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About Me

Dr Judith Holden

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

and

Coaching Psychologist

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. 

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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. 

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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. Training as a Coach has been an important part of that process, and I bring the breadth and depth of my experience to every coaching encounter. 

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Outside of work, my curiosity, and love of exploration and adventures is sated with travel and sailing.  I have backpacked around the world both solo and in company and revel in the challenges and opportunities that come with independent travel.  On the water, I was the first woman in my sailing club to attain her RYA Yachtmaster Offshore qualification, and regularly skipper yachts in the UK and abroad.  I have also twice competed in the RORC Fastnet Race, a world-famous test of crew skills and stamina.  It was my love of the sea that inspired the name of my company. 

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 what I offer

  • A registered practitioner psychologist with an additional recognised coaching qualification

  • Depth and breadth of underlying knowledge and expertise of human psychology

  • More than twenty-five years' experience of working with people to create meaningful change

  • Proficient with complex issues

  • Advanced communication and relationship-building skills for an effective, compassionate, and well-boundaried coaching experience

  • Appreciation of diversity and commitment to equality.  Everyone is welcome 

  • Fully insured, enhanced DBS, and registered with the ICO

  • Bespoke coaching drawing on a range of models and approaches

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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 coaching in a largely unregulated industry.

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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: 

Standards for Coaching Psychology (Level 8).pdf (bps.org.uk)

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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. 

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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 coaching psychology practice:

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  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

  • Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Parts 1 - 4

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), Primary and Advanced Practica

  • Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT)

  • Attachment Approaches

 

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

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