Mental health doesn't feel like a taboo subject anymore, yet despite this more people than ever are experiencing mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety and stress.
Recent statistics show that about 1 in 4 adults in England will experience a mental-health problem in any given year.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, Dr Anne Drouet-Groff is on hand to help and support you with a wide range of issues, from anxiety to OCD to depression.
A highly experienced French psychiatrist, Dr Anne Drouet-Groff has been practicing in London for more than 23 years, and uses her expertise and compassion to identify and manage the challenges you face. She takes a holistic approach, combining medical expertise, psychological insight and lifestyle guidance to understand your symptoms, and to create a personalised plan for helping you to manage your mental health.
Mental health problems, especially if they are long-lasting (chronic), can be debilitating and affect your general health. Your body may respond physically to depression or anxiety much like it does to physical illness. Mental health problems can also be caused by a physical condition.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and will check for physical problems which could be affecting your mental health. Some GPs have an interest in more common mental health problems and may be able to help you without referral, or they will help you decide on the right mental health professional, and also the type of therapy that might be most appropriate for you.
Although a GP will often be able to signpost you to mental health support, you may not want to speak to your doctor if you are experiencing mental health difficulties. If you decide to approach a professional directly (self-refer), it’s important to remember that most private medical health insurance policies require you to be referred by your GP to a psychiatrist for you to be able to claim. Either way, ideally you should have a thorough assessment by an experienced mental health professional, who will be able to advise you and help you choose the right therapy.
Finding the right therapist and the right approach to therapy is important. Whether you are planning to see a psychologist or a psychiatrist, you should start with a phone call. Ask about their approach to dealing with mental health issues and how they generally work with patients. You could explain your reasons for wanting to make an appointment and ask whether the psychologist or psychiatrist is experienced in dealing with your particular concerns. If, after your initial call, you do not think the professional you spoke with is a good fit for you, our advice is to look elsewhere.
It may take several weeks before you become fully comfortable with your therapist. If you still aren't feeling comfortable after two or three visits, it’s a good idea to share your concerns, and explain why you feel that way. A good mental health professional will listen, and want to take on board what you’re saying; it may be that the two of you can work together to tweak the format of your sessions, or explore new ways of addressing certain topics, so you can get the most out of your treatment.
Psychiatry deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental health conditions. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have gone on to specialise in psychiatry. Unlike psychologists, they can prescribe medication as well as recommend other forms of treatment.
Psychiatrists deal with problems such as anxiety, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), personality disorders, schizophrenia and paranoia, depression and bipolar disorder (manic depression) plus eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.
Common medications for a range of conditions can include antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and occasionally a short course of benzodiazepines (for the relief of anxiety). If you are under the care of a psychiatrist, a lot of your treatment may be focused on medication management. However, medication is often combined with other types of therapy. If so, your psychiatrist may provide your psychotherapy, or refer you to a counsellor or other type of mental health professional.
Psychology is the science of mind and behaviour. A psychologist has a Doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) or Master's degree in Psychology. Psychologists are qualified to provide counseling and psychotherapy. Psychology is often used either alone or in combination with medication.
Although the terms ‘counselling’ and ‘therapy’ (short for psychotherapy) are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between psychotherapy and psychological counselling. Counselling focuses on specific issues and is designed to help you address a particular problem, such as addiction or stress management. The focus may be on problem-solving or on learning specific techniques for coping with or avoiding problem areas. Counselling is also usually more short-term than therapy.
Psychotherapy focuses on a broader range of issues. The goal is to uncover patterns of thinking and to become aware of their effect and then learn new, healthier ways to think and interact.
There are numerous approaches to psychotherapy, also called "talk therapy", and finding your way through the maze of therapies can be confusing.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): Cognitive behavioural therapy trains you to question and control troubling and repetitive thoughts. For example, self-hating thoughts and behaviour, or irrational fears. It can be very helpful for anxiety and depression.
It can also be used for phobias and OCD. Your therapist will show you how to face your fears, for example of open spaces, social situations or insects, bit by bit. They may also be able to help you if you have problems like an irrational compulsion to wash your hands or to check things over and over again. Your therapist will help you gradually stop these activities and will support and reassure you while you face the anxiety this change will create.
CBT does not look at what caused the troubling behaviour and thoughts, but at ways to move forward and overcome your problems. It works with the immediate conscious problem in a common sense and supportive way. It aims to train you to think and feel differently. Sessions have a clear plan and structure and you are usually given homework to do in between. Typically, the treatment doesn't last more than a few months, although your therapist will often offer you follow-up support.
Whatever form of therapy you choose, it is always important to ensure that your therapist is qualified and registered. The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a large psychotherapy registering body which covers a broad range of different organisations and categories of psychotherapy. All members are required to meet the minimum standards of training for their particular approach.
The British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) is a specialist offshoot of the UKCP, whose members are required to undertake longer, more intensive training including personal psychoanalysis.
These two umbrella bodies require their member organisations to follow disciplinary procedures, ethical codes of practice and requirements for Continuing Professional Development. While membership of the UKCP or BPC can prove to be a useful guide when looking for a therapist, an additional personal recommendation is invaluable.
Our private psychiatrists in London are experts in their field, and members of the relevant regulatory body. As always, the web offers so much useful information, including a group of websites which you may find useful:
If you are experiencing mental health issues that are affecting your life, our specialists are here to support you. To find out more about therapy at our private London clinic, please call 020 7244 4200, or you can make an appointment online.
Incredibly accommodating for a last minute appointment, going above and beyond with her time, thorough and detailed assessment with efficient and thoughtful feedback. Could not recommend more highly.
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Regarding my experience, it was excellent from the beginning – when I contacted the clinic, they answered immediately and sent me the email with all my information to give, and I got back my appointment date and time, no hassle. I went and met my amazing doctor, who was so understanding and helped me with my problems. It went very well, thank you.
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