Dr Maddy Loat, AFBPsS

BA, BSc, PGDip, DClinPsy, Group Analyst

Maddy is a Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist and Group Analyst with over 25 years' experience working in the NHS and in private practice. Maddy is also a Training Group Analyst meaning she is qualified to provide therapy to Group Analysts in training. Alongside this she provides clinical supervision to other therapists and has previously worked as a university lecturer and tutor on various clinical psychology and psychotherapy trainings. She is an Associate Fellow and chartered member of the British Psychological Society (BPS), and is a full clinical member of the Institute of Group Analysis (IGA), the Group Analytic Society International (GASI), the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

Maddy is based at our London practice where she works with individuals, couples and groups. A highly experienced clinician, she has worked across an extensive range of areas within the field of mental health. These experiences have left her with a strong belief that all mental health problems can be understood and worked with, no matter how confusing and distressing they may feel, so that those seeking help are able to move forward in a way that feels authentic and empowering. She has trained in a number of different therapeutic modalities and works from a psychoanalytic and group analytic perspective.

Early on in her career, Maddy developed a special interest in the therapeutic potential of groups, specifically the way they can improve mental health and redress experiences of isolation, alienation and dislocation which are increasingly common in our current times. She conducts a twice-weekly analytic group at our London practice which takes place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. This type of group can help with a variety of problems including excessive anxiety, depression, loss, trauma, work related stress, poor self-esteem and relationship difficulties. Alongside this it prepares us for the reciprocal nature of social living, giving us a new way of understanding ourselves in relation to others. The experience of belonging to a group over time, developing an ability to be authentically oneself with others, can in itself be healing.

Maddy is the author of ‘Mutual Support and Mental Health: A Route to Recovery’ (JKP: 2011) and has published in various leading academic journals.