About Me
My name is Dr Abrar Hussain, I'm a Consultant Psychiatrist specialising in General Adult Psychiatry and Liaison Psychiatry (interface between psychological and physical health).
My areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, traumatic stress, personality disorders, functional neurological disorders and psychosomatic disorders. I also run a specialist service in the NHS for functional neurological disorders.
I completed my medical training in 2003 in Chennai, India as a gold medallist and completed my postgraduate training in Psychiatry in London. I was awarded membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2009. I'm on the General Medical Council Specialist Register. I have been the recipient of several Clinical Excellence Awards recognising my clinical expertise and contribution towards the delivery of safe high-quality care. In 2023, I was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists as a mark of distinction and recognition of contributions to psychiatry.
I believe in a holistic approach using a combination of pharmacological and psychological interventions. I'm accredited in Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), a type of collaborative therapy based on exploring relationship patterns. I'm also an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy is a powerful approach for traumatic memories.
I have published my work in scientific journals and presented at national and international conferences as well as delivered oral and poster presentations and won prizes for my work. I am invited on a regular basis to deliver talks to clinicians and trainees.
As a trauma informed psychiatrist, I know how important it is to understand your difficulties within the context of your ‘template’ and I believe that trust and collaboration need a safe space to develop. My approach is based on compassion, empowerment and respect in order to foster recovery and healing.
Apart from my clinical work, I am actively involved in a number of other areas; I am a qualified mentor and am active in clinical teaching. I also provide post graduate training to psychiatrists taking the Royal College of Psychiatrists examination and I am the Course Director for a London based MRCPsych CASC course. My research portfolio includes the national multi-centre CODES trial for dissociative seizures where I was a Principal Investigator.
I am trained in Quality Improvement processes and I am an Accredited ‘Green Belt’ Practitioner. I support the charity FND Hope UK and am a member of their Medical Expert Committee.
I practice patient centred care and strongly believe in supporting patients in a holistic manner seeing every clinical interaction as an opportunity to deliver excellent care and make a real difference. Please reach out today to see how I can help you.
Dr Abrar Hussain
My Approach
Since my first patient encounter in 1998 as a medical student, I have been curious about how much variation there is in the experience of distress, physical or psychological. Medical textbooks help to define the typical (and sometimes atypical) symptoms and signs of a medical condition and the clinical experience formed over years of training helps to understand how conditions manifest and present. Through my career, I have learnt the importance of remaining open and curious.
Over the years, I have refined my clinical skills and formed my own way of conducting patient consultations, one that is holistic and patient centred. I am interested in the person behind the patient and in the meaning behind the symptom. From experience, I have come to realise that time spent listening with an open mind is as powerful as any other clinical intervention. Time is therapeutic.
I have formed the view that diagnostic labels have a very important place in treatment but can also sometimes miss the bigger picture. The primary motivation that drives me is seeing patients make a good clinical recovery. This is a unique journey for each patient and my role in the recovery is to offer support, motivation and consistency.
You can expect me to be attentive, empathic and reflective. I will invest time in understanding what is going on for you and I will share my thoughts with you openly and honestly. I appreciate that talking about your difficulties can be daunting and I will support you in the process.
There is no shame in seeking help for mental health. We are all potentially vulnerable at some point in our lives. No one is immune. Mental illness does not discriminate and no one should suffer in silence.
I hope this helps you to take the first step and I look forward to hearing from you.
My Colleagues
I am an independent practitioner and over the years have collaborated with a number of colleagues who share my passion to deliver high quality care. I believe that collaboration and team working create synergy and momentum.
Dr Amber Johnston
Clinical Psychologist
Healthy Mind Psychology
http://healthymindpsychology.co.uk/
Dr Amber Johnston is a Clinical Psychologist and Director of Healthy Mind Psychology Ltd. This private psychology practice consists of Dr Johnston and associates and specialises in an array of clinical needs. After Dr Johnston received her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from George Washington University in D.C., she pursued advanced training in both mental health conditions and clinical neuropsychology. Now focused on combining her understanding of neuropsychology and neuroanatomy with emotion regulation to help clients develop a scientific understanding of their emotional struggles, which often involve physical health symptoms naturally. Dr Johnston treats the psychological management of a broad range of health conditions, such as chronic pain conditions, health anxiety, functional neurological symptoms, medically unexplained symptoms, and general mental health struggles. Using tools from empirically-supported treatments such a psychodynamic, CBT, ACT, DBT, and mindfulness-based therapies, Dr Johnston personalises her treatment approach to the client’s specific needs, including close communication with other medical consultants, as appropriate.
