Dr Kavita Deepak-Knights

What I Treat

Services in Windsor, Berkshire

CONDITIONS

What are my
Therapies for?

I provide NICE guideline evidence-based interventions for a wide variety of mental health conditions and difficulties. Please see below an offering of some of the presentations that I work with. This is not an exhaustive list, for further information, please contact me here. Contact me

Addictions

Adjustment Disorders

Anxiety

Borderline Personality Disorder

Childhood Traumas

Mood Disorders

Eating Disorders

Grief, Loss & Bereavement

Low Self-Esteem

Phobias

Stress

Addictions

People can develop an addiction or dependency to almost anything. What might start as an enjoyable activity—such as gambling, gaming, or sex—or the use of substances like alcohol, drugs, or caffeine can, over time, lead to dependency. Addiction can arise from various factors, including stress, as a way of coping with other challenges, or due to environmental influences, such as peer pressure. Over time, this can evolve into a physical and/or psychological dependency, impacting day-to-day functioning and taking a toll on both mental and physical health.

For help with addictions, contact me –

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Adjustment Disorders

Adjustment Disorder is a stress-related condition that occurs when someone has difficulty adapting to one or more stressful life events or transitions. It can arise during periods of natural change or in response to significant life challenges and may be worsened by high levels of stress, financial pressures, or social difficulties. This condition affects men and women equally and typically begins within three months of experiencing a stressful event or change.

People experience Adjustment Disorder in different ways, leading to a variety of symptoms. You might feel overwhelmed, unusually upset, worried, or anxious. You may also feel less capable of handling stress than usual. Other common symptoms include difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, and physical issues such as fatigue, headaches, or muscle tension. Behavioral changes, like withdrawing socially or acting more impulsively, are also possible.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe and generally resolve within six months. However, if they persist beyond this timeframe, it is considered chronic Adjustment Disorder and may signal the development of other mental health conditions, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or Depression.

The good news is that with the right treatment and support, individuals with Adjustment Disorder can recover fully and regain their sense of balance and well-being.

For help with an adjustment disorder, contact me –

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Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural and healthy emotion, but when it becomes overwhelming and begins to interfere with daily life, it may be diagnosed as clinical anxiety. Left untreated, clinical anxiety can lead to intense physical symptoms and cause individuals to avoid situations, people, or places that trigger their anxiety, resulting in a more restricted and isolated life.

Anxiety can manifest in various forms, and some of the most common anxiety disorders include:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Health Anxiety
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Panic Disorder
• Social Anxiety
• Specific Phobias

The good news is that with the right treatment and support, you can develop effective skills to manage and challenge your anxiety, helping you regain control and improve your quality of life. If you’d like to explore treatment and support options for anxiety disorders, I’m here to help.

For help with any struggles with anxiety, contact me –

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Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning and development.

It can significantly impact an individual’s psychological functioning across various domains. People with ADHD may struggle with organisation, time management, and maintaining focus on tasks, leading to difficulties in academic or work performance.

Emotional dysregulation is common, resulting in mood swings, frustration, and challenges in interpersonal relationships. Executive function deficits can affect planning, decision-making, and self-control.

Additionally, individuals with ADHD may experience low self-esteem and anxiety due to repeated experiences of underachievement or social difficulties. The condition’s impact can vary widely between individuals.

If you or a loved one would like a specialist diagnostic assessment for ADHD, please get in contact. ADHD can be effectively managed with a combination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and or medication.

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Private Autism Assessment

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that influences how individuals perceive and interact with the world. As the name suggests, it is a “spectrum disorder,” meaning its impact varies widely from person to person. The term ASD now encompasses both Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, which were previously diagnosed as separate conditions.

While ASD is a lifelong condition with no “cure,” the way it affects an individual can change over time depending on their environment and life experiences. Many people with ASD live independently and build successful careers and families, while others may require ongoing specialist support, such as assisted living.

In recent years, the number of individuals diagnosed with ASD has increased, likely due to greater awareness and improved diagnostic methods. This is a positive development, as early diagnosis and support can make a significant difference in understanding a person’s needs and providing the right interventions. For adults, receiving a diagnosis can also be transformative, helping them identify their strengths and challenges, and access tailored support.

A diagnosis of autism can impact individuals and families in different ways. For some, it offers clarity and a sense of relief, explaining why they think, feel, and behave in certain ways. For others, it may be overwhelming and take time to process. I offer private autism assessments from my Windsor clinic, as well as pre- and post-assessment support for individuals and their families navigating this journey.

If you would like to learn more or enquire about a private autism assessment, please contact me.

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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) / Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD)

BPD, also known as EUPD, is diagnosed when an individual experiences persistent and intense difficulties with mood regulation and interpersonal relationships. It often involves self-sabotaging behaviours, such as self-harm, challenges in forming or maintaining relationships, and overwhelming emotions that can feel uncontrollable.

While living with BPD/EUPD can be challenging, it is a manageable condition. Psychological treatment focuses on evidence-based approaches such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), which provides practical skills to regulate emotions, improve relationships, and manage distress effectively.

With the right treatment and support, you can develop the tools to better manage the challenges of BPD/EUPD and create a more balanced and fulfilling life.

If you would like to explore treatment and support options, I am here to help.

