Counselling Psychologist

I am Dr Amy Lucas a Counselling Psychologist with over 25 years’ experience in the NHS, specialising in supporting people with the impact of Trauma and PTSD, Anxiety and Depression and Chronic Stress and Burnout.
You might be feeling anxious, on-edge or unable to relax or
Troubled by memories or past experiences that feel hard to switch off or move on from
Feeling emotional pain in relation to 'small' things as if something deeper is triggered.
Feeling emotionally exhausted or burnt out in a personal or professional capacity.
Carrying a sense of shame or harsh self-criticism.
Noticing patterns in relationships that repeat.
Tried therapy before but didn’t feel fully understood.
Therapy with me goes beyond the labels you may have been given like Trauma and PTSD, Anxiety, Depression and Burnout. I ask “what happened to you?” and “what matters to you now?” rather than “what’s wrong with you?” and together we create a therapy plan that fits your unique experiences and priorities and work towards goals that matter and bring joy.
As well as individual therapy, I can also offer specialist assessment sessions if you are unsure about your needs, or if you have complex or overlapping difficulties. This can be a one-off session or a short series of sessions.

How I Work
Following my Doctoral training in Counselling Psychology, I have also completed additional specialist training in a range of evidence-based therapies. This means I can draw on different approaches to suit you—working flexibly around your needs, goals, and what feels most helpful.
In practice, this means we might:
- Explore how past experiences have shaped the way you think and feel
- Build stability and a sense of safety in yourself before gently processing difficult or traumatic experiences
- Understand relationship patterns such as self-criticism, people-pleasing or perfectionism which drive anxiety and burnout.
- Develop evidence based techniques to manage Anxiety, Worry, OCD, Chronic Stress, Shame and Overwhelming Emotions

I draw on a range of evidence-based approaches, including:
- Psychodynamic therapy (understanding deeper patterns and relationships)
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) (developing coping skills and tools)
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) (reducing self-criticism and shame)
- Mindfulness-based approaches (helping you feel more grounded and regulated)
- EMDR (a structured approach for processing trauma and anxiety related difficulties)
- CBT and CFT for Psychosis – to reduce distress associated with hearing voices and suspicious beliefs.

About Me
My practice is informed not only by professional training, but also by a deep understanding of how inter-generational trauma, refugee experiences, health challenges, neurodivergence, family dynamics, parenting, loss, and uncertainty—shape the way we cope and relate. As a Counselling Psychologist I bring expertise in mind-body thinking and support you in finding balance.
With over 25 years in the NHS, including most recently as a Lead Counselling Psychologist in an Early Intervention in Psychosis Service - supervising and managing a team of Psychologists and CBT Therapists, I bring both clinical expertise and leadership experience. Clients often value my calm, steady and compassionate approach—I hold hope even during the most difficult of times, and together we will find a way forward that feels right for you.
I also offer clinical supervision to Clinical and Counselling Psychologists, counsellors and trainees supporting them to think deeply about their work and nurture development.
I offer a free initial online conversation to see whether working together is right for you. If we do decide to work together - I work at your pace - online or in-person - with flexible out-of-hours sessions available to suit your schedule.
I am registered with all major health insurance providers including BUPA, Aviva, AXA, Vitality, WPA
I am registered as a Chartered Counselling Psychologist (CPsychol), with the Health and Care Professions Counsel (HCPC) and with the British Psychological Society.