Dr Deepak Ravindran
Consultant in Musculoskeletal and Pain Medicine
Berkshire Pain Clinic
https://deepakravindran.co.uk/
Dr Deepak Ravindran has 20 years of experience in helping people overcome their pain – in the NHS and private practice. He is one of the few consultants in the UK who possesses dual certification in musculoskeletal medicine and pain medicine. He has been a consultant in pain medicine for the last 10 years in one of the biggest district general medical sectors, the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust in the UK. He is currently the clinical lead for the specialist pain services for all of West Berkshire since 2015. He is on a mission to interrogate the myths and flesh out theories of pain management. He is passionate about adopting a trauma-informed approach to healing pain. Chronic pain especially requires an approach that is not just about medications, injections, and surgery but also supporting health in its entirety—fully integrating self-management alongside expert support care when needed in a preventative approach. The work that Dr Deepak Ravindran performs in his clinical life as a doctor, educator, and speaker—is to raise awareness, empower patients and provide new solutions that enhance lifestyle, well-being and health. His ground breaking book "The Pain Free Mindset" was published in 2021.
Beverley Hutton
Psychodynamic and EMDR Psychotherapist
Still The Hunger
https://www.stillthehunger.co.uk/
Beverley Hutton is the Clinical Director and Founder of Still The Hunger, a mental health charity operating out of both Reading and Somerset. She is a UKCP registered Psychodynamic Psychotherapist and Europe Accredited EMDR Practitioner, with several years' experience in senior NHS healthcare management. Beverley has a particular interest and experience working with trauma, including Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and C-PTSD, body image disorders, and chronic pain management. She runs weekly Group Therapy for C-PTSD and BDD, as well as a free monthly BDD support group run in association with the BDD Foundation. Still The Hunger provides a variety of psychological therapy options either in person or on-line. Beverley also offers intensive EMDR residential retreats over 2-3 days in Somerset, which is a great way of resolving trauma symptoms or to fast-track recovery. As a team of therapists they are able to give you the time you need to support you on an open-ended basis as we work together towards recovery from conditions such as, Depression and Anxiety, Self-Harm, C-PTSD, DID, Emetophobia, Body image, and eating disorders.
Simon Proudlock
EMDR Europe Trainer, Consultant and Supervisor
Counselling Psychology Solutions
http://counsellingpsychologysolutions.com/
Simon Proudlock is the Director and Head of Practice at Counselling Psychology Solutions. He has extensive experience having studied and worked in both the UK and US. He was awarded the 2012 Practice Prize Award by the British Psychological Society’s Division of Counselling Psychology for Distinctive Contribution to Counselling Psychology for work in Solution Focused Therapy. He is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist and Associate Fellow with the British Psychological Society (BPS) as well as EMDR Europe Consultant, Supervisor and Facilitator. Simon works as Consultant Psychologist for Berkshire Healthcare Foundation NHS Trust. He was instrumental in setting up Tapestry for Resource for Mental Health, the UK’s first Social Relationships Project for individuals recovering from a mental illness. He has previous experience of facilitating Reading’s Link Group supporting individuals with a personality disorder / complex needs for Berkshire Psychotherapy Services (NHS). He also has extensive experience of working with individuals with learning disabilities and mental health needs both in a residential and an employment / vocational setting.
Femke Leathes
Clinical Psychologist
Leathes Psychology Ltd
https://www.leathespsychology.co.uk/
Leathes Psychology have a team of specialist practitioners offering assessments for ADHD and Autism. For ADHD, they offer a ‘gold-standard’ comprehensive private assessment using the most up-to-date psychometric tools and findings (including the aid of the revolutionary QbCheck). But they don’t just diagnose – Leathes Psychology practitioners work to help clients move forward with recommendations, supporting them to make changes in their lives that will foster positive mental health. Their goal is to help clients embrace and maximise their strengths, while making it easier to face the challenges that come their way. All their ADHD assessments include a full session for feedback and strategy work as standard. The autism service operates across both adults and children and young people. The team has many years’ experience in specialist autism services in the NHS, and offer comprehensive, NICE-Guidance driven assessments privately using the most up-to-date tools and findings. The team are also there for support - whether there is an official diagnosis or not – to offer therapy and guidance going forward.
