Wholehearted

Clinical Psychology

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About Us

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Dr Kim Merrick, Clinical Psychologist

I am a Principal Clinical Psychologist, registered with the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) and a chartered member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

I have over 15 years experience as a psychologist in the NHS mostly working with children and young people, their parents and carers. I am experienced in undertaking assessments and providing interventions to address a wide range of emotional and behavioural concerns.

I am trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches, including but not limited to: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Systemic and Narrative therapies.

In addition to individual therapy, I specialise in supporting parents and carers and provide therapeutic parenting, attachment-based interventions and mentalisation-based support.

I specialise in supporting children who have experienced trauma (particularly developmental trauma) and have undertaken specialist training in the assessment and treatment of trauma. I am proud to say that Wholehearted Clinical Psychology is a trauma-informed service.

I am based in East Sussex, where I am able to meet people in person or if preferred I also offer virtual meetings.

Please click here to see a list of my qualifications and training.

Dr Kim Merrick, Clinical Psychologist

I am a Principal Clinical Psychologist, registered with the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) and a chartered member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

I have over 15 years experience as a psychologist in the NHS mostly working with children and young people, their parents and carers. I am experienced in undertaking assessments and providing interventions to address a wide range of emotional and behavioural concerns.

I am trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches, including but not limited to: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Systemic and Narrative therapies.

In addition to individual therapy, I specialise in supporting parents and carers and provide therapeutic parenting, attachment-based interventions and mentalisation-based support.

I specialise in supporting children who have experienced trauma (particularly developmental trauma) and have undertaken specialist training in the assessment and treatment of trauma. I am proud to say that Wholehearted Clinical Psychology is a trauma-informed service.

I am based in East Sussex, where I am able to meet people in person or if preferred I also offer virtual meetings.

Please click here to see a list of my qualifications and training.

British Psychological society logo
HCPC registered Logo

Testimonials

"I just wanted to say an enormous thank you, my daughter seems to have blossomed so much since seeing you. I know she feels really comfortable and safe with you and she looks forward to your time together."

"My daughter seems much happier now, she seems to have learnt the tools to talk about her emotions more and understand boundaries. Her tummy pain has gone and she's had no more time off school with sickness, which is a massive relief."

"Thank you for a fantastic report Kim. I think this will really help professionals to have a better understanding of the impact that (child)’s situation has had on them, and subsequently they can be provided with tailored support that will meet their needs."

Assessments

Initial Assessment

My journey with you will begin with an initial assessment where I will meet with you to hear about the things you and your child are finding difficult. I will also gather relevant background and developmental information. I will think with you about a way forward, which may include further sessions together, with your child, or signposting you to alternative support and services. Initial assessments will last up to 90 minutes and can take place either at my clinic in East Sussex, a mutually convenient location or online.

Therapeutic Needs Assessment

I specialise in supporting children who are looked after, have been adopted or live with kinship carers (usually under a special guardianship order). In these cases my journey with you will typically begin with a Therapeutic Needs Assessment, which will include reading of documents, interviews with those that know the child well, spending time with the child, observations and psychometrics. You will receive a comprehensive report detailing my psychological understanding of the child’s needs and clear recommendations for therapeutic support.
These assessments are often paid for via the Adoption Support Fund (ASF), which is a government initiative seeking to support children who are adopted or who live with special guardians to access therapeutic support. If you need any support understanding or accessing the ASF please get in touch and we will try to help.

Expert Witness Assessments

As a Clinical Psychologist I am well placed to undertake assessments of children and their parents/families where there are significant safeguarding concerns. Typically these are instructed by the Local Authority on behalf of the Family Court. Please contact me if you would like to discuss this type of assessment.

Therapeutic Interventions

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I can provide support for a wide range of emotional and behavioural concerns including:

- anxiety and panic attacks
- low mood and depression
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stress, including school/exam related stress
- phobias
- loss and grief
- obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- developmental trauma
- attachment and relational difficulties

I am trained in a variety of evidence-based therapies, including CBT, EMDR, CAT and systemic and narrative therapies and I work in an integrative way, drawing upon elements of different therapies as they best suit the individuals and families I am working with.
I also provide parenting support to parents and carers, including therapeutic parenting.
Intervention sessions are 50 minutes duration and can take place either at my clinic in East Sussex, a mutually convenient location or online.
There is also the potential to take therapy sessions outside - "walk and talk" sessions. Please contact me for more information via enquiries@wholeheartedpsychology.co.uk

Consultation, Training and Supervision

Consultation

I provide consultations to professionals and organisations, including local authorities, residential homes and schools. These provide an opportunity to discuss concerns about a child, young person or family, to develop a formulation about these concerns and to think about a way forward. Please contact me to discuss this further.

Training

I provide training and workshops on a variety of topics related to child and family mental health, including but not limited to: trauma, impact of parenting, attachment, adverse childhood experiences, infant mental health and therapeutic parenting. I have delivered training to health and social care professionals, residential homes and have run workshops for kinship carers for many years. Please contact me to discuss this further.

Supervision

I provide supervision to clinical psychologists and other mental health or social care professionals. This can be in person or virtually. Please contact me to discuss this further.

Our Fees

My fees fall within the typical range for an experienced Clinical Psychologist. However, I am passionate about ensuring that psychological services are available to all who need them and would be happy to discuss your individual circumstances with you and will give consideration to offering sessions on a 'pay what you can' basis for those on no/low income/struggling with the current cost of living crisis.

Our Clinic

I hold clinics for face to face meetings in a beautiful therapy room located in Glynde, East Sussex provided by Lewes Country Therapy Rooms
Contact Us: equiries@wholeheartedpsychology.co.uk

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