Unlock Psychology Ltd

We’re looking forward to running an open evening this coming Monday at 5pm about our upcoming Level 5 Diploma in CBT Skills & Theory. We have limited places left on our September 2026 cohort so if you want to learn more you can book here: https://www.unlockpsychology.co.uk/booking-calendar/level-5-diploma-in-cbt-open-evening?referral=service_list_widget

We have another open evening on June 8th at 5pm too. Reach out if you’re interested!

Level 5 Diploma in CBT Open Evening At Unlock Psychology, we’re dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible and personalized psychological, training and research services for individuals and organisations.

Exciting news this week, we've now got the procedures in place for students to submit real session recordings for our CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory. Alongside assessing theoretical knowledge from case reports, we wanted to keep the skills assessments grounded in real practice rather than just role plays.

This means we can offer:
✅ Best practice skills assessment and ratings using the Cognitive Therapy Scale-Revised (CTS-R) in line with NHS, university and national CBT training standards
✅ Assessment of what actually happens in the therapy room to strengthen our students' practice and ultimately their clients' outcomes
✅ Real, personalised, developmental feedback for using CBT in practice
✅ Additional confidence-building for students in fidelity to CBT, as well as assurance to clients and supervisors that robust training and evaluation is in place
✅ Secure, ethical and legally compliant data processing procedures for clients

Our places are filling up for our September 2026 cohort which is equally exciting! Drop us a message if you're interested in learning more or applying.

Today we talk about autistic overwhelm. 😔
In this post, we define what autistic overwhelm is, and some of the common symptoms.

Definition: When an autistic person is faced with too much information at once, it can quickly become overwhelming. This overload often leads to intense anxiety and stress, which may show up as changes in behaviour. These responses are commonly known as meltdowns or shutdowns and are natural reactions to feeling overwhelmed, not intentional behaviour.

Symptom 1:Intense sensory overload, such as strong reactions to bright lights or loud sounds

Symptom 2:Difficulty speaking, processing information, or thinking clearly (often described as cognitive fog)

Symptom 3:Increased irritability and emotional distress, including anxiety, panic, or rage

If this was helpful, follow to learn more!

6 months into my Assistant psychologist placement and I've been so enriched with knowledge! Here are some of my thoughts.

One thing I have learnt this week, and throughout my wider study of mental health, is the striking similarity in coping mechanisms across different mental health disorders. Many approaches follow a shared pattern, emphasising mindfulness, the establishment of consistent routines, and a conscious focus on the needs of the mind. This suggests that, despite differences in diagnosis or neurotype, there are common underlying processes that influence psychological wellbeing.
These similarities highlight the significant impact that our environment has on mental health. Factors such as structure, predictability, emotional safety, and opportunities for self-regulation can either support or undermine mental wellbeing, regardless of whether an individual is neurotypical or neurodivergent. Recognising this reinforces the importance of creating supportive environments and adopting preventative, holistic strategies that prioritise mental wellbeing rather than focusing solely on diagnostic labels.

If you enjoyed this, stay tuned to learn more about an assistant psychologists thoughts.

In this post we discuss how to cope with ADHD and Perfectionism.🫂

1.Establishing a routine and setting achievable goals:🗓
For ADHD, establishing a routine can help manage daily tasks including, waking, sleeping, eating, work schedules and deadlines etc. Similarly for Perfectionism, establishing a routine allows for a structure to see where you are within your task and whether you can achieve it within that time frame, making them more achieveable.

2.Relaxation techniques:🧖‍♀️
Relaxation techniques can help both ADHD and Perfectionism. With breathing exercises to release any stress and anxiety, alongside positive affirmations allowing for a positive sense of self-worth.

3.Mindfulness:💆‍♂
Mindfulness is the ability to simply notice, without judgement, what we are thinking and feeling in the present moment. Perfectionism, self-criticism and the strong impulses or emotions that come with ADHD are all simply momentary biological impulses. Being able to 'zoom out', not see thoughts as facts, and to allow emotions to wash over us without acting on them can all help.

4.Focusing on meaning:❓
A key for both disorders may lay within focusing on the meaning of your matter. Whether this be the impulsive demands of ADHD or the obsessive desire of completion for Perfectionism. By stopping and asking yourself, is what I'm about to do meaningful? May reduce impulsiveness and refrain from excessive focus on a tasks that do not require as much thought.

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In this post we discuss the differing factors of ADHD and Perfectionism.

1.Organisation and focus💡: ADHD often makes it challenging to focus, stay organised, and follow tasks through to completion. Perfectionism, on the other hand, pushes people to set extremely high expectations for themselves, leaving almost no room for mistakes or imperfection.

2.Behaviour👤: When it comes to behaviour, the two can look very different. ADHD is often associated with impulsivity, acting quickly or spontaneously, while perfectionism tends to involve careful, rule-bound behavior aimed at controlling outcomes.

3.Causes❓:At their core, the drivers behind each are distinct. Perfectionism stems from an internal, anxious push toward flawlessness and meeting rigid standards. ADHD, however, is a neurobiological difference that affects executive functions such as attention, organisation, and impulse control

If you enjoyed this content, take a look at our TikTok page for similar weekly content! Make sure to leave a like and comment your thoughts.

In this post, I discuss my experience when researching about mental health disorders.

I learnt that many mental health disorders are not distinct in how they're experienced. Where some people only do experience one, its very common of people to share more than one mental health issue, for instance Autism sometimes is accompanied by anxiety disorders such as OCD, whilst ADHD can sometimes be accompanied by perfectionism. I think it's important to understand this as it creates a broader expectation of what mental health look like. Rather than fitting into one category, mental health can be experienced differently due to co-morbidity, so two people with the same disorder may look entirely different due to another existing issue. This suggests that mental health is not linear in how its experienced, it is different for everyone and it important we continue to research this to provide the best help for different problems.

If you enjoyed this, stay tuned to learn more about an assistant psychologists thoughts.