Qualifications

As a Chartered Counselling Psychologist, I trained on the University of Surrey Doctoral Programme in Psychotherapeutic and Counselling Psychology. Having trained in several different models, namely: Cognitive Behavioural, Psychodynamic and Humanistic, each one offers a different emphasis on how understanding and treatment is achieved. However, whilst I have shown efficacy in the use of these models, I am also committed to the incorporation of clinical evidence within my work and decision making.

In addition to the Doctorate in Psychology, I also have an MSc in Applied Psychology from the University of Surrey and a Diploma in Psychology from the Open University.

Prior to and during my training as a Counselling Psychologist, I worked with a wide range of psychological difficulties in both individual and group settings. These contexts included charities, private enterprise and the National Health Service. Psychological difficulties that I worked with included both those of a more transient nature as well as those that were severe and enduring. I have completed level 1, 2 and 3 of EMDR which enables me to work with simple and more complex traumas.
I have also further developed my work with couples encountering relationship difficulties and have additional diploma qualifications in this area of therapeutic work.

As well as therapeutic work, I also have a continuing interest in research. Thus whilst current and emerging research will always inform my practice, I also have a strong interest in undertaking and publishing research. My areas of interest include ‘Post Traumatic Stress Disorder’, the ‘Construction of Professions’ and ‘Discourse Analysis’.

Published work

  • Hemsley. C. (2013). A thematic analytic exploration of how counselling psychologists in the UK experience and position themselves in relation to the NICE guidelines.Counselling Psychology Review, 28 (2), 91-106.
  • Hemsley, C. (2013). An enquiry into how counselling psychology in the UK is constructed as a profession within discipline orientated publications. Counselling Psychology Review , 28 (1), 8-23.
  • Hemsley, C. (2010). Why this trauma and why now? The contribution that psychodynamic theory can make to the understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder. Counselling Psychology Review, 25, (2), 13-20.
  • Hemsley, C.M. (2011).  A thematic analytic exploration of  the experience of being a counselling psychologist in the medicalized context offered by the NICE guidelines and consideration of how the profession is positioning itself in relation to them.  Unpublished practitioner doctorate (PsychD-Psychotherapeutic and Counselling Psychology) portfolio. Under preparation for submission for publication.