GMC Number: 6108353
Dr Swapna Kongara is an experienced Psychiatrist with a dual certificate in General Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, working as a Consultant in the NHS since 2017. She obtained MRCPsych in 2011 and was also recently awarded the Fellowship of the Royal College (FRCPsych) as a mark of distinction and recognition of her contributions to psychiatry.
As part of her General Psychiatry training, she has worked in diverse mental health settings, including a Primary Care Mental Health Team (PCMHT), Early Intervention Services (EIS), Eating Disorder Services, Substance Misuse Services and inpatient units, which has enabled her to acquire an extensive range of skills to manage a broad array of mental health conditions.
Dr Kongara’s principal Psychotherapy training is in psychodynamic modality and she has the experience of assessing and delivering therapies for patients with a wide range of diagnoses, traumas and psychosocial issues, including depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, PTSD and personality difficulties. She also had training in other modalities of therapies, including CBT, Family Therapy, and Group Therapy skills. She is also trained in Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT).
In addition to this, she has acquired training in Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT) and Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT), which are recognized as Evidence Based Therapies for people diagnosed with personality disorders and trauma histories.
She feels very passionate about providing a safe and helpful space to enable patients to share their stories, make sense of their mental health difficulties and diagnoses and learn the required skills to manage such difficulties, for a better quality of life.
She has a keen interest in Medical Education, and obtained a Post Graduate Certificate (PGCE) in Workplace-based Medical Education from Edgehill University. She is currently the Psychotherapy Tutor in her Trust and also the Training Programme Director (TPD) for Higher Psychotherapy training in the North West. She was awarded the Membership of the Academy of the Medical Educators (MAcadMEd) by the Academy of Medical Educators (AOME) in recognition of her commitment to Medical Education.
She is also passionate about Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity and co-chairs the Medics Race Equality Network (MREN) in her Trust.
Dr Kongara can speak English and Telugu languages.