Dr Valérie Savoie

I am a registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

My professional qualifications are:

• BA in Psychology, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
• MSc in Forensic Psychology, Glasgow Caledonian University
• PhD in Investigative Psychology, University of Huddersfield
• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University of Edinburgh
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) – Certificate
• Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT) basic training – Certificate
• Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) skills workshop – Certificate
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) – Certificate

Prior to my private practice, I have had over 14 years experience of working in psychological services within the National Health Service (NHS). I have experience working with clients of all ages, but most of it has been with adults within forensic settings, including inpatients, community and prisons. I have worked with individuals with a broad range of presentations including but not limited to; anxiety, depression, emotional difficulties, grief, stress, low self-esteem, difficulties with relationships, complex trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and substance use disorder. Over the years, my work has involved individual therapy, cognitive assessments, and consultation. My therapeutic work in the prison was challenging as the clients presented with a wide range of complex difficulties, which routinely an individually adapted approach. My experience allows me to take a holistic and person-centred approach, adapting my input to the individual’s needs.

Creating a trustful and safe therapeutic relationship is key to any psychological work. My primary aim is to offer a non-judgemental and safe environment to enable collaborative work with clients to develop a shared understanding (formulation) of current difficulties and therefore tailor the intervention to the clients’ needs. In my clinical practice, I draw on a number of evidence-based therapies including Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT).