About me
I’m Vera, a HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist. I specialise in helping people who are dealing with traumatic life events, and those who feel lost amidst major life transitions or changes.
My approach is first and foremost centred around you — your needs, your history, and you as a person. I believe in bringing myself to my work.
I have lived experience of navigating chronic health conditions, and I have worked with people for many years supporting them through their own acute and chronic health challenges. I also work regularly with bereavement and grief, particularly traumatic memories relating to a loved ones death.
I want to help you find yourself and the path forward when you feel lost amidst it all. Together we will find the right approach for you, using evidence based interventions with practical and human guidance.
BSc in Psychology (with placement in Neuropsychiatry) - Cardiff University
MSc in Health and Medical Psychology (with placement in Coaching) - Leiden University
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology - University of Edinburgh
Qualifications and training
Since qualifying I have completed a number of specialised training courses as a Psychologist including further training to use EMDR, ACT, and CFT, health specific training, and ways to support those who are bereaved.
Clinical Experience: I supported everyone across the age range as part of my training, working with adults, older adults, those with a learning difficulty, and those under the age of 16. After qualifying I initially worked with children, teenagers and families where I supported individuals with both mental health challenges and assessments for autism & ADHD.
I then moved to work in an oncology service where I supported people with a cancer diagnosis, their loved ones, and those bereaved through cancer.
Continued professional development is important to me. I want to make sure that my therapeutic skills are the best they can be for those I support. If you have any questions about my skills or experience please get in touch so we can discuss this to see if we would be a good fit.
About me as a human
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![Photo of a sunset with blue orange and yellow and siwrly clouds]()
I enjoy a dramatic sunset, the wilder the better.
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![Picture of a woman in sports clothing lying on rock halfway up a big hill.]()
I will walk up hills...but you will find me resting along the way, and potentially complaining on the way up.
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![Picture of a woman walking down a steep sand dune]()
I will sometimes try to take the quickest way and get lost. Perseverance is key...
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![Picture of a puffin's den on a cliffside overlooking the ocean]()
I once almost saw a puffin. About a third of its beak at least...I waited an hour before I gave up the search. I'm still waiting to see one properly one day!
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![A photo of the beach with a woman swimming in the distance]()
I enjoy swimming in the ocean at any opportunity. Don't let the sunshine fool you, this was October in Scotland and it was freezing.
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![Image of a stack of books: Orbital, We'll Prescribe you a cat, Anatomu, Alchemy & Rose, The end of the ocean, and the enchanted Greenhouse]()
I love reading books. Here is a selection of my current 'to be read' pile which is ever growing.
I want you to feel as safe and included as possible if you are considering therapy with me. If you have any aspects of your life experience or identity which you feel might be a barrier to working with me, please reach out so we can discuss whether we could be a good fit.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
I have experience supporting those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and want to create a space where your identity is respected and part of the work we do if needed. If you have any questions or worries please let me know before we meet.
I prefer to work in a neurodiversity affirming way. If you identify as neurodivergent we will adapt our process accordingly to suit your brain. Please let me know before we meet what I could do to make our first appointment as comfortable as possible for you.
Spoonies and those with fatigue or pain are welcome, let’s adjust what we do to suit your health and energy needs. Let’s not make therapy another thing that drains you. Get in touch if you have particular accessibility or adjustment needs.
If you are part of the global majority or identify as BIPOC, I want you to know that I am committed to providing an anti-racist and culturally sensitive space. If you want to ask any questions before we meet please get in touch.
Other Information
I have experience living both across Europe and further afield, which means I know what it is like to settle into a new environment or culture. I am more than happy to support those adjusting to a relocation.
I speak also Finnish and German, and we can discuss whether we could work together in one of these languages.
I have specialised knowledge related to endometriosis and worked with Endometriosis UK for several years providing advocacy and support groups to those affected. I am happy to bring my experience to our work together if this is something that affects you.
Why SOLMIRA?
I spent a long time looking for the right name…many of the options felt clichéd, boring, or completely unhelpful. I loved the idea of finding glimmers of hope or light when everything feels dark and difficult, and after weeks of thinking and searching the right name came along.
SOLMIRA
SOL = sunshine or light
MIRA = look
Together we will look for the glimmers of light or hope in the darkness, for the waymarkers that might guide your path, and for the sparkles in your day to day life.
Get in Touch
If you are interested in working with me, or would like to request a free consultation call, please email contact@solmirapsychology.co.uk.
To help me assist you as quickly as possible, please include the following in your message:
Your Full Name
Preferred Contact Details
Your Inquiry: A short summary of your request
A Note on Security: Although the email server is secure, pease be mindful not to share sensitive, personal, or confidential clinical information in this initial email. As this is an inquiry stage, we will discuss your specific needs in detail once we have set up our initial contact securely.
Please do not contact us if you are experiencing a severe mental health crisis which might require immediate care. Solmira Psychology cannot guarantee an immediate response and are likely not the right service for you at this point - see our FAQs. You can contact NHS 24, your GP or mental health support lines in an emergency.
If you are enquiring about individual therapy, I will email you with our Therapy Terms and Intake Forms and Consent Forms before we arrange a free initial call as per my professional guidelines.