Dr Chloe Hughes

Hi! I’m Chloe and I’m a Clinical Psychologist.

I have worked in mental health services for 8 years and have experience in services that support adults and children/families. I completed Clinical Psychology Doctorate at Lancaster University and have experience using a range of psychological models. I am passionate about ensuring people receive care that is holistic and individualised.

My doctoral research focused on how Premenstrual Syndrome, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and conditions such as Endometriosis impact the mental health of Trans and Gender Diverse Individuals. The impact of female sex hormones on mental health has always been an interest of mine, and I am passionate about this area, with particular regard for how these difficulties are normalised or dismissed in healthcare.

I am also passionate about how our early years can shape our experiences and how our attachments or early relationships can inform how we relate to ourselves and others, which is why I utilise relational approaches in my clinical work.

When we first meet, it is my priority to make you feel at ease and comfortable. I would like to get to know you and how best to support you as an individual. I will meet you where you are currently and join alongside you to hopefully get where you’d like to be, in a compassionate (yet warmly challenging) way to encourage change. This includes being transparent and open, taking a genuine, human approach.

I use a range of therapeutic approaches and often work integratively. I draw from Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and Psychodynamic Approaches mainly, but also frequently utilise Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Systemic Practice. My approach is always holistic and personalised to each individual’s unique needs and circumstances.

I often work relationally and systemically, which means that I understand mental health difficulties in the context of wider relationships and wider systems (i.e. communities/families), which means the problem is not solely located in the individual. This also includes using the therapeutic relationship as a here-and-now tool to help understand and change patterns of relating to yourself and others.

In my experience I have worked with people experiencing low self-esteem/self-criticism; stress; depression; anxiety-related presentations including OCD, Health Anxiety, Panic and Social Anxiety; difficulties in relationships with others; relational trauma or attachment difficulties. Further to this I have interest in working with those experiencing PMS, PMDD or other gynaecological health concerns.

I have experience working with adults, children, young people and families, parents, women within the perinatal period (pregnancy – up to age 2 of infant) and people with complex mental health needs (such as those that may attract a personality disorder diagnosis), and those who have experienced adverse childhood experiences.

Outside of psychology, I love to spend time with my puppy, family and friends. I enjoy creative activities with friends. I enjoy going on long walks in the countryside that often end in a lovely pub meal and the occasional shandy.