What I can help with
My special areas of interest include depression and anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder), self-esteem issues, recent and childhood traumas, chronic health problems, and adult ADHD. I work with couples and individuals having relationship difficulties. I also offer vitality clinic sessions focusing on introducing positive changes in the areas of stress management, nutrition/weight, sleep, and exercise.
My values
I respect my clients’ autonomy and believe in their ability to grow and overcome problems. Hope and knowledge give me motivation and confidence that therapeutic goals can be reached.
I accept and value clients as they are so they can accept and value themselves and have the courage to be who they want to be, living according to their values and with respect towards others. I invite my clients to unburden themselves in a non-judgmental space so they can see the patterns that constrict them.
I believe that there is beauty and strength in diversity, and I work with clients representing cultural, racial, religious, gender, sexual and neurodiversities. Embracing diversity allows us to face the biggest obstacles and solve problems on an individual and collective level. Each human brain is different, with a unique set of skills and challenges.
I view each client as a whole, keeping in mind their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. This holistic approach helps to understand and address the ways issues in one area can lead to concerns in another.
I’m continuously engaged in personal and professional development so I can better understand and address the issues of my clients.
How I work
At the beginning of therapy, an assessment of your problems, needs, hopes and expectations is made. If you have had therapy before, we explore what worked and what didn’t. We talk about your personal history, including childhood events and any traumas you experienced in life, as well as past and current important relationships and significant life events. This helps us to understand what shaped you. We focus on your current life challenges as the present moment is the one when you can take actions that enrich your life.
We explore your values to identify what is truly important to you and will motivate you to overcome inevitable obstacles. We create an action plan and work on developing the skills you need to stay on your chosen course. As therapy proceeds, increased trust and understanding allow more sensitive material to come to the surface and, as you come to understand yourself better and strengthen your self-compassion, your capacity to heal and grow will expand.
My therapeutic approach is practical, collaborative and experiential. During sessions, with your permission, you will be learning and practising new skills to later use in your daily life. You may sometimes feel challenged, surprised or unsure, but you will always be welcome to discuss any doubts, questions or reservations you may have as only if we work as a team we will succeed.
I offer in-person sessions but I am also a certified tele-mental health provider with many years of experience working with people using online platforms for their convenience.
CV
Kat Wawer Dziedziak
Chartered Psychologist, Registered Practitioner Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist
Academic qualifications
MSc Psychologist, Clinical Specialist, 1995
Professional qualifications & memberships
- Chartered Psychologist of the British Psychological Society
- Registered Practitioner Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist of the Health and Care Professions Council
- Partner Member and Recommended Specialist of the Polish Psychologists Association in London.
Further training
- Diploma of School of Social Pathology Prevention, Psychotherapy, 1994
- Advanced Certificate in Counselling, CBT, 2010
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), 2012/2013
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), 2019/2020
- Certified Clinical Telemental Health Provider, 2023
- BPS Approved Certificate in Clinical Supervision, 2023
Recent courses
- Alcohol addiction training – Aquarius Action Projects, 2009-2012
- Drug and alcohol addictions – substance misuse training – Turning Point, 2010 – 2011
- Domestic violence training – Jan Foundation (DV charity supporting women living with domestic violence), 2011
- Expert Witness – The British Psychological Society 2015
- Essential Knowledge of Neuropsychology for Practitioner Psychologists – The British Psychological Society, 2015
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Boot Camp – Cognitive Workshops – Institute of Education, 2016
- Autism Awareness – The British Psychological Society 2017.
- Expert Strategies for Working with Anxiety – The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioural Medicine, 2018
- Working with the Traumatized Brain – The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioural Medicine, 2019
- ACT as a Brief Intervention, Institute for Better Health, 2021
- Mindfulness & Acceptance for Self-Esteem, Contextual Consulting, 2021
- ACT for Depression and Anxiety Disorders, Institute for Better Health, 2023
- EMDR & Parts Work for Treating Complex Trauma: Somatic Techniques to Decrease Defensiveness and Facilitate Trauma Processing, PESI, 2023
- EMDR: A Rapid, Safe, and Proven Treatment for Trauma, PESI, 2023
- Certified Clinical Telemental Health Provider Training: A Therapist Guide for Ethical, Legal and Technology Concerns when Using Teletherapy, 2023
- Virtual EMDR: A How to Guide to Providing EMDR via Telehealth, PESI, 2023
- ACT for adult ADHD, Contextual Consulting, 2023
- Integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), SDS, 2023
- ACT skills for working with chronic pain, Contextual Consulting, 2024
Clinical experience
I have been working as a psychologist for over 20 years. I gained my clinical experience in several institutions including a detention centre, mental health hospitals and NGOs.
In my practice, I offer psychological assessment, short-term therapy and in-depth work to clients who have a wide range of life issues and mental health problems. I work with individuals, couples and groups. I have clients from many different social and cultural backgrounds. I also psychologically assess clients for rehabilitation and injury management companies and provide relevant trauma-focused treatment.
Since 2011 I have been working as an Associate Chartered Psychologist for Forensic Psychology Practice Ltd, providing psychology services to social, health, and criminal justice agencies. I have experience in conducting assessments and written reports for the family courts involving assessing adults and children with a wide range of difficulties.
The British Psychological Society assessed that I have relevant supervised training and experience equivalent to the UK professional doctorate level. For this reason, I was admitted as a Chartered Member. I am also a Practitioner Psychologist registered by the Health and Care Professions Council, Partner Member and Recommended Specialist of the Polish Psychologists Association in London.
I am interested in the psychological aspects of immigration and its impact on mental health. Some of my clients speak English as a second language. Providing culturally sensitive assessment and treatment is crucial to their accuracy and effectiveness. I am aware that in a diverse UK population assessment and therapy need to take cultural differences into consideration.
Additional information
- Full-enhanced DBS (formerly CRB) clearance
- Registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office
- Personal professional indemnity insurance
- Proficient English and Polish speaker
Kat Wawer Dziedziak Psychology Practice 