Patrick Lawson

Experienced Counselling Psychologist with a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and solid expertise in health and social care. Specialises in psychological assessment, psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy while ensuring patient confidentiality and advocating for mental health. Skilled in therapeutic rapport building and trauma-informed care, with a focus on geriatric mental health and substance abuse intervention. Committed to advancing evidence-based practices and contributing to psychological research.

Published peer reviewed paper in Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. "WRITING YOUR WAY TO WELLBEING : AN IPA ANALYSIS OF THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF CREATIVE WRITING ON MENTAL HEALTH AND THE PROCESSING OF EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTIES." (2021)

• Gordon, Parker, Team Lead, gordon.parker@nhs.scot, 01397707456, Soroba Road, Oban, Argyll, PA34 4JA
• Ishbel, Dumughn, Clinical Psychologist, ishbel.dumughn@nhs.scot, 01397 707456, Soroba Road, Oban, Argyll, PA34 4JA

• I am currently employed by the NHS and want to continue to work for the NHS because I believe in the values and principles that underpin a health strategy accessible to all at the point of need. The key values of respect and dignity for patients, equality of access and treatment, compassion, dedication to the quality of care, and the development of policies and practice to improve the health of communities, are the values that are personally important to me in my work. Support for NHS staff is crucial in making these aims a reality, and I would welcome the opportunity to work within an innovative initiative that supports both patients and staff and looks at health and wellbeing holistically.
• I would relish the challenge of working in a forward-thinking health board within Scotland, helping to make a difference to both staff and patients. I have long believed in the establishment of critical care for mental health, a system that is flexible and compassionate enough to respond to emergency situations. Good, person-centred listening skills and empathy are important, and my career background illustrates my commitment to those values: all the jobs I have undertaken in my life have been in the caring professions.
• The NHS sets out clear and appropriate pathways for different levels of treatment, using stepped care and the Matrix, and I believe strongly in the current policy emphasis on equalising physical and mental health services with a greater level of integration in health and social care services, as outlined in Scotland's ten-year national strategy. As someone who has worked in both social care and health, I believe I am in a good position to understand and deliver government strategies in this area and I understand the ways in which personal and social circumstances impact on both physical and mental wellbeing. I am interested in all initiatives that represent an understanding of the importance of personal wellbeing to both healthy living and professional efficiency.
• I have been involved in research in the last year, looking at the therapeutic effects of creative writing in processing trauma, and I recognise that the NHS offers the opportunity to be involved in cutting edge research and development within an ethical framework. I believe in the fundamental human right to good health care, to offering the best possible practice and treatment to all patients no matter their circumstances, and the NHS offers a unique opportunity for me to contribute to that, both personally and professionally.
• As a practising psychologist I take my role seriously in whatever capacity this is in, by communicating clearly, professionally, and empathically with patients, their relatives and carers, and have done so in a wide range of distressing, emotive and hostile circumstances. This has involved imparting sensitive and highly complex clinical information relating to the development and prognosis of an individual's psychopathology. My overall experience has given me a unique set of skills that make me well suited to this psychology position, particularly my background in adult mental health and the various developmental courses in EMDR, safety and stabilisation, mentalisation, compassionate focused therapy and various other modalities in clinical care, pastoral settings and working as a team player in Community Mental Health Teams.
• I communicate clinically relevant information in a clear and professional manner to referring agents and colleagues, both verbally and in written form, and ensure that appropriate notes are properly recorded, and stored in accordance with safe record keeping and BPS guidelines. I consider myself experienced and skilled in developing a therapeutic alliance with patients whilst maintaining a professional and ethical standing. Important to this, would be the use of adequate and appropriate supervisory arrangements. Along with this, I am obliged to maintain professional accreditation and CPD as per current professional guidelines.
• It is also imperative as a professional practitioner and team player, that I develop and maintain good relationships with third sector, voluntary and carer organisations, supporting adults with mental health difficulties within the community.

Motivational Interviewing

Mentalisation

EMDR qualification

Compassion Focused Therapy

Safety and Stabilisation

Supervision qualification