Head & Heart Psychology
Dr. Gillian Agnew Clinical Psychologist
Background & Training
I completed my first degree in Psychology BSc in Queen's University, Belfast, before going on to do further postgraduate training. This included a Masters degree in Applied Psychology with distinction through the University of Ulster. I worked in both a learning disabilities resettlement setting and as an associate psychologist in Adult Mental Health before returning to complete my Clinical Psychology Doctoral training at Queen's University, Belfast.
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I have gained a comprehensive range of experiences in assessing and treating individuals across the lifespan in NHS and non-NHS mental health services including working age adults (CMHT), older adults (65+), looked after children services, and intellectual disabilities in children and adult services. Throughout my education and training I took an interest in psychodynamically informed practice and I have utilised psychodynamic therapy and supervision in my work where appropriate.
I have continued my professional development engaging in further training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, and Compassion focused therapy (CFT) approaches. I have an advanced supervisor certificate from QUB and I have previous experience of supervising trainees, CBT and DBT therapists, assistants and qualified psychologists and other healthcare professionals. I am an accredited Schema Therapist for working with individuals by the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST).
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I am well practiced in the treatment of a wide range of difficulties, including depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, personality and interpersonal difficulties, voice hearing and bi-polar difficulties, with individuals of varying ages and in all levels of severity.
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NHS Experience
I have over 10 years of experience working within the NHS. Particularly, I have worked in the specialism of Adult Mental Health, with young people, active age adults and older adults.
Since 2015 I have almost exclusively worked within Mental Health settings allowing me to further develop my expertise in this area. From 2015 - 2018, I worked as a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Clinical Psychologist in a Community Adult Mental Health and Psychological Therapies Service in Northern Ireland.
From 2018, I was employed as a Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist in a busy Acute Adult Mental Health Hospital in Belfast. In this setting I work with inpatients in groups, individually, and throughout their admission and discharge from this setting.
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Since 2022, I work within a busy adult mental health outpatient setting within the Health Service Executive (HSE), Ireland.
Other Experiences
Alongside my NHS roles I have also worked with the charitable sector. I have been interested in private practice and have started to develop a dynamic service. I am trained and experienced in providing assessment and therapy for clients across the lifespan and in my private practice I can offer therapy to adolescents, adults and couples.
Professional Registration
I am registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC; the body that regulates the profession of psychology).
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My work adheres to the Codes of Practice of my profession.
Professional Validation
I am validated by the respective Department of Health authorities to work as a Clinical Psychologist in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.