My background
As a chartered psychologist and EMDR Practitioner, I studied for a number of years to become well qualified in working together with people who seek therapeutic support. My journey to becoming a psychotherapist has been long and eclectic. It has involved me working in the NHS for 6 years in A&E and in a large London teaching hospital. My experience as a psychologist spans almost two decades including studying in the UK and abroad. Post studies, I have been working with children & teens (at home, school and online) and with adults and couples. In 2003, I established my own clinical practice, providing psychology services across three counties (Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire): services are mostly online via VSee or Zoom, with some limited availability for 'in-person sessions'.
How can you refer?
I accept referrals from individuals, from parents, from local GP’s and from school staff (state and independent schools). As an occupational psychologist, I specialise in working with work-related (and other) traumas. This work leads me accept referrals from the Police, MOD (veterans and active service personnel) and HM Prison Officers. As a recognised psychologist I also accept a limited number of referrals through BUPA, Walking With The Wounded and others..
What types of therapy do I offer?
CBT – I provide Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for individuals (adults, teens or children). In a nutshell, CBT is a talking therapy that involves strategic, goal-oriented exploration of problems and disorders. Where appropriate, parents of children and teenagers in treatment, are offered a ‘family approach’. This can involve providing ‘parent support sessions’ as part of your child/children’s treatment.
Walking Sessions – I now offer the possibility of walking sessions, where appropriate.
EMDR – I provide Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing therapy. In a nutshell, EMDR is a specialist treatment that is used to treat serious stress-related conditions such as PTSD, C-PTSD and traumas (from childhood or adulthood). It involves reprogramming certain thoughts, feelings and images (related to the trauma/s), thereby, helping to release or clear them from your mind, so that you can begin to function well again.
What kinds of issues do I work with?
- Abuse (physical, psychological, emotional)
- Affairs and Betrayals
- Anger issues
- Anxiety
- Bereavement
- Bullying
- Career
- Covid-related changes
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Low Self-Confidence
- Low Self-Esteem
- Pain
- Panic Attacks
- Relationship Issues
- Self-Harm
- Separation and Divorce
- Sexuality
- Stress
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Work Related Issues
My approach
My particular therapeutic approach is person centred and solution-focused. With all my work I go at your pace. I am neither pushy nor prescriptive, but I will regularly make recommendations that you can try outside your therapy space. My work is also brief-focused which means I am able to use as many or as few sessions as possible, to help guide you through your problems or situations. It is my experience that most people do not want to be ‘in therapy’ for a long time, so my work with you is likely to take between 6 and 16 sessions. Through all my work, I use mindfulness techniques which help you to de-stress and relax your mind, so that you can lead a better quality of life. When treating children (under 18 yrs), I also offer a 'family approach'. This includes offering Parent Support session/s to any parent/s/guardians not attending sessions with their child/ren. These sessions are designed to offer support for parents/guardians and centre around offering parenting support and advice.
CPD
All regulated qualified psychotherapists must engage in regular CPD (continuing professional development). Below is a list of relevant training's I have undertaken in order to expand this part of my clinical practice.
