom of my problems. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
Dr Daniel Blackman
Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist
Are you looking for a Clinical Psychologist specialising in adult mental health and psychological therapy? If so, I may be able to help. Read on to find out more.
You may be seeking help for a diagnosable mental health problem or you may be struggling with something less well-defined e.g. a change in circumstances or recognising the same unwelcome thing happening repeatedly in your relationships or at work. Either way, I can offer a treatment plan tailor-made for you.
Do get in touch if you would like to discuss whether I may be able to help you and, to find out more about what Clinical Psychologists do and how we differ from other mental health professionals, watch these FAQs videos.
I have specialised in adult mental health for fifteen years. My principal focus during this time has been the provision of psychological therapy. Prior to establishing DDCP in 2017, I worked in a range of NHS settings. This included both primary and secondary care outpatient Psychology services. I am therefore familiar with mental health problems at varying levels of severity, from general wellbeing and stress management to complex trauma and longstanding interpersonal problems.
My broad experience of adult mental health not only means that I am equipped to respond to a wide range of difficulties. It also means that I recognise work that is suitable for independent practice and work that should instead be undertaken by a multidisciplinary team. This knowledge adds significantly to my ability to practice both safely and ethically.
British Psychological Society Chartered Psychologist
British Psychological Society Associate Fellow
Health Care Professions Council Practitioner Psychologist
North East Association of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists Candidate
Institute of Group Analysis Foundation Course
Balint Society Accredited Group Leader
Newcastle University DOCTOR OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2013
Open University BSC (HONS) PSYCHOLOGY (1ST) 2007
Teesside University PGCERT PRIMARY CARE MENTAL HEALTH 2009
DDCP is an independent clinical psychology practice specialising in adult mental health. We provide psychological therapy and assessment services. Clinical supervision for other professionals is also available.
One of the main benefits of choosing to work with a Clinical Psychologist is that we are trained to draw on and to integrate a range of psychological therapy approaches. The ability to integrate approaches in this way means that we are able to respond with flexibility to each individual we work with.
Whilst I do make use of a number of approaches in this way, I principally draw on psychodynamic psychotherapy, which is a school of psychotherapy that has, for over a century, been evolving in response to the original ideas of Sigmund Freud. This evidence-based approach takes as much interest in the person experiencing symptoms as it does in the symptoms themselves. The aim is to achieve deep-seated change in the way a person relates to themselves and to others. It tends to appeal to people who wish to think about themselves in depth in order to make enduring changes in how they cope with life.
Each session lasts for fifty minutes and takes place in a purpose-built clinic in Wolsingham, online, or by phone.
I have completed a BPS approved Register of Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors training course and am experienced in providing clinical supervision to other psychologists. I am an accredited Balint Group leader and can provide reflective practice groups in this format. Fees for individual clinical supervision are the same as for therapy.
I offer an Assessment and Formulation package, which includes five sessions and a report. During the initial four sessions, information is gathered about your difficulties in order to understand them better from a psychological perspective. A preliminary 'map' of what may keep the problems going is then developed and shared. This 'formulation' is used to inform recommendations for treatment or management of the difficulties in question. Whilst the assessment does sometimes result in a diagnosis, often it does not as many conditions require multidisciplinary input to reach a formal diagnosis. A final fifth session provides an opportunity to discuss a draft of the report and to consider any changes that may be required before it is finalised. Often, people wish to have an assessment report to share with their GP.
The Assessment and Formulation Package is typically requested when a person:
Prefers to have a report that includes treatment recommendations prior to deciding whether to commit to psychological therapy.
Presents with a significant level of risk and/or complexity and a formal assessment is recommended as a first step.
Wants an opportunity to talk about their problems in depth before deciding whether psychological therapy is for them.
Wishes to consider whether there may be things they can do to help themselves without on-going psychological therapy.
If you are with BUPA, you can find me on their list of providers, here. I also accept referrals from AVIVA and WPA.
I offer video sessions on a stand-alone or hybrid basis, as appropriate to need.
I am regulated by the HCPC and registered with the British Psychological Society.
This rate applies to self-funded psychological therapy appointments. It includes a 50 minute meeting and all associated administration. Google Meet sessions are also included under this rate. There are no hidden costs and psychological therapy is VAT exempt.
Assessments take place over five sessions and it can take up to a day to write a report. Choosing this package could save you a significant sum compared to paying for everything separately. This package is charged at a higher rate for third party purchasers.
A no obligation 30-minute meeting to say hello and find out what working with me would be like. This is usually the first step when considering psychological therapy.
If you would like to discuss getting started or if you have a question about our services, please submit an enquiry.