Dr Debbie Lovell

I am a practitioner psychologist, currently working on Harley Street in London and 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 viewing clients' issues through multiple lenses. 

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 therefore worked extensively with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, pain, disrupted sleep, eating disturbances and sexual difficulties alongside issues that frequently co-occur such as low self esteem and interpersonal distress.. 

More recently, after moving back to the UK, I have been working with Hong Kongers who are either visiting for study or have relocated permanently. This adds to the work I have done for many years with clients for whom my own lived experience and understanding of Hong Kong culture and way of life is essential in addressing their individual issues. Additionally, I continue to work as a consultant and visiting specialist at clinics in Hong Kong. 

Specialist Interest - Sexual Difficulties/Sex Therapy
I am a board certified sex therapist (clinical sexologist or sometimes also called psychosexual therapist) and 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.  

My doctoral research was in men's experience of their female partner's sexual pain.

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 Solution Focussed Therapy. I also have a keen interest in Polyvagal Theory and interpersonal neurobiology.