Equine-assisted Psychotherapy EAGALA Workshop, (2006)
Report Writing for the Courts, Soc. Expert Witnesses, (2007)
Therapists & the Courts, BACP Workshop, (2007)
Working Group on Guidelines for Expert Witnesses, BPS (May 2008)
Sleep Disorders, Jet Lag: does CBT have an answer, BPS (May 2008)
Bowlby Lecture, ‘Attachment’ BACP (Feb. 2009)
Adult Survivors of Abuse BACP (March 2009)
SEW Workshop ‘Giving Oral Evidence’ (Apr. 2009)
Counselling & The Law BACP (May 2009)
Broadcasting Media Skills Workshop BPS, (Dec. 2009)
Expert Witness: Presenting Courtroom Evidence (Level 3), BPS (May 2010)
Inset: Practical Application of Risk Assessment, King’s School Bruton (Sept. 2010)
Child Protection Basic Training, King’s School Bruton (Nov. 2010)
Career In Psychology Conference, Solent University, Guest Speaker (Nov. 2010)
Eating Disorders Training Workshop, Wimbledon Guild (March 2011)
EMDR, Part 1 (Richman EMDR) (Nov. 23-25, 2011)
EMDR, Part II (Richman EMDR), (Feb. 24. 2012)
Self-harm, self care & the way between Salisbury CPD, (March 2013)
EMDR, Part III (Richman EMDR), (March 2013)
Working Therapeutically with Children British Psychological Society (Sept. 2013)
Networking Day for Counsellors/Therapists Working in Schools BACP (Mar. 2014)
EMDR for Children & Adolescents, Part I, London, (Nov. 2014)
Using EMDR with Veterans and Military Clients, London, (Dec. 2014)
EMDR for Children & Adolescents, Part II, London, (Dec. 2015)
Understanding Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Winchester, (April 2016)
Meeting Partner’s Needs Couples Therapy), Somerset, (Nov. 12th- 13th 2016)
Feel-State Addiction Protocol Workshop, Robert Miller, London (Nov. 18-19, 2017)
EMDR Association UK & Ireland Conference, London (Mar. 23rd - Mar. 24th, 2018)
The Flash Technique: Making intense trauma memories more accessible for EMDR processing, London (Oct. 19th, 2018)
Brush Up Your EMDR Skills & Practice, Sandi Richman, Bristol, (Jan. 26th 2019)
Wellbeing Conference, Summer Fields School, Oxford (Feb. 12th 2019)
Public Policy Exchange, London: Speaker, EMDR Therapy: Jack's Story, (Feb. 28th, 2019)
Flash Technique (Advanced), Phil Manfield (online webinar), (Oct. 5th, 2019)
Working with Addictions and Suicidality Using EMDR, Simon Proudlock, Poole, (March 14th, 2020)
EMDR with Children and Adolescents (online), Naomi Fisher (Apr. 2nd,2020)
I-GTEP, online training in mass crisis situation (online), Shiraz Ferrand (Apr. 18th, 2020)
Self-care Procedures for Coronavirus – therapist training (online), Gary Quinn (Apr. 20th, 2020)
EMDR: Exploring Inter-generational trauma (online), Mark Brayne, (Apr. 25th, 2020)
Conference on Addiction and Dissociation (online), Phil Andrews, (Oct. 31st, 2020)
Division of Occupational Psychology (BPS) Conference (online), (January 7th and 8th, 2021)
..ongoing..
People said:
"All I can say is that it was an incredible journey I went through, with Carie's help, and with strength and determination I achieved my goal of getting better and exceeded my expectations" [Male 50's, EMDR, 2022]
"Dr Schuster had helped me tackle my depression and anxieties, and take back control of my life in so many areas. I am immensely grateful for the compassionate help and the insights I have gained" [Male, 33yrs, EMDR, 2018]
"The EMDR therapy, visualisations, meditations and advice received was excellent..and not only resulted in the flashbacks being cleared up but also in clearing decades of nightmares, bruxism and sleep thrashing/lashing out" [Male, 60yrs, online-EMDR, 2020]
“Very helpful as part of my journey moving on from cancer” [Female, 56yrs, EMDR, 2018]
“Carie has spent time really trying to help me unpack some of the issues that affected me. Her patience, kindness and empathy have helped me beyond anything I expected” [Female, 55yrs, EMDR, 2017]
“I felt extremely comfortable talking & sharing my thoughts with Carie” [Female, 18yrs, EMDR, 2015]
“Your intervention has ‘re-set’ our son and he is moving forward with greater belief in his capacity to cope – thank you” [Male, 9yrs, EMDR, 2017]
“Caroline (Carie) has a gift for listening and empathising with her clients” [Male, 53yrs, CBT, 2007]
“I found my therapist to be extremely welcoming and reassuring” [Female, 47yrs, EMDR, 2017]
“Your help has been invaluable – you have enabled us (as parents) to understand and cope …you have had a lasting effect on our daughter’s approach to challenging situations, thank you” [Female, 8 yrs, CBT, 2004]
“It helped me be the driver I was before my accident” [Female, 41yrs, EMDR, 2016]
“The best thing was being able to feel at ease and that I was receiving the right care” [Male, 33yrs, EMDR, 2015]
“I liked the way you understood why I was upset” [Female, 14yrs, CBT, 2006]
