Samuel Waumsley

Clinical Psychologist

I am a registered clinical psychologist in Observatory specialising in psychotherapy. I use an existential therapy understanding of psychology, with psychodynamic, cognitive and relational therapy perspectives in my practice. In sessions I want to consider centrally how my patient feels in life, in themselves, their sense of things, the experience they carry. Thinking through matters in therapy together can be useful and the process can be strengthening. By becoming more conscious of our own perspective, our intuition, impressions, thoughts and values, we can work towards finding authentic personal reflection, and useful direction in our lives. Congruence in ourselves psychologically is an essential yardstick. In therapy we work to find clarity and consciousness in ourselves.

Self-esteem is like a lens through which we see and operate in the world. Our sense of self is crucial, informing our day to day feeling and functioning. Seeking confidence is perhaps a useless task; searching for authenticity in ourselves, however, is a clearer goal, and practiced consciousness in and of ourselves can slowly work to quell anxiety and depression.

I work with patients in these steps:

1. Address the core reason for referral.
2. Understand the key mechanisms and contexts underpinning their symptoms.
3. Work to build a sound sense of understanding and positioning around core issues and reflexes of the self.
4. Maintenance and trouble-shooting as we meet to check progress and address key challenges.
5. Acknowledgment of progress and difficulties, philosophical questions, personal reflections.

 

HPCSA number: PS0111686
Practice number: 0447293