DR SARAH SIMMONDS
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
BSc (Hons), DClinPsy, CPsychol, AFBPsS
My Style and Approach
I have over 20 years of experience working with complex mental health presentations in the NHS, private practice and Doctorate training programmes. As such, I specialise in creating bespoke interventions for people where the usual one-size-fits-all approaches haven’t worked. In particular, I specialise in helping people with difficulties related to shame, anxiety, low self esteem and trauma.
But most importantly, I am a down to earth and non-judgemental person who is passionate about helpings others reach their full potential!
My Qualifications and Training
- BSc (Hons) Psychology
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)
- Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Clinical Psychologist (CPsychol) with the British Psychological Society (BPS)
- Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS)
- Level 3 Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Trained
- Compassion Focused Therapy Training (multiple)
Clinical Psychologist Roles
I have extensive experience in working in mental health services where I delivered direct clinical work with people one to one and in group formats. I also have excellent skills in redesigning, developing, and delivering NHS mental health services, including research, training, and consultation. Most recently, I was Lead Psychologist for the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust Mental Health Urgent Care Pathway.
Assistant Professor / Senior Lecturer Role
As an Assistant Professor and Senior Lecturer on the University of Warwick and Coventry University Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme, I delivered teaching, research supervision, mentoring, academic and clinical assessment of trainee clinical psychologists. Alongside this, I provided guidance and support to NHS placement providers to ensure high-quality learning experiences for trainees.
TYPES OF THERAPY
What therapeutic approaches do I offer?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
EMDR is a powerful approach for working with trauma and distressing life experiences. It helps to reduce the emotional intensity of painful memories by supporting the brain’s natural healing processes. EMDR can be particularly helpful if you’re struggling with PTSD, anxiety, low self-esteem, or the impact of difficult past events that continue to affect you in the present.
Attachment-Informed Therapy
Our early relationships shape the way we relate to ourselves and others. When those early connections were inconsistent, neglectful, or painful, it can leave lasting patterns that show up in adult relationships, self-worth, and emotional regulation. An attachment-informed approach gently explores these patterns, helping you to understand their origins and begin to build healthier, more secure ways of relating, both to others and to yourself.
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Many people struggle with an inner critic, feelings of shame, or a deep sense of not being good enough. Compassion Focused Therapy helps to develop a more kind, balanced, and understanding relationship with yourself. It’s grounded in neuroscience and helps to soothe the threat system in the brain, making space for self-acceptance, emotional strength, and connection.
Internal Family Systems
IFS is a powerful approach that explores the various different “parts” of ourselves, like an inner critic, a perfectionist part, a part that sabotages us or a wounded child part. Sometimes these parts can pitch up and take over in ways that we don’t want. In IFS, we work to understand and heal these inner parts so you can feel more integrated, calm, and connected to your core self, which is the part of you that is naturally compassionate, wise, and grounded.
Polyvagal Informed Therapy
Grounded in the science of the nervous system, polyvagal-informed therapy helps you understand how your body responds to stress, threat, and safety. By tuning into your physiological responses such as ‘shutdown’, ‘fight and flight’, we can work to restore a sense of safety and connection. This body-aware approach can be especially helpful for trauma, anxiety, and emotional regulation, and supports you in feeling more grounded and resilient.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
How do I ensure the highest standards and quality?
Indemnity Insurance
I am fully insured with professional indemnity and liability insurance.
Data Protection and Security
I am registered with the Information Commissioners Office and have undertaken training in data protection to ensure I have a business that is secure and maintains your confidentiality. As is essential for any business that processes the personal data of clients, I have cyber insurance to ensure that in the unlikely event of a cyber incident, I have access to expert support to protect and secure your data in a timely manner.
Clinical Supervision
As a requirement of my registration to practice as a clinical psychologist and to ensure the best possible quality of care I engage in regular clinical supervision of my practice. This enables me to consider the work that I offer and evaluate how well it is working and whether there is anything I could be doing better.
Ongoing Training and Development
The field of clinical psychology and our understanding of the human mind and associated difficulties is ever growing and developing. As such it is important to me that I keep up to date with current ideas and practices to ensure I am offering the best service I possibly can. It is also a requirement of my professional registration to engage in regular professional development and training and I can be audited for this.
Design and Publication of Research
Through my academic and NHS roles I contribute to the research evidence base and use this evidence base to ensure I practice to the highest standards. My research profile is located here.
VIDEO APPOINTMENTS
Monday 09:30 – 15:15
Tuesday 09:30 – 15:15
Wednesday 09:30 – 15:15
Friday 09:30 – 15:15
IN-PERSON APPOINTMENTS
Thursday 10:00 – 15:15
CONTACT FORM
Dr Sarah Simmonds will reply via email to discuss your enquiry.
All information is treated in the strictest confidence, unless information you share leads us to have serious concerns for your safety or the safety of another person.
Please see our Privacy Notice which explains how we process your data.