Helen Damisa

As a therapist and psychologist, my role centres on helping people understand, manage, and improve their mental health, emotional well-being, and behaviour. At the heart of the role is assessment and understanding. I listen carefully to clients’ concerns, ask structured and open-ended questions, and sometimes use standardised psychological tests to build a clear picture of their thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and life circumstances so I can understand the person as a whole. Another key part is formulation and intervention. I work collaboratively with clients to make sense of what’s going on for them and support them in managing a mental health condition. Such as: Identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns Process emotions and past experiences Develop coping strategies Build healthier behaviours and relationships I also provide emotional support and a safe, confidential space. A big part of my role is creating trust, showing empathy, and helping clients feel heard without judgment. I also engage in risk assessment and safeguarding, especially if a client may harm themselves or others. This requires careful judgment and adherence to ethical and legal guidelines.