Sharna first graduated from Aston University in 1996 with an Honours Degree in Psychology and went on to complete a Masters Degree in Health Psychology at Coventry University.  Sharna then undertook a 3 year Doctorate to train as a Clinical Psychologist at the University of Birmingham.

Working in both the NHS and Private Practice Sharna and has over 12 years of experience of treating people with a wide variety of psychological, emotional and behavioural difficulties.  She is trained in a variety of psychological therapies and approaches and specialise in schema focused therapy, interpersonal therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy.

Sharna is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with the British Psychological Society, a member of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy and a registered member of the Health Professionals Council.

For further information on Psychological Therapies, or if you would like to discuss the course of treatment that might suit your particular issue,  please contact the Solihull Clinic on 0121 705 3509 and we will arrange a suitable time for Sharna to call you.  Alternatively you can contact Sharna directly via email on dovehousetherapy@hotmail.com

Sharna Lewis

BSC Hons, Msc, DClinpsy, CPsychol.

Chartered Clinical Psychologist

Psychological therapy can help you to deal with many of life’s challenges.  Psychological Therapy can help with anxiety, fears & phobias, panic attacks, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post traumatic stress (PTSD), anger management, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, trauma / abuse, addictions, self-harm, eating disorders and adjustment disorders

A Clinical Psychologist has a degree in Psychology and has undertaken a further three year Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. Clinical Psychologists are trained in a variety of different psychological therapies and approaches. This allows them to be flexible and tailor interventions to particular individual’s needs and difficulties.

What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, a short-term psychological treatment (6 – 24 sessions) that has been proven to be an effective way of helping people cope with a range of emotional and behavioural problems.

The benefits of cognitive behaviour therapy are well researched. This type of therapy suits individuals with all sorts of difficulties including depression, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder and eating disorders.  For many individuals it has been found to be more helpful than any other kind of treatment, including antidepressants.

CBT is based on the belief that people develop unhelpful ways of thinking over a long period of time that leads to problematic feelings and behaviour. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is a combination of cognitive therapy that helps with thinking processes (such as negative thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs) and behavioural therapy that focuses on behaviour in response to those thoughts.

Using a set of structured techniques, the CBT Psychologist will help you  to challenge negative thinking, and promote positive coping strategies. CBT is a collaborative approach and the therapist and client work together to achieve a set of identified goals.

Mrs J.H. sought help with anxiety and panic attacks

“I had tasks to complete in-between sessions and diary writing helped to reveal the pattern of my thinking, difficulties and behaviour. It hasn’t been easy because CBT requires commitment, cooperation and hard work if you are going to make the changes you need. I have learnt so much about myself and I have been able to apply the techniques I learned to other day-to-day situations”.

Mr. R.H. sought treatment to help him come to terms with permanent scarring as a result of an injury.

“CBT has enabled me to cope better with my situation before it was too late or before the problem got worse. It helped me to understand why I was thinking, feeling and behaving the way I was. The mental and physical suffering I endured by the scarring gave me low self-esteem, low self confidence, and negative self image. CBT could not change my situation but it certainly helped me to cope better, changed my negative thinking, and helped me feel better about myself and my circumstance.”

What is Interpersonal Psychotherapy?

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is used to treat depression and focuses on interpersonal relationships.  IPT is based on the belief that our relationships with other people may contribute heavily to psychological factors.  It is generally practiced as a brief form of therapy and usually runs from 12 to 16 one hour weekly sessions. The approach is concerned with reducing the symptoms of depression and improving the client’s interaction with others.  

What is Schema focused therapy?

Schema Therapy is a medium-long term therapy (3 months – 2 years) and is commonly used to treat people with more complex problems.  Schema Therapy is based upon CBT, but it is focused much more on early childhood experiences which have caused lifelong difficulties.  Assessment includes the use of questionnaires to identify the individual's schemas and coping styles  enabling the client to understand and develop an ability to change their unhelpful thinking styles and patterns of behaviour.  

Who is a Clinical Psychologist?

What to expect

You may be initially unsure if Psychological Therapy is for you.  At the end of an initial consultation with your Psychologist you will decide together what approach is right for you.  You will then discuss the number and frequency of sessions.