About Dr Liz Kirkland
My Background
I am a Clinical Psychologist with over 30 years' experience working with adults, children, young people, couples and families.
I worked in the NHS from 1991 to 2013, attaining Consultant Clinical Psychologist level in 2002, before continuing in private practice. Following a career break in France, which included time for study and reflection, I returned to clinical work in 2020. I now offer online and telephone consultations to clients throughout the UK.
My work begins with understanding the individual rather than simply treating a diagnosis or a set of symptoms. Through collaborative psychological assessment and formulation, I explore how difficulties have developed and what may be maintaining them. This provides a basis for deciding together what might help and how best to move forward.
Credentials and qualifications
Qualifications and professional registration
BSc (Hons) Psychology University of Lancaster 1991
Clin Psy D University of Manchester 1995
Certificate in Systemic Practice (therapeutic work with families and groups) University of Birmingham 1997
I am registered with the Health and care professions council (HCPC)
What I can help you with
People seek psychological help for many different reasons. Sometimes they feel overwhelmed by anxiety, low mood or difficult emotions; sometimes they find themselves repeating patterns in relationships or struggling to manage changes in their lives. Others may be concerned about a child or young person, or experiencing difficulties within their family or relationship.
Although diagnostic labels can sometimes be useful in describing difficulties, they rarely tell the whole story. People with apparently similar problems can have very different experiences, histories and circumstances.
My approach is to understand each person in their own context: what has happened in their life, what may have contributed to their current difficulties, and what might be keeping those difficulties going. This individual understanding provides the starting point for finding a way forward.
Below are some of the areas I commonly work with:
Adults
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I work with adults experiencing a wide range of psychological and emotional difficulties, including anxiety, low mood, trauma, relationship difficulties and the challenges of significant life changes.
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My approach is to understand each person's difficulties in the context of their experiences and circumstances, rather than assuming that everyone with similar symptoms needs the same kind of help.
Young adults 18-25
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The transition into adulthood can bring particular challenges, including anxiety, uncertainty about the future, difficulties with relationships, identity and independence, or feeling stuck and unable to move forward.
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I work collaboratively with young adults to understand these difficulties in the context of their experiences, relationships and changing circumstances.
Children & Families
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Children and young people can experience a wide range of emotional, behavioural and developmental difficulties, which may affect their wellbeing, family relationships and everyday life.
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I work with children, young people and parents to understand these difficulties in the context of the child's development, experiences and family circumstances. Depending on their age and needs, consultations may involve parents, children or the family together.
Couples & relationships
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Relationships can become a source of distress when couples find themselves caught in recurring patterns of conflict, misunderstanding or emotional distance.
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I work with couples to explore how these patterns have developed and what may be maintaining them. The aim is to develop a shared understanding of the difficulties and consider together what might help, without assuming that either partner is to blame.
My Approach
Assessment, formulation, intervention and review all in context.
My work begins with a careful assessment of the difficulties that have brought you to seek help. Together, we explore your current circumstances, relevant experiences and relationships, and the factors that may have contributed to your difficulties or may be maintaining them.
From this, we develop a shared psychological formulation — an understanding of how your difficulties have developed, how different aspects of your life may be connected, and what might help you move forward. This is a collaborative process that takes account of your individual strengths, experiences and wider social and cultural context.
For some people, the assessment and formulation process is sufficient to bring greater clarity and identify useful changes. This initial stage typically involves between one and three sessions, usually spread over approximately a month.
Where further therapy would be helpful, we can agree on an approach guided by our shared formulation, reviewing progress and adapting the work as needed.
Sometimes a different service or form of support may be more appropriate. If so, I can discuss the available options with you and help you consider the next steps.
Working online
Help and change
I am based in France and offer online and telephone consultations to clients throughout the UK.
Appointments take place by telephone or video call, using Zoom or WhatsApp, according to what is most appropriate and convenient for you.
Online working offers flexibility and allows you to attend appointments from a familiar setting, without the need to travel. It can also make psychological support more accessible for people whose circumstances make attending a clinic difficult.
To get the most from our sessions, it is important to have a quiet, private space where you feel comfortable speaking openly and are unlikely to be interrupted.
Although online and telephone consultations work well for many people, they are not necessarily suitable for every situation. We can discuss whether this way of working is appropriate for your needs during our initial contact.
Fees and appointments
I offer a free 20-minute introductory telephone call so that we can briefly discuss what you are looking for, answer any initial questions and consider whether an appointment would be appropriate.
My fee is £120 per appointment.
Appointments last approximately one hour and take place by telephone or video call using Zoom or WhatsApp. Longer appointments may be arranged where clinically appropriate, with the duration and fee agreed in advance.
Payment is made in advance by bank transfer or PayPal.
If you are considering an appointment, please get in touch to briefly outline what you are looking for. We can then discuss whether I may be able to help and arrange an initial consultation if appropriate.
Please email me with any questions or to request an appointment or alternatively complete the form below.
