About me
Dr Holly Thompson
I’m a Clinical Psychologist with a passion for supporting children and young people’s emotional wellbeing. My goal is to help young people feel understood, overcome challenges and build confidence using evidence-based psychological approaches tailored to their needs.
I’m also a mum of three. I don’t just understand child development and mental health in theory; I live the everyday realities of parenting too!
I know the joy and pride that comes with raising children, as well as the exhaustion, self-doubt and worry that can creep in when things feel hard. From school stressors to big feelings and tricky behaviour, I understand how challenging parenting can be at times.
How I work with families
This combination of professional expertise and lived experience shapes how I work with families. I aim to offer support that is compassionate and practical, grounded in evidence and taking into account the strengths of each family.
Growing up in today’s world comes with its own set of unique challenges and juggling school, friendships and the online world is tough. Childhood and adolescence is a turbulent time full of change, growth, uncertainty, yet also hope and excitement. Through working together, I aim to help young people and families thrive, not just survive.
Every young person is unique and has different needs. In my work, I build on the young person’s and family’s resources and strengths. I creatively integrate a number of therapeutic approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and narrative therapy. I consider myself warm and friendly and bring humour to sessions whenever this feels appropriate.
Experience
I have worked in mental health for over 13 years in a variety of settings including social care teams with looked after and adopted children, education settings such as a pupil referral unit, the private sector including inpatient and forensic secure settings, and in community care services such as Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). I currently work for a Local Authority with young people and their families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Clinical Psychologist?
Clinical psychologists aim to reduce psychological distress and promote psychological well-being. Clinical Psychologists undergo extensive training in various therapeutic models and evidence-based interventions to understand and alleviate distress across different stages of life.
A Clinical Psychologist will have completed an Undergraduate Degree in Psychology (3 years), a Clinical Doctorate (3 years) and often an additional Masters degree in Psychology (in Holly's case). This means they will have at least 8 years practical training and experience prior to qualifying. The clinical doctoral program encompasses clinical placements, research, and academic tasks. Many Clinical Psychologists possess substantial experience in supporting emotional well-being before even pursuing doctoral training.
Protected professional title
The title Clinical Psychologist is protected by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), ensuring that only individuals accredited and having completed an approved doctoral training course can legitimately use it.
Anyone can call themselves a Psychologist or Child Psychologist unfortunately as these are not protected titles. The lack of legal protection for these titles leaves room for individuals to misrepresent themselves, which may be misleading and fraudulent.
Checking qualifications
It’s crucial to verify the qualifications of anyone providing services to your child or family, as genuine professionals will welcome inquiries about their background and training.
To check your practitioner is legitimate, please check with the regulating body using the following link: http://www.hpc-uk.org/check
If you dont think we would be a good fit, you can look for other Clinical Psychologists on:
My qualifications
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Clinical Psychologist. Registration number PYL37593.
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (University of Surrey), 2018
- Post Graduate Diploma in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice, Foundation level, AFT, University of Surrey, 2019
- Master’s degree in Mental Health Studies – Passed with distinction (Kings College London), 2014
- BSc Psychology – Upper Second Class with Honours (University of Southampton), 2012
