Imogen Hobbis

I am an HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist and an accredited Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapist, gaining my accreditation with the BABCP in 2013. I have been working in clinical practice for 20 years, gaining a wealth of experience in different settings and with many different presentations.   

My compassionate and empathic approach aims to help people make sense of their difficulties and to find alternative, more helpful ways to approach the things that cause them distress. I use individualised and tailored approaches encompassing the specific and unique needs of each person, drawing on skills and techniques appropriate to their concerns.   

As a clinical psychologist, I have completed an in-depth evidence-based doctoral training meaning I can use an integrative approach to therapy, drawing on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy and psychodynamic thinking to inform my practice.    

I have long experience of working in private practice in Norwich since 2006. Currently I mainly work with adults, specialising in anxiety disorders and mood disorders, including anxiety, depression and phobias, low self-esteem, grief and bereavement, and post-traumatic stress disorder. I have a longstanding interest in understanding the relationship between physical health and psychological health so also work with unexplained medical symptoms and somatic complaints.  

Originally my background was in research, with experience gained from Sheffield and Cambridge Universities.  I completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of East Anglia. This combination of research and clinical skills and experience enables me to make the best use of the published empirical evidence for psychological interventions, drawing on best practice guidelines and recommendations.  

I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Sheffield, completing a research dissertation into the physical and psychological correlates of eating disorders. This motivated me to pursue an understanding of the dual relationships between psychological and physical symptoms, leading to my PhD on functional somatic symptoms in gastroenterological disorders. 

After qualifying as a clinical psychologist in 1998, I worked in child and adolescent mental health services in community and inpatient settings, gaining experience of working with children and young people, and specialising in adolescent eating disorders. I then returned to research, to pursue my research interests within physical health settings as a post-doctoral research clinical psychologist at the University of Cambridge. I also worked clinically in health settings, including diabetes, and smoking cessation, which enabled me to continue investing in my clinical skills and expertise whilst furthering research experience.   

This dual experience in physical and mental health settings means I am an HCPC registered health psychologist as well as a registered Clinical Psychologist.