About Me

I am a Clinical Psychologist with many years of experience working in both the NHS and in private practice

Dr Karen Halford - Clinical Psychologist

My Experience

I have worked in the NHS for over 10 years in several different mental health teams, a rehab unit and a specialist eating disorder unit. I have now also worked in private practice for over 10 years. I work with adults who have been struggling with a variety of psychological difficulties including depression (from mild to severe) including postnatal depression, PTSD/trauma (from one-off events such as accidents to more complex early abuse), bipolar disorder, eating disorders (Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder etc), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety (health, social, generalised anxiety disorder) and low self-esteem. I also work with adults to assess and diagnose ADHD as well as those who have difficulties associated with grief, work-related stress and those who are struggling with their own identity and trying to find their way in the world.

Prior to my psychology training and joining the NHS, I joined the graduate management scheme in Unilever and worked in a marketing/brand management capacity for several years, both in Unilever and other multinational organisations.

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My qualifications in Clinical Psychology

Qualifications

  • Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsych) – Oxford University
  • MSc Applied Psychology – Cranfield University – Class 1
  • BA(Hons) Management Systems – Hull University – Class 2:1
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Studies in Psychology (PsyDip) – Oxford Brookes University – Class 1 (Distinction)
  • My doctoral thesis examined possible factors involved in the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after childbirth
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Further Training

  • Rapid recovery from depression: new strategies for feeling great (Dr David Burns)
  • Rewiring the Anxious Brain (Dr Catherine M Pittman)
  • CBT to uncover strengths and build resilience (Dr Christine Padesky)
  • Various CBT training courses (for OCD, depression, low self-esteem, trauma/PTSD, complex cases and formulation skills) (Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre)
  • CBT for childhood sexual abuse (Dr Helen Kennerley)
  • Compassion-focused therapy for disrupted childhood attachments and trauma (Dr Deborah Lee)
  • Trauma treatment with EMDR, CBT and somatic-based interventions (Dr Jennifer Sweeton)
  • Schema therapy for complex cases, BPD and narcissism and anxious/avoidant PD (Schema Therapy Associates)
  • Time-limited schema therapy (Schema Therapy Associates)
  • DBT (Dr Fiona Kennedy)
  • Psychodynamic principles and practice (Tavistock Centre)
  • Pregnancy and Infant Loss (Dr Julie Binderman)
  • When a parent dies (David Kessler)
  • Defeating Habits and addictions: New life-changing treatment strategies (Dr David Burns)
  • Disordered Drinking: A shame-free approach to helping clients examine their relationship with alcohol (Amanda White)
  • Addictions (Ronnie Aaronson)
  • Acceptance and Commitment therapy (Mindfulness Training Ltd)
  • Advanced Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Depression and Anxiety Disorders (Dr Russ Harris)
  • Mindfulness (Professor Mark Williams)
  • Teaching mindfulness skills to clients (Greyrock Ltd)
  • Clinical Supervision: supervising others (Oxford Doctoral Course in Clinical Psychology)
  • Surviving childhood sexual abuse and thriving in adulthood (Dana Webster-Barrows)
  • EMDR (EMDR Works)
  • EMDR Step-by-step Plus (Linda Curren)
  • Responsibilities & Business for Expert Witness work (BPS)
  • Excellence in Report Writing for Expert Witness work (Bond Solon)
  • Professional certificate in coaching – distinction (Henley Business School)
  • Suicide prevention summit 2021
  • ADHD Assessment and Diagnosis (UKAAN)
  • Psychosocial Support and Skills training for adults with ADHD (UKAAN)
  • ADHD Clinical Services Provider Certification Course: Strengths-based interventions to thrive with ADHD (Psychotherapy Networker)
  • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – 2nd Edition (ADOS-2) (AS Directions Ltd)