Dr Christina Loucas
My Experience
I’ve been working in psychological services since 2011 and predominantly in the NHS since 2014. I’ve worked with individuals and families across the lifespan, although my specialism is children and adolescents. Having worked as a Senior Clinical Psychologist in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services for several years, I’ve gained experience working with a range of presentations and difficulties, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Behaviour problems
- Improving parent-child relationships
- OCD
- Low self-esteem
- Self-harm
- Trauma
- Managing emotions
- Autism
- ADHD
- Learning disabilities
In my current NHS role, I am working on a research trial, investigating a personalised programme for children with behavioural difficulties. The programme involves gaining an in-depth understanding of the child and family from the onset and using this to tailor treatment to parents’ and children’s unique needs. Prior to this, my NHS role was largely leadership-focused, where I offered supervision to trainee and junior Clinical Psychologists and consultation to the team and wider agencies, as well as seeing young people and families for therapy. Outside of my NHS role, I enjoy teaching and lecture at a London University. Before training as a Clinical Psychologist, I worked in psychological research, where I published papers reviewing treatments for different conditions.
My Values
It is of utmost importance to me that my clients feel listened to, understood, and assured that we are working together on what is important for them. I aim to create a safe therapeutic space, where my clients feel comfortable to explore their difficulties, free from judgement. I strive to help my clients learn about themselves and feel confident in making changes to meet their goals. I try to make therapy as collaborative as possible; I will regularly check in with my clients to ensure that therapy is meeting their needs and we are making progress in their valued direction. By the end of therapy, I hope my clients feel that they have achieved what they wanted from therapy and feel empowered to take the next steps on whatever their journey may be.
The Models I work with
I believe it is important to follow the evidence-base, whilst also tailoring techniques and methods used to the clients’ individual preferences and presentation. The main therapeutic model that I use is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). However, I also draw on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Narrative, and Systemic therapy. I also have specialist training in supporting parents of younger children with behavioural difficulties, via attachment-based approaches.
Clinic Information
I hold an online clinic on a Thursday daytime and specialises in working with children, adolescents and their families.
Training and Qualifications
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), King’s College London (2017)
- BSc (Hons) Psychology (First Class), Royal Holloway, University of London (2011)
- Advanced Clinical Supervisor Training (UCL/UEL/RHUL, 2022)
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) (The Association for Psychological Therapies (APT), 2022)
- Positive Behaviour Support (isupportbehaviour, 2022)
- Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R) (Compass Psychology, 2021)
- Therapeutic Assessment for Adolescents with Self-Harm (Dr Dennis Ougrin, 2021)
- Parent-led CBT for Anxiety – Supervisor training (N&S CAMHS, Trauma, Anxiety and Depression clinic, 2021)
- DBT Skills (N&S CAMHS DBT service, 2020)
- Cognitive Therapy for PTSD for multiple trauma (Prof Richard Meiser-Stedman, 2020)
- Behavioural Activation, Supervisor training (N&S CAMHS, Trauma, Anxiety and Depression clinic, 2020)
- Cognitive Therapy for PTSD in Children and Young People (N&S CAMHS, Trauma, Anxiety and Depression clinic, 2020)
- School refusal (Dr Rebecca Linnell, SDS Seminars, 2020)
- Diagnosis and Intervention with Children and Adolescents with Autism (Prof Tony Attwood, 2020)
- Supercharge Your Practice with CBT+ Integrating CBT, ACT, DBT and CFT (Dr Fiona Kennedy, Greenwood Mentors, 2019)
- Trauma-focused CBT (Dr David Trickey, 2019)
- Clinical Supervisor Training (UCL/UEL/RHUL, 2019)
- The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) (Marianna Murin, GOSH, 2018)
- The Fostering Changes programme (N&S Adoption & Fostering Clinic, 2017)
- Personalised Individual Parent Training (PIPT) (N&S Adoption & Fostering Clinic, 2017)
Professional Registration
HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist – Registration number: PYL34980