The Sanctuary Exeter

Providing Clinical Psychology and Functional Medicine services from a beautiful sanctuary in the garden

Please get in touch for your free 15 minute consult

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About

Dr Pillinger

Founded and led by Dr Emma Pillinger, The Sanctuary Exeter is a beautiful therapeutic space, offering evidence-based, holistic approaches:

  • Psychological Therapy
  • Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
  • Functional Medicine

Dr Emma Pillinger is a Registered Clinical Psychologist with over 19 years of experience working in both public and private sectors, in community, residential and hospital settings.  She is also a qualified Functional Medicine Practitioner, graduating from the Institute of Functional Medicine’s ‘Applied Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice’ (AFMCP) in 2018. Working with people individually, as a couple, family, group or staff team, Dr Pillinger uses a range of psychological therapeutic models and theories to inform her work, predominantly utilising attachment, systemic, psychodynamic, and functional health principles. Specialising in EMDR and IFS therapy, Dr Pillinger’s approach is trauma-informed and underpinned by humanistic values that incorporate an essential focus upon building and maintaining the therapeutic relationship.

Dr Pillinger currently works part time as a Clinical Health Psychologist at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. As a lead professional in an Integrated Psychological Medicine Service, she coordinates specific service areas of development and delivery for patients in the acute hospital who experience mental/psychological ill-health, and/or long-term conditions (LTCs), and/or persistent physical symptoms (PPSs). Dr Pillinger also runs a private practice at The Sanctuary Exeter, working with people around a wide range of psychological and/or functional health issues, and providing consultation to professionals working in the public and private sectors. She also provides professional supervision and training, on a one to one or group basis.

Services

Psycholgical Therapy

Clinical psychologists aim to reduce psychological distress and enhance psychological well-being by working with people of all ages who experience mental and/or physical health problems, including (for example): Anxiety; Autistic Spectrum Conditions; Depression; Eating disorders; Grief and Loss; Learning difficulties; LTCs and/or PPSs; Neurological conditions; Personal, sexual, and/or family relationships; Personality development/disorder; PTSD; Self-harm/suicidal ideation; Serious and enduring mental illness; Sexual orientation and gender identity; Trauma

Click here for more information and to watch a short video explaining clinical psychology

Initial consultation includes: preparation of case via pre-visit correspondence; 1.5 hours with Dr Pillinger involving thorough assessment of needs; organisation of any indicated clincal testing, agreed psychological formulation / indicated theraputic intervention - £160
On-going psychological therapy sessions includes: 50-60 minutes with Dr Pillinger - £120

EMDR Therapy

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a therapy used to help people recover from distressing events and the problems they have caused, like flashbacks, upsetting thoughts or images, depression and/or anxiety. EMDR is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Whilst it is best known for treating PTSD, evidence shows it is helpful for a range of mental health conditions in people of all ages

Click here for more information and to watch a short video explaining EMDR

Initial consultation includes: preparation of case via pre-visit correspondence; 1.5 hours with Dr Pillinger, involving thorough assessment of needs; organisation of indicated clincal testing, agreed psychological formulation / EMDR treatment protocol - £160
On-going EMDR therapy sessions includes: 50-75 minutes with Dr Pillinger, depending on time required for 'processing' in each session (this will be explained during your initial appointment) - £120-£150

Functional Medicine

Functional Medicine determines how and why illness occurs and restores health by addressing the root causes of disease. It is a science-based approach that empowers clients and practitioners to work together to promote optimal wellness. Each symptom can be the result of more than one cause, with the precise manifestation depending on the individual’s genes, environment, and lifestyle. Only treatments that address the right cause will have lasting benefit beyond symptom suppression

Click here for more information and to watch a short video explaining Functional Medicine

Comprehensive initial consultation includes: preparation of case via pre-visit questionnaires; 1.5 hours with Dr Pillinger, involving thorough assessment of needs to establish root cause/s; organisation of indicated functional testing, agreed clinical formulation and treatment protocol; supporting written guidance - £275
Follow-up consultation includes: 60-90 minutes with Dr Pillinger involving review of treatment protocol, review of test results; supporting written guidance - £150-£200

Please get in touch for your free 15 minute consult.

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What to expect

Your initial appointment is an assessment session that will last for 1 hour and 30 minutes. During this time, Dr Pillinger will discuss your background and lifestyle in depth, in order to fully understand your current issues, challenges and goals – clients often find it very helpful to have the time to tell their complete story. It also allows an opportunity to ask questions and make decisions about the possibility of further work. You will be offered a confidential, compassionate, non-judgemental space to explore the issues that led you to seek support. Dr Pillinger's commitment is to provide clients with the appropriate information & advice to maximise their chances of success and, at the end of this session, she will make suggestions and talk about what will happen next. For example, she may suggest longer term exploratory therapy, focused trauma work, or thorough functional medicine consultation. Although this is an assessment session, it is likely that you will leave with a few specific ideas to get started on, and some recommended resources to read/follow-up in your own time too.

Contact

The Sanctuary Exeter
58 Rivermead Rd.
Exeter, EX2 4RL