Dr Collins takes referrals from medical colleagues, including GPs and specialists, therapists and counsellors, and, in some cases, self-referrals. It is worth noting that some private medical insurers insist on a medical referral in order to cover a claim. All potential referrals will be screened initially by Lesley Kendrick, in consultation with Dr Collins, to check whether they are appropriate for what he can offer.
As a psychiatrist, Dr Collins will in principle see anyone aged 18 or over with a problem in the general area of mental health for a preliminary assessment. Using conventional medical terms, these might include:
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Anxiety Disorders:
- Generalised Anxiety
- Panic Attacks
- Social Anxiety
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Somatisation Disorders (where there is a mix of physical and psychological symptoms)
- Addictions (chemical and behavioural)
Conditions which are better addressed by colleagues with a specialist interest in that particular area include:
- Eating Disorders
- Adult Attention Deficit Disorder
- Asperger’s Syndrome
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Old Age Psychiatry (eg Dementia assessment)
Please note that Dr Collins does not do medico-legal work.