Dr Debbie Lovell
DPsych, MSocSc, MSc
Harley Street Psychologist and Sex Therapist
Helping with a broad range of psychological difficulties and specialising in sexual difficulties
Dr Debbie Lovell
DPsych, MSocSc, MSc
A little bit about me
I am a chartered psychologist, currently working in-person in central London and globally online. I spent most of my adult life in Hong Kong, where I worked for many years as a therapist in a private medical practice. I have been educated and professionally trained in the UK, USA, Australia, and Hong Kong, which has cultivated an appreciation of diverse perspectives and ‘international mindedness’. I have a pluralistic approach to therapy, integrating a variety of understandings, modalities, and methods, and view clients’ issues through multiple lenses.
I am also one of a small number of chartered psychologists in the UK additionally registered as a clinical sexologist/sex therapist (sometimes called psychosexual therapist). My specialist work in sexual difficulties evolved from my multidisciplinary background, as prior to training and working in ‘talking therapy’ my professional time was spent in exercise and nutrition science.
Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (UWE Bristol, UK)
Masters degree in Counselling (University of South Australia, AUS)
Masters degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science (Chester University, UK)
Bachelors degree (Hons) Psychology major (Leicester University, UK)
Practitioner Psychologist, (Counselling Psychologist) Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC), UK
Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS), UK
Board Certified Sex Therapist, Therapist Certification Association (TCA), USA
Registered Member of the College of Sex and Relationship Therapists (COSRT), UK
Talking therapy
The issues I work with and therapies I use
Areas of Interest
Within the very broad field of therapy, I lean naturally towards working with issues involving the interplay of psychology and biology (and bemoan the mind and body being separated). I have worked extensively with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, pain, disrupted sleep, and eating disturbances alongside issues that frequently co-occur such as low self-esteem and interpersonal/relationship distress..
In my specialist area, I work with sexual difficulties that emerge for individuals and couples such as:
- desire disparity within a relationship
- pain during sex
- sexual interest/arousal and orgasm concerns
- early or delayed ejaculation
- erectile difficulties
- anxiety regarding sexual ‘performance’,
- sexual self esteem
- sexual trauma.
Therapeutic Modalities
I work integratively and may draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, Psychodynamic Therapy , Emotion Focussed Therapy and EMDR. I also have a keen interest in Polyvagal Theory and interpersonal neurobiology.
Where I Do This
I work exclusively in private practice. In-person sessions are available on Tuesdays at 23 Devonshire Place W1G 6BW (adjacent to The London Clinic) and Fridays at 10 Harley Street, London W1G 9PF
Online therapy sessions, from the comfort of your own space via secure video conferencing (Telehealth), are available all day on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
I also work as a consultant and visiting specialist at clinics in Hong Kong.
The ‘how to’ and important practicalities
Making an Appointment
When you contact me, please provide your availability and indicate whether you prefer to work online or in-person. I will then inform you of scheduling possibilities and answer any questions you may have. If we can book an appointment, you will receive an intake form that asks questions about the issue you are bringing and some personal information about you. This background information is useful for our first appointment and can be returned securely through the practice management system I use. Please note that I am the only one who reads your responses.
The initial appointment
The initial session involves us exploring the issues that you sought therapy for, typically known as an assessment. Although an in-depth assessment develops over several sessions, by the end of the first session I aim to have a good enough understanding of your difficulties to make a suggestion of what therapy may look like for you. The initial session is also an opportunity to consider if you feel comfortable working with me.
Number of Sessions
I do both short term/time limited and open ended work. The number of sessions required may depend on the complexity of the issue and the time you want to commit to therapy. Some clients may prefer to do brief highly focussed therapy attending to one specific issue, whilst others prefer a more exploratory approach that attends to issues as they unfold.
Frequency of sessions
I typically see clients once a week at the same time each week. It is common practice that psychological therapy occurs in this way to keep pace and focus. However, I believe in a flexible approach to accommodate different needs. Ad hoc sessions are recommended only after an initial course of therapy.