About Me

Dr Judith Holden

I have a lifelong interest in people and their wellbeing, and this has been the driving force behind my career path over the past three decades. This has been true from my earliest roles as a care assistant with the elderly and befriender for people with mental health difficulties, to my current position as Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Coaching Psychologist, and company director. Working with people as they make meaningful changes and discover a renewed quality of life and purpose is both a pleasure and a privilege.

I qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 2003 and continued working in the NHS until 2010 before spending several years either self-employed or employed in the private sector. Not only have I gained substantial knowledge and skills working directly with individual clients, groups, and staff teams, but also have significant experience in supervision, teaching and training, research, management, and leadership.

I have acted as an expert witness for the Family and Civil Courts since 2008, assessing adults and children involved in care proceedings, and personal injury cases.

I formed Seren Bay Limited in 2015 with the aim of taking charge of my career, building on my strengths, and broadening my work horizons including additional training as a Coach.

Clinical Psychology

In my psychological therapy work I specialise in PTSD, complex trauma, personality and attachment issues with adults.

Expert Witness

In my role as an expert witness I undertake assessments with children, adults, and family groups.

Coaching Psychology

I offer coaching for both personal and professional issues, and am comfortable working with complexity.

Qualifications and training

HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologists and BPS Chartered Psychologists are required to engage in regular continuing professional development throughout their careers. In addition to my formal qualifications listed below, I have undertaken significant post-qualification training in a range of approaches that inform my psychology practice:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Parts 1 - 4
The Flash Technique
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Focused CBT
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), Primary and Advanced Practica
Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT)
Schema Therapy
Attachment Approaches

Other relevant training includes:

Court Skills for Psychologists and Mini-Pupilage – Warwickshire and Coventry Family Justice Council
Leadership Development Programme including 360 feedback – Dudley & Walsall MH Partnership Trust
West Midlands Clinical Psychology Supervisors Training and Recognition (STAR) programme
CBT Supervision and CBT Training Skills for Trainers, Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre

I am qualified to administer and interpret a comprehensive range of psychometric assessments.

Education

2019-2020

Diploma in Coaching, Level 5
University of Warwick

2000-2003

ClinPsyD, Doctor of Clinical Psychology
University of Birmingham

1997-1998

MSc Forensic Psychology
University of Leicester

1994-1997

BSc Psychology, first class
University of Westminster

Ethical Practice

My personal and professional ethics and standards are something I take very seriously, and I understand how this can be a confusing topic when you are looking for psychological therapy or coaching.

As a Clinical Psychologist I am a Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS). I am also a member of the EMDR Association UK. All of these registrations and memberships require adherence to strict guidelines regarding practitioner competence and ethical practice, as well as requirements for ongoing supervision and training. The maintenance of my registration via continuing personal and professional development is an assurance of quality and accountability.

In my capacity as a Coaching Psychologist, I adhere to the British Psychological Society's Code of Ethics, Practice Guidelines, and Level 8 Standards for Coaching Psychology.

A well as practicing in accordance with the professional standards required by my professional governing bodies, I am also fully covered by professional indemnity insurance, and hold a current enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate.

The privacy and security of personal data is very important. Seren Bay Limited is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and operates in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2016 and Data Protection Act 2018.

What is a Clinical Psychologist?

Clinical Psychologists are scientist practitioners, drawing on the findings of psychological research and theory and applying that knowledge to people’s real-life difficulties. Working collaboratively with people, Clinical Psychologists assess the origins, development, and maintenance of the presenting problems and create a psychological formulation. This shared understanding then helps to guide the choice of the most appropriate evidence-based therapy for that person, in order to relieve their psychological distress and promote wellbeing.

Clinical Psychologists also engage in many other roles such as clinical supervision of other professionals, consultation, teaching, training, research, management, and leadership.

Unlike Psychiatrists, who are medically trained doctors, most Clinical Psychologists do not prescribe medication.

‘Clinical Psychologist’ is a legally protected job title and can only be used by those who have completed the necessary qualifications and training and who maintain their professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HPCP). Other titles, such as psychologist, therapist, psychotherapist, and counsellor are not legally protected and can be used by anyone, whether or not they have appropriate (or any) training.

To become a Clinical Psychologist, candidates first have to complete a psychology degree (BA or BSc; or conversion course) accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This then confers Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS.

Aspiring Clinical Psychologists then go on to gain one or more years of relevant clinical experience with different client groups, in posts such as Assistant Psychologist. They may also undertake a Masters degree or PhD. Application for doctoral training courses in clinical psychology is a competitive process. Trainee clinical psychologists study at university at the same time as being employed by the NHS.

Full time training takes three years, including supervised core and specialist work placements, academic assignments, and completion of a research thesis. Those who pass the training are then awarded a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (ClinPsyD) and are eligible for Chartered status with the BPS and Registration with the HCPC.

After completing their training, Clinical Psychologists tend to specialise with a particular client group or type of service. They have to maintain their professional registration by adhering to strict codes of conduct, engaging in regular clinical supervision, and undertaking further training and continuing professional development activities.

All Clinical Psychologists will have an up-to-date enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Those working in private practice will hold professional indemnity insurance and be registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).