Dr Amy Kirby

Principal Clinical Psychologist & EMDR Therapist

Pronouns: She/Her

Dr. Amy Kirby, a compassionate and skilled Clinical Psychologist and EMDR Therapist, brings a rich background of experience to her practice. With a qualification from the University of Birmingham in 2012, she has honed her expertise through diverse roles in both the NHS and private sectors.

Amy's online practice focuses on adults but also encompasses work with children, families, and couples. She is adept at helping individuals grappling with a broad spectrum of challenges, including anxiety, depression, chronic stress, trauma, PTSD, personality disorders, and bipolar disorder. Her approach is deeply empathic and tailored, aiming to develop a shared understanding of each client's journey and collaborate on a forward path that involves skill development and resilience building.

Specialising in a wide array of mental health issues, Amy effectively addresses mood and emotional difficulties, trauma, personality disorders, and relationship or interpersonal difficulties. Her expertise extends to managing anger, various forms of anxiety, body image issues, grief, LGBTQI+ related issues, self-esteem problems, parenting challenges, and more.

In her therapeutic toolbox, Amy utilizes a range of models including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR, Compassion Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Integrative Therapy, Mindfulness, Person-centred therapy, and Couples Therapy. Her qualifications and continuous professional development, including a PGCert in Enhanced CBT for Psychological Trauma and Personality Development from Oxford University, underscore her commitment to providing the highest standard of care.

Working with adults aged 19-65 years, Amy is dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment where clients can explore their difficulties, develop new perspectives, and work towards meaningful recovery goals. Her approach is both holistic and insightful, making her an invaluable guide on the journey towards mental and emotional wellness.

Amy Specialises in the treatment of;

  • Mood and emotional difficulties (depression, anxiety)

  • Trauma

  • Personality disorders

  • Relationship/interpersonal difficulties

Below are the problems Amy is extremely experienced in treating:

  • Anger

  • Anxiety - Stress

  • Anxiety - Agoraphobia

  • Anxiety - Generalised (GAD)

  • Anxiety - Health

  • Panic / Panic Attacks

  • Anxiety - Performance

  • Anxiety - Separation

  • Anxiety - Fears of abandonment

  • Anxiety - Social

  • Anxiety - Phobias

  • Bi-Polar Disorder

  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

  • Body Image Problems

  • Depression - Low Mood

  • Depression - Major

  • Perinatal Anxiety

  • Perinatal Depression

  • Depression - Seasonal Affective Disorder

  • Emotional Regulation

  • Family Issues - Adoption

  • Family Issues - Blended families

  • Family Issues - Conflict

  • Gender Identity Issues

  • Grief / Bereavement / Loss

  • LGBTQI+ Related Issues

  • Low Self-Esteem

  • Parenting Issues

  • Perfectionism

  • Personality Disorders

  • Pregnancy & Birth

  • Relationship - Attachment issues

  • Relationship - Codependency

  • Relationship - Communication difficulties

  • Relationship - Doubt in relationship

  • Relationship - Infidelity, affairs & betrayals

  • Relationship - Intimacy

  • Relationship - Separation & Divorce

  • Sleep - Problems

  • Sleep - Insomnia

  • Trauma - Childhood Trauma

  • Trauma - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Trauma - Complex PTSD

  • Trauma - Road Traffic Accidents

  • Career Coaching

  • Work - General

  • Work - Bullying

  • Work - Stress

LGBTQI+ Friendly - I am fully up to date with diversity training and am passionate about affirming and inclusive care and I am a member of an LGBTQI+ staff network working on ensuring this within the NHS.

Amy is highly experienced in the use of the following therapy models

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • BABCP Accredited CBT Therapist

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Eye Movement Desensitisation Regulation (EMDR)

  • Compassion Focused Therapy

  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

  • Integrative Therapy

  • Mindfulness

    Person-centred therapy

  • Mindfulness

    Person-centred therapy

    Schema

  • Couples Therapy

  • Interpersonal therapy

  • Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy

    Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)

    Amy Works with:

    • Adults (19-65 Years)

    Amy’s Qualifications & accreditations

  • HCPC Clinical Psychologist - PYL28624

  • 2022 - current PGCert in Enhanced CBT for Psychological Trauma and personality development - Oxford University

  • 2020 – 2021 EMDR Europe Accredited Training (EMDR Academy)

  • 2016 Foundation DBT Training (British Isles DBT Training)

  • 2012 Association Of Psychological Therapies (APT) RAID Tutor training

  • 2009 - 2012 Birmingham University - ClinPsyD (Doctorate in Clinical Psychology)

  • April 2008 - Stonebridge Associated College (Accredited by ASET)

  • August 2008 Diploma - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Pass - Grade A

  • Sep 2002 - Aston University - BSc Human Psychology

  • July 2006 2:1 with honours

What is a clinical Psychologist?

A Clinical Psychologist is a mental health professional who specialises in diagnosing, treating, and preventing a wide range of psychological issues and mental illnesses.

They have advanced training, usually including a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, which equips them to use various evidenced based therapeutic techniques and psychological assessments.

Unlike psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists typically do not prescribe medication; instead, they focus on using talk therapy and other non-medical interventions to help individuals understand and overcome their challenges, improve their mental well-being, and manage their mental health effectively.

What is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidenced based & well researched talking therapy. It is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for many mental health problems.

It is most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for many other mental and physical health problems.

CBT focuses upon how your thoughts and behaviours impact upon your emotions and physical symptoms.

CBT is collaborative treatment and typically involves doing homework tasks between appointments.

It aims to teach you to become your own therapist, teaching you tools so you can keep using the strategies and techniques you have learned after you have finished therapy.

What is EMDR?

EMDR Stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing.

When a person experiences psychological trauma or highly stressful events, they are not always able to process the relevant information (i.e. thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations). As a result, they can end up getting “stuck” inside of them and can resurface later on, as if the person was still reliving the traumatic or stressful event.

EMDR aims to ‘process’ negative experiences or events which can subsequently improve emotional well-being and help to significantly reduce, but more often eliminate distressing symptoms and bodily sensations associated with the trauma.

In 2013, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has also acknowledged EMDR as being an effective treatment approach to psychological trauma and trauma-related disorders.

 
 

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