Isabel Clarke
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
My work spans two areas: psychosis and spirituality, and clinical psychology. Both draw on the Interacting Cognitive Subsystems model and seek to bring spirituality into centre stage as a central part of what it means to be human. I am the founder of Comprehend, Cope and Connect (CCC) — a trauma-informed holistic approach to mental health.
Comprehend, Cope & Connect
CCC (formerly EFFA) is a therapy approach that starts with collaborative, individual formulation. It integrates third wave CBT on the theoretical foundation of the Interacting Cognitive Subsystems model, and is being piloted across Acute, IAPT and Culturally Adapted therapy settings.
Learn more about CCC →Latest Research
Our paper in RCPsych Bulletin is now published:
Comprehend, Cope and Connect: A Trauma-Informed Holistic Approach to Address Mental Health Crisis as a Team.
Harris, J., Clarke, I., et al. (2025). BJPsych Bulletin.
DOI: 10.1192/bjb.2025.29
Books
- Meeting Mental Breakdown Mindfully — How to help the CCC way (Routledge, 2021)
- Madness, Mystery and the Survival of God — 'O' books, 2008
- How to Deal with Anger — A 5-step CBT plan (John Murray Learning, 2016)
Podcasts & Interviews
- Therapeutic Astrology Podcast with Mannah
- MindThatEgo Podcast with Ricky Derisz
- The Passing Through Podcast with Danny Iacono
- SCN Research Group Talk — Linking Clinical Experience and Research
CCC Training
One or two day workshops available, face to face preferred. For individuals or whole teams in Acute Mental Health, CMHT, IAPT and Primary Care settings.
Other workshops available: Self and Spirituality, Psychosis and Spirituality, The Dynamics of Running Groups, Anger Management.
Get in touch →Psychology & Spirituality
Understanding the universal importance of religious and spiritual ideas and experience is central to my work. I am a founder member of the Spiritual Crisis Network.
Read more →Ecology & Climate Crisis
The core idea that we are embedded in a web of relationship provides direction towards understanding and addressing the ecological challenge of our age.
Recent paper: The Climate Crisis – a Question of Connection (Clinical Psychology Forum, 2024).
Read more →Culture Free CBT
CCC has been recognized as suitable and relatively 'Culture Free' for therapy adaptation across non-Western cultures, with research linking centres in Pakistan, Canada and Southampton.
Phiri, P., Clarke, I., et al. (2021). Culture Free CBT for Diverse Groups.
Read more →