Aims

Dr Alexandra Dent is an experienced Registered and Chartered Clinical Psychologist and EMDR Europe Accredited Consultant and Training Facilitator working with children and adolescents, adults and families. Alexandra is the Company Director of Alexandra Dent Psychological Services Ltd and founder of Heart Led Psychotherapy.  Alexandra developed Heart Led Psychotherapy (HLP) in 2018 to facilitate individuals to live a more heart-led and authentic life as she felt this was missing in many traditional psychotherapies.  She offers HLP as part of her treatment package for individuals who are keen to find more authenticity in different areas of their lives.

Dr Alexandra Dent offers professional Clinical Psychology Services for all individuals across the age span (children, adolescents and adults) who may present with a wide range of difficulties.  She has a clinic based in Rutland, England and also offers online sessions to enable her to with individuals across the United Kingdom and globally.  Online sessions are just as effective as 'in person' sessions.

Alexandra has a non-judgmental, compassionate and empathic manner which encourages the development of strong and effective therapeutic relationships, allowing individuals to explore the nature of the difficulties they are experiencing.
 

Alexandra believes in empowering individuals to promote change as effectively as possible. She facilitates individuals in their learning of coping and resource techniques to confront difficult issues, thereby encouraging psychological growth and minimising dependency on the therapeutic relationship.

Resume

Dr Alexandra Dent completed her first degree in Physiology at Leeds University in 1994. After taking a year out travelling, she then went on to complete a conversion course in Psychology at Nottingham University (B.P.S recognised). Between 1996 and 2013, the majority of her employment was in the N.H.S.

Her first job involved working at the Stroke Research Unit in Nottingham, followed by two years employed as a research assistant at Nottingham University working on a research project for people with Multiple Sclerosis. During both these jobs she was involved in writing up papers for publication and she also completed an MPhil. 

Alexandra went on to complete her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Leicester University, qualifying in 2002. Between 2002 and 2013 she worked in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and her last post was as a Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist, overseeing the input of Clinical Psychology into one of the three CAMHS teams as well as being the Lead Clinician for trauma work in Lincolnshire CAMHS. This required her to be involved in the overall provision of trauma services with particular emphasis on the use of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) as an intervention for trauma. She supervised and provided consultation for Clinical Psychologists, other health care professionals and external agencies. She was involved with both the Leicester and Trent Doctorate in Clinical Psychology course, supervising trainee Clinical Psychologists as well as lecturing on the courses.

Alexandra set up her own independent Clinical Psychology practice in March 2012. In June 2013, she left the NHS to concentrate on building up her own independent practice in the East Midlands which has now formed Alexandra Dent Psychological Services Ltd. Alexandra offers EMDR supervision to both Child & Adolescent and Adult EMDR clinicians.

Alexandra is the author of 'Using Spirituality in Psychotherapy: The Heart Led Approach to Clinical Practice' which was published in May 2019. She also co-authored a book entitled 'Using Stories in EMDR: A Guide to the Storytelling (Narrative) Approach in EMDR Therapy' by Logie, R., Bowers, M., Dent, A., Elliott, J., O'Connor, M., Russell, A. (2020) and all proceeds of this book go to Trauma Aid UK.

In 2021, Alexandra produced 3 video workshops that teach valuable resources and coping strategies to manage the stresses and challenges in life. These cover psychoeducation, Mindfulness and also how to live a heart led and authentic life.

Alexandra had to ‘walk the walk to talk the talk.’ In other words, she had to experience her own challenges and traumas as part of her individual journey and awakening process which eventually resulted in the development of HLP. Alexandra talks openly about some of her challenges in her book and video workshops. She highlights that within each challenge there lies a gift of embracing a life lesson and the opportunity to find or deepen one’s own self-love, self-worth and self-belief and authenticity that comes from living a mindful, heartful and soulful existence.

Alexandra embraces a heart led life and is passionate about the importance of daily self care.  She loves connecting with nature, gardening, walking, tennis, yoga and is a regular meditator. She is also a proud mother of her two amazing children, one of whom has complex neurodevelopmental and psychological issues.

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Physiology, University of Leeds, 1994
• Diploma in Psychology, University of Nottingham, 1996
• MPhil Psychology, University of Nottingham, 1999
• Doctorate of Clinical Psychology, University of Leicester, 2002
• Chartered Clinical Psychologist (British Psychological Society) (C.Psychol)
• Registered Clinical Psychologist with Health and Care Professions Council
• Accredited Europe EMDR Consultant/Clinical Supervisor
  
• Accredited Europe EMDR Child & Adolescent Consultant/Clinical Supervisor
  
• Accredited Europe EMDR Training Facilitator
• DDP trained Level 1 & 2
  
• APT Mindfulness Level 1 and Level 2
• Dancing Mindfulness Facilitator
• EFT Practitioner

Trained in HeartMath® (And was a Licensed Coach from November 2021 to November 2022).