Shining a light on our amazing therapists for Psychological Professions Week
It's Psychological Professions Week (13-17 November 2023) and we're taking a moment to recognise and celebrate the exceptional contributions of our amazing therapists at NHS Berkshire Talking Therapies.
This psychology-led service offers crucial mental health support to the Berkshire community, providing short courses of therapy to over 20,000 Berkshire residents every year for common problems such as low mood, anxiety and stress.
We sat down with five of the NHS Talking Therapies team to gain insight into their experiences, motivations and what they love most about their jobs.
Here’s what they had to say:
"I realised I could do anything I put my mind to"
Dr Alison Salvadori, Head of Service and Consultant Clinical Psychologist
What's your educational background?
I was a Registered General Nurse in Intensive Care and always regretted not getting my A-levels. So I got into further education in my early thirties when I started studying for my first degree with the Open University. I completed a BSc (Hons) in Psychology (first class!), MSc in Health Psychology, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology consecutively over a 10-year period.
What inspired you to take on a career in psychology?
I struggled with poor mental health in my twenties and got into personal development courses, one of which culminated in a fire walk – this made me realise I could do anything that I put my mind to! What I learnt on these courses helped me to improve my mental health and build up my confidence, and I decided I wanted to become a psychologist and help other people change their lives. Going to ‘regular university’ wasn’t an option as I didn’t have the necessary qualifications – hence the Open University which I did in my spare time whilst nursing.
What do you love most about your job?
The combination of working with patients to improve their mental health (as per my initial goal), plus working with a brilliant team to manage a service which aims to improve the mental health and well-being of the whole of Berkshire.
"Being part of my client’s journey to self-discovery and improvement is rewarding"
Shama, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and Trainee Interpersonal Therapy Therapist
What's your educational background?
I studied a degree in Psychology and after that went on to do a masters Cognitive Rehabilitation, and a postgraduate diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
What inspired you to take on a career in psychology?
I have a strong passion for research and a fascination with the human mind. My compassion to help people ultimately led me to where I am today.
What do you love most about your job?
I love that I am pursuing my dream. Being able to be a part of my client’s journey to self-discovery and improvement is most fulfilling and rewarding. It is also a journey of personal growth for me both in my professional and personal life. It’s a beautiful vocation.
"I always wanted to help people. Spending four years working with offenders inspired me more"
Abigayle, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist
What's your educational background?
I did a BSc in Psychology, and then I did a MSc in Forensic Psychology, both at Portsmouth University. I did a lot of support work, domestic abuse support, care work and then started working in a male prison in 2017. I worked here for four years doing two different roles, first in resettlement and then in psychological interventions, both group and one-on-one. This led me to then train as a CBT therapist with the NHS.
What inspired you to take on a career in Psychology?
I knew I wanted to work in the field from the age of about fifteen. I always wanted to help people and my first job related to this was care work at age nineteen alongside my first degree. This was really rewarding, and I started gaining more experience throughout degree whether it be volunteering or paid roles. Doing my masters and spending four years working with offenders inspired me even more, and training as a therapist became what I knew I wanted to do.
What do you love most about what you do?
I love seeing the change in people, from feeling like there is nothing to look forward to, to believing in themselves and being able to look positively towards the future. Seeing people who have dealt with the effects of trauma for so long, finally processing those memories and updating them, working towards reclaiming their lives.
"I feel privileged to hear people's stories and be able to help them"
Chloe, Trainee High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist
What's your educational background?
I studied a BSc in Psychology and then MSc Applied Psychology Mental Health and Psychological Therapies. I went on to do a Postgraduate Certificate in Low Intensity Psychological Interventions – Psychological. I then did the Wellbeing Practitioners Training (PWP) NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression.
What inspired you to take on a career Psychology?
Psychology is varied and has lots of areas you can explore during your career. I was inspired to take on a career in Psychology to learn more about the human brain and mind. In addition, I was inspired by the work of health care professionals, working with clients, and seeing how psychological support can be helpful for many people.
What do you love most about what you do?
I love working with a variety of clients, each with their own unique experiences and perspectives. I feel privileged to be able to hear their stories and support them with their mental health.
"There is no limit to learning, improving, growing, and collaborating in my role"
James, Psychotherapist in Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, Cultural and Ethnic Diversity Lead for West Berkshire.
What's your educational background?
I started in Sierra Leone by getting a higher teacher’s certificate and then a BSc in Agricultural Education. When studying in the UK, I got a Higher Education Certificate in Learning Disability Nursing and then a Mental Health Nursing degree.
I wanted to further my studies so I completed a postgraduate diploma in Cognitive Analytic Therapy, and then in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). I achieved a certificate in Long Term Conditions treatment with CBT and I am currently doing a Masters at the University of Exeter focussed on practice and research.
What inspired you to take on a career in psychology?
My inspiration stemmed from personal trauma. My father was shot dead by a fourteen-year-old rebel during the civil war that lasted over a decade in my country of origin, Sierra Leone. I was searching for healing, reconciliation and to rebuild my capacity again. I wanted to find a reason to forgive the person that killed my father and relieve myself from the burden of unforgiveness. When working with the Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team as a clinical team lead, I convinced myself that I would be a fine therapist and so I resigned from my role and took up a role as a trainee high intensity CBT therapist within NHS Talking Therapies five years ago.
What do you love most about your job?
Reaching out in the local community and collaborating with other professionals to jointly understand barriers to accessing mental health care. I love the engagement amongst the ethnically diverse population we represent, “the power to join the dots”. There is no limit to learning, improving, growing, and collaborating in my role.
Seeing my clients make painful choices with my guidance to change the things that keep them stuck in situations they don’t belong in is a great feeling. Equally, when clients from a diverse background enter the room full of opportunities that empower them and help them meet their unmet health needs fills me with limitless satisfaction.
Find out more
Visit the NHS Berkshire Talking Therapies website to find out more about the service or refer yourself for support (opens in new browser tab)
Find out more about opportunities to work with NHS Berkshire Talking Therapies in our Trust (opens in new browser tab)