The Portman Clinic is an outpatient National Health Service psychotherapy clinic located in a large house, 5 minutes walk from either Swiss Cottage or Finchley Road tube stations. The Clinic is for people who are troubled by criminal or violent behaviour or disturbing sexual behaviour or experiences.
A patient may have been referred to the Clinic as a result of seeing a GP or following contact with a psychiatrist, probation officer, social worker, psychologist or other professional person. Or, the patient may have contacted the Clinic directly. Attending the Clinic allows the opportunity to discuss problems and to explore whether a patient may benefit from the treatment offered at the clinic.
The first few appointments are for the purpose of getting a fuller picture of the patient and his or her difficulties and then coming to a conclusion, together with the patient, about what to do next. This might be a recommendation for treatment at the Clinic or, after discussion with the patient, a suggestion that we contact the person who wrote to us to outline what we think might be helpful.
Psychotherapy is a "talking" treatment and takes place either one-to-one with a therapist or in a group with others and a therapist, usually on a weekly basis. Problems are often complicated and the psychotherapy treatment can extend over quite a long period of time. The families of children being seen will also be offered appointments though not necessarily on a weekly basis.
The therapist is committed to thinking about the patient and talking with him or her in a thorough and respectful way. The therapist will listen carefully to whatever the patient wishes to discuss. Many people find that being able to talk about disturbing thoughts and painful emotions, in the present and from the past, may eventually bring a sense of relief through an understanding. This may then help to free a patient from the more self-destructive ways of feeling, thinking and behaving and be able to live and function more easily.
Psychotherapy can often be a powerful process and will at times be disturbing. However, knowing that the therapist will be seen on a regular basis may make this more bearable. Because psychotherapy is at times distressing and frustrating, our experience is that it may not be suitable for people who frequently and heavily use alcohol or drugs to try to gain relief from their distress.
If you have further questions about what you might expect during the treatment please ask the therapist you are coming to see.
Portman Clinic services are available to everyone regardless of race, culture, sexual orientation, class, gender, age, religion or ability. We recognise that in our society certain groups and individuals have experienced and continue to experience discrimination in many ways, and we are committed to think about these aspects of people's lives in a sensitive way. We are committed to achieving equal opportunities in all aspects of the Clinic's work, and in particular to provide services to people who may find themselves discriminated against or otherwise excluded from access to services.
We will ask for your address, details of your ethnic origin and your GP's name and address before you come for your first appointment. If you change your address or telephone number whilst you are having treatment please let us know so that we are able to contact you if necessary. We also need this information to ensure that your treatment is funded appropriately, in line with the contract arrangements that apply to NHS Trusts. If we do not have this information there may be a delay in sending you your first appointment.
Any information we hold about a patient is held in the strictest confidence and is governed by the Patient's Charter, Data Protection Act and the Caldicott principles. We will use information only to manage the care of a patient and our own services.
Everyone working in the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about a patient confidential and in this clinic we attach particular importance to this responsibility. It is our practice to write to the GP and/or referrer periodically, to confirm attendance at the clinic. In general, information about you would only be shared with other professionals with your agreement and when there is good reason to do so. In rare circumstances there may be an overriding reason to share information with other professionals but the reason for doing so would always first be discussed with you. If there is any aspect of confidentiality that concerns you, please discuss this in your first appointment.
For further information please contact:
Ms Jane Volger
Clinic Manager
8 Fitzjohns Avenue
London NW3 5NA
Tel: 020 7794 8262
Fax: 020 7447 3748
Email jvogler@tavi-port.nhs.uk
