Do you work with clients who struggle with health anxiety?

This episode dives into the world of health anxiety with consultant clinical psychologist Dr. Sophie Gwinett. Sophie shares her new layered model, offering a fresh and practical way to understand and formulate health anxiety. The conversation covers how traditional CBT can sometimes fall short, introduces the "house of health anxiety" metaphor, and discusses the powerful impact of early experiences. Listeners will hear practical examples for working with shame, cycles of anxiety, and how to build a more compassionate therapeutic approach. Sophie also explains how to collaborate with GPs and health teams, and the importance of addressing health anxiety at a systemic level.

Highlights include:

03:05 Why current models sometimes fall short

06:52 The “house of health anxiety” metaphor

11:10 Avoidance and safety behaviours

17:03 Formulation in session and mapping with clients

23:09 EMDR and layered interventions

Guest Information:

Dr. Sophie Gwinett

www.brightsidepsychology.com,

Visit her health anxiety hub: www.healthanxietyhub.com,

LinkedIn: @drsophiegwinnett

Follow on Instagram: @rsophygwinnett

Resources discussed

• CBT model for health anxiety (Salkovskis et al.)
• Health Anxiety Hub website – information and articles
• EMDR and flash forward interventions
• ACT techniques for health anxiety
• GP formulation letter for collaborative care

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