Online Psychology Service

Psychological consultation and/or therapy may be useful for a range of concerns. I offer specialist psychological services for problems experienced by scuba divers. Where fitness-to-dive is a concern, divers are directed to seek a medical opinion from their own doctor or consult a doctor with dive medicine expertise. Where dive training is required, and the diver is fit-to-dive, divers are directed to seek the services of a scuba diving instructor.

  • All services are offered via online video call.

  • Available throughout the UK

  • Book online and get calendar reminders.

  • Fully private practice, confidential service.

  • EMDR available for trauma & some phobias

How can we help?

Psychological issues in diving

Diving Incidents

We offer consultation and psychological therapy following diving incidents & accidents. The benefit of specialist Diving Psychology services is our knowledge of the underwater environment, the diving community, and specific psychological impact of events in this context.

  • Underwater panic with significant impact

  • Distressing equipment problem

  • Responding to problems: out-of-air / entrapment / entanglement / rapid ascent

  • Coping with distressing or traumatic diving incidents inc. DCI & Drowning

Specific Issues

A safe, effective learning environment to develop scuba diving skills and confidence is often enough. Ongoing psychological barriers to diving may benefit from specialist support.

  • Problematic anxiety or repeat episode of panic

  • Specific fears / phobias

  • Difficulty regulating stress reactions hindering diving

  • Difficulties with diving or training due to previous drowning event(s)

Non-Diving Issues

More general issues that are impacting on psychological/behavioural or physical fitness to dive. For people that would like to scuba dive, or progress further in diving, and are experiencing barriers to diving or training. For example:

  • Mental health concerns (e.g. excessive and problematic anxiety, low mood & depression).

  • Chronic stress & burnout

  • Confidence & esteem issues

  • Lifestyle concerns, (e.g. physical fitness and diet, poor sleep)

Payment

See the options below.

  • Online payment system

  • Accept payment via health insurer

  • Via Videocall

Fees and packages

Book one session at a time, or block book an amount of time and split into several sessions. If it is your first appointment, 90 minutes is recommended. 


Dr Laura Walton

DClinPsychol

A Clinical Psychologist, providing online psychological consultation and therapy. I studied Psychology at the University of Newcastle, then Research Methods at the University of Stirling, and completed a doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Edinburgh in 2010. I am regulated by the Health and Care Professionals Council, in the UK. Previously I worked for more than 10 years in the National Health Service. I am trained and experienced in a range of psychological approaches including anxiety, panic and trauma reactions. I am also an experienced diver and scuba diving instructor.
Laura Walton

Professional Registrations

Dr Laura Walton is a UK Clinical Psychologist registered with the HCPC and an EMDR UK Accredited Practitioner.

What Our Clients Say

Statements from divers who have used this service.

Support following DCI and PFO Diagnosis

Anonymous for Client Confidentiality

"It was incredible to find a service like this, to be able to talk to someone who understood what I was going through and someone who also understood all of the ins and outs of diving. Laura is so easy to talk to, professional, kind and clearly cares a lot about what she does. I would have zero reservations about recommending Laura to my fellow club members and non-diving friends. Thanks again for everything"

Help after Rescuer Role and Providing CPR to Buddy

Anonymous for Client Confidentiality

What part of the contact with Laura/the service was most helpful? "EMDR"

Overcoming diving anxiety after a series of stressful dives

Anonymous for Client Confidentiality

"I just wish more people knew about you and how briliiant the service is." What part of the contact with Laura/the service was most helpful? "Lots of things! - you were skillful in containing the scope of our work to the diving issues themselves - you were great at balancing empathy, encouragement, pace and practicality (that's not easy!) - you work very efficiently - I came away with simple statements and simple approaches - they fit on one page of my logbook therefore easy to reference - I learnt a lot! - I'm back loving my diving, even more. When I came to you I felt I was losing it forever."

Dealing with regulator skills stress before moving tech/cave training

Anonymous for Client Confidentiality

"I thought everything was great!" What part of the contact with Laura/the service was most helpful? "The EMDR coaching, both the software we used & Laura’s prompting/questions throughout. I felt physically & emotionally safe the entire time."