Dr Jill Neilson DPsych MSc, MSc, MSc, BSc (Hons), CPsychol

I am a Consultant Psychologist with over twenty years experience in the NHS and private practice, working in both physical and mental health settings. A British Psychological Society (BPS) Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol), with dual chartering as a Counselling and Health Psychologist. I have experience of working with a range different types of pain, for example – back, neck, head and face pain, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain and pain related physical injuries e.g. road traffic accidents. I work extensively with clients to develop individualised psychological approaches to managing pain.

Pain can also affect your mental wellbeing. Pain can lead to depression and anxiety. A typical response to pain can be disbelief, despair, and a sense of lack of direction in life. It can feel difficult to move on from these feelings and they compound your experience of pain. Pain may be a result of trauma, e.g. an accident or assault, and you may have symptoms of PTSD. I can work with you on both the pain management strategies and any impact that this has on your mood. Where necessary addressing both these areas – pain and mood, tends to lead to a better outcome. For some, the advent of a physical problem can prompt the desire to make life changes; I can offer you support in making them.

I offer three therapy specialisms:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – including third wave CBT approaches: Mindfulness, Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focussed Therapy
• Systemic and Family Therapy
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).

The therapeutic approach depends on the individual and the difficulties they are experiencing at the time. The most suitable approach will be discussed at the outset of the therapy.

I work closely with my colleagues using a Biopsychosocial approach, looking at the whole person, their experience of pain and how they can be helped to best address the pain they experience.