Now accepting new clients

UK based clinical psychology service specialised in working with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

Offering psychological support for people diagnosed with FND and education/training for families and supporters of those with FND

Working holistically to help make sense of difficulties, reduce the negative impact of health issues and improve quality of life

The FND Psychologist

Dr Josephine Scott, or Jose, is a highly skilled Clinical Psychologist, based in the East of England, with over 20 years experience of working with people who are experiencing a range of emotional and physical health difficulties. She is a specialist in working with FND and is passionate about helping people to understand that what happens to us, affects us - our bodies as well as our minds. Central to her therapeutic work is creating a safe space in which you can collaboratively explore barriers to a valued and meaningful life.

Services Offered

  • Individual Therapy

    Working with you to explore your difficulties and addressing barriers to a meaningful and valued life

  • Training and Consultation

    Working with organisations and professionals to enhance the understanding of those who support people with FND

What is FND?

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) describes a problem in the signalling between your brain and body. It is usually diagnosed by a neurologist and it can take many years to receive a diagnosis.

FND symptoms might look like any one or a combination of:

  • Altered sensation or sensory abilities; for example, visual difficulties

  • Nonepileptic seizures or attacks, sometimes called dissociative seizures

  • Dysfunction or weakness in your limbs; for example, problems walking or even moving your legs

  • Cognitive problems such as memory difficulties

  • Speech or swallowing difficulties

These symptoms can create havoc and cause significant disruption to all areas of a person’s life.

FND symptoms are separate to chronic pain and chronic fatigue, but people diagnosed with FND frequently also experience these problems.

FND: A disorder of mind and body

Is it all in my head?

You may well have experienced feeling dismissed by health professionals or perhaps people close to you, who may have said “it’s all in your head”. Our NHS health system separates physical and mental health, when the reality is they are interconnected. Everything that happens to us, affects us - our brains and programming – the ‘mind’, if you like – and our bodies and physiology.

So, is it all in your head? No, it’s in your head and body; but let’s make one thing very clear - FND symptoms are REAL.

FND and Trauma

You may have heard conflicting opinions about the relationship between FND and trauma. Research shows 40-60% of participants with FND reported having experienced a traumatic event, which means 40-60% did not report any trauma but still developed FND. How you define the word ‘trauma’ is key though: most people think of trauma as experiencing a life-threatening event, or something like being abused or assaulted. But, what about traumas like being bullied, having to grow up with angry or mentally unwell parents, or coping with chronic illness?

Again, it can’t be overstated that, what happens to us, affects us.

In my clinical experience, many people who develop FND symptoms, do so after a build up of stressful events, whether that’s over a short period of time or many years.

What does working with a psychologist involve?

Initial Assessment

Firstly, the psychologist will meet with you for an assessment session. This can be either virtual or in person, dependent on your circumstances and preferences. The psychologist may also visit you at your home.

This assessment serves two purposes:

  1. You can describe your current difficulties and discuss with the psychologist what might be a helpful focus for therapy, and

  2. You can get a feel for whether this is the right therapist for you. It is important you feel comfortable with your therapist as they will be helping you to explore some difficult issues.

After this assessment session, the psychologist will discuss the next steps with you and a therapy plan will be agreed if you decide to move forwards with therapy.

Undergoing psychological therapy is not an easy option, and to get the most out of it, you will need to be willing to explore your thoughts and feelings about your situation.

How long does it take?

Each therapy session lasts around an hour, although the assessment session can be longer, dependent on need and by prior agreement.

How many therapy sessions you might need is dependent on lots of factors, but it is helpful to consider how you might be able to tell that therapy is helping, and to check-in with the psychologist regularly about how you are finding the experience of therapy. People can find it helpful to work on one issue and then take a break from therapy, coming back to it at a later date if they need to.

It can be especially important that loved ones understand what is happening in FND and the psychologist may work with couples or families to provide this education if you decide together that this is helpful.

How much does it cost?

Individual therapy is £115 per hour for virtual sessions and any additional costs for in-person sessions are agreed in advance.

Training and consultation fees are provided upon enquiry.