Dr Michelle Sowden

After qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist in 1993, I gained experience in a community mental health day hospital and in acute services with Heathlands Mental Health Trust, before moving to Frimley Park Hospital in 1995, to take up a post specialising in the psychological care of patients with physical health problems.

Over a 23-year period, I established and led a clinical health psychology service within Frimley Park Hospital where I broadened my basic experience in chronic pain management to a wide range of specialties including cancer, pain management, intensive care, gastroenterology, neurology, obstetrics, gynaecology and cardiac and respiratory care. I moved into full-time private practice in 2018.

I have over 30 years' experience of working in physical healthcare alongside doctors and nurses, physiotherapists and dieticians, contributing to people’s recovery and rehabilitation. I was awarded Consultant status by the British Psychological Society in 2001, in recognition of my qualifications and experience in this field. I have also gained 30 years' experience of providing supervision and training to healthcare staff.

I strongly believe that good psychological care should be embedded in patient care at all levels of the service. To this end I have worked with the local Critical Care and Cancer Networks, the Nuffield Oncology Unit providing staff support and clinical supervision and with the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice where I also provide more formal psychological skills training for staff. I have contributed to training clinical psychologists on the doctorate course at the University of Surrey.

I am passionate about supporting healthcare professionals to manage the impact of their work on their wellbeing and I am privileged to have facilitated Schwartz Rounds at Frimley Park Hospital, which provide a forum for staff to reflect on the impact of their work on their wellbeing.

I see people who need help to cope with and manage changes in their physical health because of an illness or because of injury. Examples include coping with a diagnosis of cancer, diabetes, cardiac disease, respiratory conditions, chronic pain, fatigue or rheumatological conditions, neurological disorders, gastrointestinal disorders or obstetric or gynaecological issues.

I can also offer help with more general anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues and stress; you don’t have to have a physical health diagnosis to consult me.

I offer an integrated approach drawing on traditional cognitive behavioural therapy, systemic therapies, mindfulness and trauma therapies. My therapeutic work is based on a thorough assessment and discussion about what you would like to work on. I offer structured short, or longer term, psychological therapy tailored to meet your needs. Since many of my patients have experienced loss and change, my work is grounded in providing a safe and compassionate space in which difficulties can be explored. I am able to see you individually or with a partner, and I can help with relationship issues where these have been affected by illness.

I am registered with all the main medical insurance companies. I am happy to have a brief call before you book to check that I am a good match for your psychological therapy needs.

Specific examples of psychological therapy I have offered include:

• Managing long term illness such as coming to terms with a difficult diagnosis or finding ways of coping better with symptoms and physical limitations
• Coping with anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress arising in relation to physical illness or injury
• Coping with psychological distress in the perinatal period including fear of childbirth, psychological trauma from more complex deliveries, and ante- or post-natal anxiety or depression
• Coping with unpleasant symptoms such as long term/chronic pain and fatigue
• Coping with symptoms that may cause embarrassment such as unpredictable bowel motions or wind
• Overcoming health related phobias, including needle phobias, fear of scanners, anaesthesia, surgery, dental work
• Worries about health and panic attacks, for instance, associated with allergies or asthma
• Support with making difficult health related decisions such as in relation to elective or prophylactic surgery
• Coping with changes in appearance that are causing distress, such as scarring, loss of limbs, acne and body image changes due to weight gain or loss
• Managing more general stress, anxiety and low mood

My research in the field of chronic pain has been published in academic journals and presented at national and international conferences. I am co-author of a textbook on cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic illness and palliative care, and I also contributed to a textbook addressing psychological challenges in obstetrics and gynaecology.

In line with standard professional requirements, I access regular clinical supervision from a fellow Consultant Clinical Psychologist who specialises in the same field.

Please note that traditionally clinical psychologists have provided help to people with more severe mental health difficulties. Whilst I am happy to advise on onwards referrals for severe and enduring mental health problems and head injuries, these require a different expertise to my specialism.