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Alexandra Dench
Counselling Psychologist
BSc, MSc, PGdip
she/her

Bedford Consulting Rooms
Weekdays

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Alex qualified as a Counselling Psychologist in 2016 and has since worked in the NHS with young people, families and adults with mild to moderate mental health difficulties. She is registered with HCPC and IPTuk. Alex offers various therapy approaches to suit the individual she is supporting. Alex uses a range of age appropriate therapeutic and evidence-based interventions to help young people and adults to identify, understand and process their emotions. Alex supports her clients to learn the skills of managing emotions, problem solving and perspective taking. She has a caring and person-centred approach to children, families and adults of all backgrounds. Alex supports her clients to gain the most of therapy and rediscover their strengths. She promotes self-care and effective, healthy coping strategies. 

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Alex's core models are CBT and IPT-A:

- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for low mood, social, separation, generalised anxiety, OCD, phobia, and panic. CBT for anxiety related to undiagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions including Autism and ADHD. Focusing on the contemporary model for neurodiversity and celebrating the client’s strengths.

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- Interpersonal psychotherapy for adolescents with depression (IPT-A), a form of psychotherapy for young people ages 13-18 who are suffering from moderate/severe depression. This focuses on reducing conflict and improving quality of relationships to relieve symptoms. It is a structured approach of 12 sessions with the adolescent. Additional sessions with caregivers can be agreed if the young person wishes to involve them in the therapy.

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- Parents are recommended to join sessions with younger children. Working with adolescents, parents are provided with resources, offered feedback when appropriate and involved with the child’s consent. Alex also offers parent support for young people who self-harm and behave in outwardly aggressive ways using Non-violent Resistance Parent Training. 

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Memberships

  • Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)

  • IPT UK

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Key skills & Experience​

  • Working with children, adolescents, their families and wider network

  • Conducting mental health assessments

  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy for adolescents (IPT-A) and IPT informed work for adults with moderate/severe depression

  • CBT for low mood, anxiety, social anxiety OCD, phobia and panic

  • Person Centered Therapy

  • Specialising in bereavement counselling for all ages

  • Providing clinical supervision

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NHS experience

  • Counselling Psychologist, CAMHS Emotional and Behavioural team and Autism Assessment Pathway, May 2023-present

  • Counselling Psychologist and Triage Manager, CHUMS CIC, Bedfordshire - April 2016-April 2023​

 

Relevant qualifications & training:

  • Non-violent Resistance Parent Training NVR - 2023

  • ADOS Assessment Professional Training - 2024

  • Supervision in clinical practice, University of Herts, 2022

  • Family based IPTA, Anna Freud Centre, 2021

  • Safeguarding training, LSBC, 2021

  • IPT-AST, Anna Freud Centre, 2020

  • Diploma in Interpersonal Psychotherapy, IAPT training, UCL, 2019

  • Enhanced-Evidence Based Practice, IAPT training University of Reading, 2016

  • Bereavement training – workshop and individual support, CHUMS,  2013

  • MSc in Social Psychology, Sofia University, Bulgaria (Distinction), 2012

  • Certificate in general counselling, University of Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria (Pass), 2011

  • BSc in Psychology, University of Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria (First-class degree), 2010

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