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Alison Hopkins - About Me_edited_edited.jpg

Hello

I’m a BABCP Accredited CBT Therapist with 20 years’ experience working for the NHS in mental health and supporting clients to manage anxiety and depression.

 

Initially trained as an Occupational Therapist having experience in both community and inpatient settings, in 2008 I gained a postgraduate diploma in CBT and have been part of the NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety & Depression service since its inception (previously known as the 'IAPT' service).

An experienced & accredited therapist

Having worked in the NHS for over two decades, I have specialised in mental health and wellbeing since the creation and roll-out of IAPT services in 2008.

 

During this time I gained experience from helping thousands of clients to manage anxiety and depression in a way that was right for them, working as both a practitioner and as senior leader within the service. This has included taking the lead for Long Term Conditions (including Long Covid) and safeguarding children, creating, developing and implementing care pathways, designing group programmes and delivering one to one treatment. 

 

The qualifications and experience I have gained in this time have equipped me with skills and abilities to allow me to deliver with excellence in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and I bring with me to every session a wealth of knowledge in good mental health practice based on NICE guidelines. I have a strong working knowledge of various CBT models, allowing me to practice of a range of techniques, strategies and approaches according to what best suits your needs. 

In my spare time I am a keen athlete, training and competing in running and triathlons. I have a strong interest in physical activity and the positive impact it can have on mental health, and created the NHS's first ever 'Running to Better Health' programme – an innovative structured running programme that used physical activity alongside provision of CBT strategies to improve wellbeing, based on NICE guidelines. The programme was covered in a feature I published in CBT Today magazine, detailing the course impact and benefits of physical activity for anxiety and depression.

Professional Qualifications

  • Diploma in Occupational Therapy

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

  • Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) 

Professional Registration

  • Health and Care Professions Council

  • British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) - Fully Accredited Psychotherapist

  • EMDR UK

 

Published Articles

  • CBT Today magazine: Running to Better Health

I am bound by codes and ethical frameworks of the above professional bodies for good practice. Furthermore, I receive on-going supervision and undertake training courses in order to maintain professional development and good practice. 

You can get in touch with me to book a free 15 minute online consultation to talk through how I can help you by clicking here.

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