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Childhood Traumas

Childhood trauma can have a profound and lasting impact on a person’s life, often creating a ripple effect that influences emotional well-being, relationships, and overall functioning well into adulthood. This trauma may lead to challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health difficulties.

Common forms of childhood trauma include physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment, and mistreatment. These experiences can leave deep emotional scars but, with the right treatment and support, it is possible to process and heal from these wounds.

If you would like to explore treatment and support for childhood trauma, I am here to help.

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Mood Disorders – Including Bipolar Disorder and Depressive Disorder

Mood disorders encompass conditions such as Bipolar Disorder and Depressive Disorder, both of which can significantly impact a person’s emotional well-being and daily life.

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Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder involves dramatic shifts in mood, cycling between episodes of mania and depression. During manic episodes, a person may experience elevated or excessive happiness, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and an abundance of energy. These periods of mania are often followed by depressive episodes, characterized by feelings of sadness, low energy, and hopelessness. The mood shifts in bipolar disorder can vary in duration, ranging from rapid cycling (hours, days, or weeks) to longer episodes lasting weeks or months. Diagnosis typically requires a longitudinal mental health history to identify the pattern of cycling mood changes.

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Depressive Disorder

Depression is diagnosed when a person experiences persistent symptoms of sadness, tearfulness, lethargy, and changes in appetite, sleep, and motivation, occurring most of the day, nearly every day, for more than two weeks. The severity of depression can vary, but at its most extreme, untreated depression can severely disrupt a person’s life and relationships.

The encouraging news is that mood disorders are highly treatable. Psychological therapies have proven to be very effective in managing and improving symptoms of these conditions.

With the right treatment and support, you can develop the skills needed to manage and challenge mood disorders, leading to a healthier and more balanced life.

If you would like to explore treatment and support for mood disorders, I am here to help.

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Eating Disorders / Disordered Eating

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions triggered by multiple factors, resulting in a severely negative and unhealthy attitude towards food, weight, and body image. The most common types of eating disorders include:

1. Anorexia Nervosa:

– Characterised by severe food and calorie restriction

– Excessive exercise

– Low weight and BMI

2. Bulimia Nervosa:
– Characterised by cycles of binge eating and purging

– May involve laxative use and excessive exercise

3. Binge Eating Disorder:

– Characterised by episodes of binge eating

– Generally does not involve purging

– May involve attempts to control weight through excessive exercise, laxative use, and food restriction

With appropriate treatment and support, individuals can learn skills to manage and challenge their eating disorder effectively. Treatment often involves a multidisciplinary approach, including psychological therapy, nutritional counselling, and medical monitoring.

If you would like to enquire about treatment and support for eating disorders, please don’t hesitate to discuss this further. We can explore various options tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.

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Grief, Loss and Bereavement

Grieving is a normal, adaptive process that one has to endure when they have lost a loved one or something/someone that they cared about, that is no longer in their life e.g. relationships or pets.

Sometimes, adjusting to the loss can feel overwhelming and the grief can feel stuck and never-ending. Therapy can help you process and work through the feelings of loss and help you adjust to the life changes that you are experiencing.

With the right treatment and support, you can learn the skills to help your grief.

If you would like to enquire about treatment and support for grief, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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Low Self-Esteem

Self-esteem refers to how we value and perceive ourselves. While our self-esteem can be positive, there are times when we may not assess ourselves fairly or respectfully. In such instances, we might be experiencing low self-esteem. Low self-esteem can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety, and can significantly impact our behaviours, relationships and overall functioning.

It’s important to note that psychological therapies can effectively address low self-esteem. With appropriate treatment and support, individuals can develop skills to improve their self-esteem.

If you’re interested in exploring treatment options and support for low self-esteem, I am available to assist you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for further information or to discuss how we can work together to enhance your self-esteem and overall well-being.

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Phobias

Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder characterised by an intense and irrational fear of specific objects, situations, or activities. People may experience phobias towards various stimuli that trigger fear, disgust, and anxiety. Common examples include:

– Fear of flying
– Emetophobia (fear of vomiting)
– Animal phobias
– Acrophobia (fear of heights)
– Claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces)

Phobias are highly treatable using evidence-based psychological therapies. With appropriate treatment and support, individuals can develop effective coping strategies to manage and overcome their phobias.

If you would like to explore treatment options and support for phobias, I am available to assist you.

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Stress and Burn-out

Stress and burnout are common experiences, but prolonged and intense stress can have severe and detrimental impacts on mental health. Stress can lead to anxiety, depression, and negatively affect relationships and overall functioning. Burnout, a state of physical and emotional exhaustion often resulting from chronic workplace stress, can further exacerbate these issues.

Psychological therapies can help you learn effective stress management techniques and address burnout symptoms. These may include cognitive-behavioural strategies, mindfulness practices, and lifestyle modifications.

With the right treatment and support, you can develop skills to manage stress effectively and prevent or recover from burnout. This may involve setting boundaries, practising self-care, and improving work-life balance.

If you would like to enquire about treatment and support for stress management and burnout prevention, I am here to help.

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Please Note

This is not an exhaustive list of all the difficulties I treat.

For further information regarding how I can help you, please contact me below with a brief summary of your difficulties.