Education and Professional Registration

• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered Clinical Psychologist – Number: PYL25973
• BPS Accredited Doctorate in Clinical Psychology – University of Surrey
• Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Mental Health Studies – University of Southampton
• First Class BSc(Hons) in Psychology with Clinical Psychology – University of Kent

Professional

Before moving into full-time private practice, I gained twenty years of experience working as a psychologist within the NHS. Alongside providing a wide range of psychological treatments to people who required support for their distress, I also worked in management and leadership roles, helping to develop and roll out new mental health services across the local area.

I am highly experienced in the practice of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) as a first-line treatment for many psychological difficulties. I also have a specialist interest in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which I have been practicing since 2007. ACT is a ‘third wave’ cognitive behavioural therapy that focuses on acceptance of one’s internal experiences (such as thoughts, feelings, and memories) in order to move forwards and live a life that is vibrant and meaningful.

My doctoral research explored the processes of change that occur in ACT, and I was particularly interested in its use with people for whom other treatments have been unsuccessful. Following qualification, I played a key role in developing ACT across local NHS services, writing treatment protocols and providing training and supervision to staff. In recognition of this work, I received an Innovation Award from my NHS Trust.

In 2013 I completed Foundation Level training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) with the British Isles training group, the sole licensed providers of DBT training in the UK. I later worked within, and eventually led, an NHS DBT service in the local area.

I remain committed to ongoing professional development, regularly attending workshops and training events. I have presented my own research at the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) conference and delivered an extensive range of training to other mental health professionals.

Personal

Outside of my professional work, I enjoy cooking, writing, photography and painting. I believe creativity is highly relevant to my practice as a clinical psychologist, as an imaginative outlook increases the capacity for flexibility and fresh perspectives. I also feel that it is important to “practice what I preach”, which means I place great value on applying psychological models to my own self-care and wellbeing. Nurturing my own balance and creativity helps me bring more openness and authenticity to the people I work with.