Dr Hannah has extensive experience of working with individuals, couples, and families across the lifespan, who are experiencing a range of mental health difficulties. She has a BSc (hons) undergraduate degree in Psychology, a MSc (distinction) in Applied Clinical Psychology, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (D.Clin.Psy).
Hannah works privately and in the NHS. In her NHS post she specialises in working with individuals and families in the perinatal and postnatal period, supporting pregnant individuals, new parents, and families with infants up to their second birthday. Her expertise in the NHS encompasses a broad spectrum of mental health challenges, including postnatal depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, perinatal anxiety, trauma and PTSD, and parent-infant bonding/attachment difficulties.
Hannah’s doctoral thesis was titled ‘meaning making in motherhood’ and explores adult women’s journey to posttraumatic growth in motherhood, following childhood sexual abuse.
This specialised knowledge underscores her skilled perspective on trauma-informed approaches, posttraumatic growth, personal journeys, and the exploration of self and identity. In her therapeutic practice Dr Nicholson adopts a compassionate and empowering approach to therapy, tailoring interventions to an individuals’ presentation, preference, and need. She draws on a range of psychological therapy models, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Systemic Family Approaches. Dr Nicholson is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a NICE recommended therapy for trauma related difficulties.
Dr Hannah ensures a comprehensive and personalised therapy experience, to help people to connect to their personal life values, and goals.
Health and Care Professions Council registered Practitioner Psychologist : PYL041502
Areas of expertise
- Parent-infant psychotherapy
- Trauma and posttraumatic growth
- Post-traumatic stress
- Relational difficulties
- Personality difficulties
- Pre-natal and postnatal difficulties (postnatal depression, anxiety, maternal obsessive- compulsive disorder, bonding difficulties, attachment difficulties, birth and perinatal trauma, among others)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Emotional regulation or literacy difficulties
- Grief, loss, and adjustment
- Formulation and exploration of life values and goals
Academic/professional qualifications
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology – University of Liverpool
- MSc Applied Clinical Psychology- University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN)
- BSc Psychology – University of Liverpool
Further Relevant Training
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)- Level 4
- Attachment Narrative Therapy (ANT)
- Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) workshops including for perinatal distress.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) workshops including for perinatal loss
- Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) for perinatal distress
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for perinatal loss
- Working with Couples in the perinatal period (Tavistock)
- Mindfulness for health and long-term condition management
- Perinatal Clinical Psychology Training (HEE funded)- Parent-infant relationship difficulties, emotional regulation difficulties, perinatal eating disorders, complex interventions in perinatal practice
Publications
- Taylor, P, McDonald, J., Smith, M., Nicholson, H., & Forrester, R (2019). Distinguishing people with current, past, and no history of non-suicidal self-injury: Shame, social comparison, and self-concept integration. The Journal of Affective Disorders.
- Blythin, S., Nicholson, H., Dickson, J., Fox, F & Taylor, P (2017). Experiences of Shame and Guilt in Clinical Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa Presentations: A Systematic Review. The Journal of psychology & psychotherapy: Theory, research & practice
- Hughes, M., Knowles, S., Nicholson, H & Taylor, P (2017). Exploring the factors that contribute to an increased risk of self-harm and suicide in alternative subcultures: a systematic review. The Journal of Clinical Psychology
- Nicholson, H & Harkness, L (2014). A timeline of policy for the provision of dementia care: England (2001-2013). Dementia Action Alliance