Dr Abigail Watkinson

Dr Abi Watkinson is a Clinical Psychologist with experience across adult mental health, specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and forensic settings. She has worked with individuals experiencing a range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including trauma, anxiety, low mood, OCD, emotional dysregulation, low self-esteem and more complex mental health needs. She also has experience working with neurodivergent populations.

Abi trained as a Clinical Psychologist through the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Surrey. Prior to this, she studied English and Classical Literature at the University of Leeds, followed by an MSc at King’s College London exploring the psychological impact of war and trauma, and an MSc in Psychology at the University of Westminster.

This breadth of experience has shaped Abi’s warm, thoughtful and compassionate approach. She works collaboratively to help individuals make sense of their experiences and understand the patterns contributing to their difficulties. She places particular importance on creating a trusting therapeutic relationship where individuals feel understood and able to be themselves.

Abi draws on a range of psychological approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) and Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT). She has also undertaken training in Systemic Family Therapy, which informs her understanding of how relationships and wider contexts can influence wellbeing.