Adults
Dr Alison McGourty first trained in Criminology, before completing a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at City University, London, and a Postgraduate Diploma in CBT for Psychosis at King’s College London. She has worked extensively within the NHS, including a senior role within National Services at South London and Maudsley (SLaM), where she worked with adults presenting with complex mental health difficulties, alongside experience in private practice. This has given her a grounded, evidence-based approach tailored to each client’s needs.
In the therapy room, Dr McGourty brings a warm and compassionate style. She draws on training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT), Mindfulness-Based Approaches, Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), Psychosis Interventions (including CBTp and Family Intervention for Psychosis), Third-Wave Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, and Trauma-Focused and Trauma-Informed Approaches, with a particular interest in stress and resilience, anxiety, wellbeing at work, and trauma. Most importantly, she adapts what she does to fit the person in front of her.
Dr McGourty puts the person at the heart of the therapy she offers, working with clients in a compassionate and open way to help them realise their goals and overcome what holds them back.
All clinicians at The Chelsea Psychology Clinic are trained to conduct comprehensive assessments, considering you as a whole person rather than a specific issue. They tailor treatment and integrate multiple therapeutic perspectives to create a plan that is both evidence-based and uniquely suited to you.
Dr McGourty works with individuals facing a wide range of challenges, including depression, anxiety, and stress, alongside bereavement, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, career support, childhood sexual abuse, dissociative conditions, emotional distress and dysregulation, health anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, life transitions, OCD, panic disorder, perfectionism, personality disorders, phobias, psychosis, PTSD, sleep difficulties, social anxiety, and burnout, and has specialist experience in trauma, stress, and resilience. She also has experience working with neurodiverse clients.
Alongside her therapy work, Dr McGourty has held academic roles as a visiting lecturer, research supervisor, and examiner, and has a strong research background, having worked on international research trials, presented at international conferences, and published in peer-reviewed academic journals.