About: Dr Hannah Heims, Clinical Psychologist
Introduction
About Me
Dr Hannah Heims (BSc Hons, DClinPsy, C.Psychol)
I have over twenty years experience working as a Clinical Psychologist in both the NHS and the private sector, offering assessments and evidence based psychological therapy. My aim is to provide the best possible care and support to those I work with, in a collaborative, reflective and compassionate fashion.
I have experience of working with a diverse client group, with a varying degree and severity of psychological disorder. I have worked in primary care (provision of psychological therapy at GP surgeries) and secondary care (provision of therapy within Community Mental Health Teams). I also have experience of working in a specialist centre for anxiety disorders and trauma, an affective disorders unit, and a specialist neuropsychology department. My specialist interests include working with individuals suffering from depression and the anxiety disorders, in particular those suffering from Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Social anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I am also experienced in working with adult clients with ADHD. I am able to provide both assessment, diagnosis and therapy to adults with ADHD.
Qualifications
I have a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) from the Institute of Psychiatry and a First Class BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology from Birmingham University.
Professional Registration
Chartered Psychologist with BPS, Registered with HCPC
Approach: Dr Hannah Heims, Clinical Psychologist
Therapeutic Approach
Therapeutic Approach
Therapeutic Approach
I am experienced and trained in several therapeutic approaches and work integratively to provide an intervention that is specifically designed and tailored to individual needs. The mode of therapy will be guided by the assessment and an individual’s goals and preferences. Therapy is designed to be collaborative, with individual’s taking an active role in and out of sessions. In between sessions, individual’s may be asked to complete ‘homework’ tasks designed to enhance progress and positive change. Therapy is evidence based, which means that it has been clinically proven to work.
Assessment
Therapeutic Approach
Therapeutic Approach
The initial appointment will act as an assessment session to ascertain the nature of an individual’s difficulties/problems. We will explore the history, origin and duration of any difficulties together, with maintaining factors and current life circumstances. While there is an emphasis on the here and now, we will explore any relevant childhood or past experiences that may have made an individual vulnerable to their current difficulties. As part of the assessment, a list of realistic and achievable goals will be set, although these will be reviewed regularly. Please note that an initial appointment does not commit you to ongoing therapy sessions.
Duration
Therapeutic Approach
Duration
Following the assessment, therapy will usually take place on a weekly or fortnightly basis, although frequency can be flexible to accommodate individual needs. Each appointment lasts approximately 55 minutes. The duration of therapy varies according to the nature and extent of an individual’s difficulties. The aim of therapy is to transfer knowledge and skills and eventually to make the therapist redundant. I offer short term therapy (from 6 to 20 sessions) and open-ended therapy. I work in blocks of 6 sessions which allows me and you the ability to review progress on a regular basis.
Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
My dominant approach is CBT; evidence based short-term psychological therapy that can help an individual manage and resolve problems by exploring and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours that elicit negative emotions. CBT has a strong evidence base and The National Institue for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends CBT in the treatment of depression, post-natal depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD,managing long term illnesses and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (this is not an exhaustive list).
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Compassion Focused Therapy integrates CBT, with concepts from evolutionary psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, Buddhism and neuroscience. The focus is to teach client’s skills and attributes of compassion to develop a compassionate mind; a self-soothing, nurturing system. It is especially helpful for client’s with high levels of shame and self-criticism and who have difficulty in feeling warmth toward, and being kind to themselves or others. There is increasing empirical research to demonstrate the importance of compassion when dealing with threat and to resolve conflict.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moment, which can be developed through the practice of meditation and other training. Mindfulness is viewed as taking control of your mind, rather than allowing your mind to be in control of you. We often get caught up in our thoughts, without stopping to notice how those thoughts are driving our emotions and behaviour. It is assumed that having awareness of our thoughts and feelings as they happen moment to moment, can positively change the way we see ourselves and our lives. It has been recommended by NICE for people who have experience of recurrent depression, but has also been used for a range of other difficulties including chronic pain, anxiety and stress.
Schema Focused Therapy
Schema therapy integrates elements of cognitive-behavioural therapy, object relations and gestalt therapy into one unified, systematic approach to treatment. Schemas or ‘lifetraps’ are enduring, self-defeating patterns or themes in thinking, feeling and behaving/coping that typically begin early in life/childhood. These patterns consist of negative/dysfunctional thoughts and feelings, that have been repeated and elaborated upon and now pose obstacles for accomplishing one’s goals and getting one’s needs met. The goal is to help the person to break these negative patterns of thinking, feeling and behaviour and to develop healthier alternatives to the maladaptive coping styles. It is typically recommended for individuals who have not benefited from the shorter term, standard CBT approach, those with long-standing difficulties with depression and anxiety or those who have difficulties in relationships with others.
ADHD Assessment and Treatment
ADHD
ADHD is neurodevelopmental condition. It is characterised by 3 core symptoms; Inattention, Hyperactivity and Impulsivity. These can have a significant impact on an individuals education, work, family life, relationships and general quality of life.
There are two subtypes of ADHD:
Inattentive Subtype; inattentive symptoms are present without problematic hyperactivity.
Combined Subtype: inattentive and hyperactive symptoms present.
Assessment and Diagnosis
I offer specialist ADHD assessments and diagnosis based on DSM-V and ICD-11 diagnostic criteria. The assessment takes the form of an extensive, structured clinical interview, combined with a set of comprehensive questionnaires. Information is gathered from both you as the individual and a relative or close friend and will cover aspects of an individuals difficulties retrospectively from childhood as well as in the current day.
Assessments will take approximately 2 hours.
A comprehensive report will provided with clear recommendations with respect to treatment, support and next steps. Reports will be sent within 2 weeks of the appointment, although the outcome of the assessment can often be given verbally at the end of the session.
Treatment
Treatment
If a diagnosis of ADHD is confirmed there will be a discussion around pharmacological and non pharmacological treatment options.
Treatment options may include:
CBT
Psychoeducation
Support with common difficulties associated with ADHD such as depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, substance misuse, low self-confidence, impulse control, emotional regulation and anger management.
