Sophie Holmes

Working with those who support, live with, or parent someone who struggles with psychological difficulties is such an important part of the work of clinical psychologists. Whilst many people will find therapy helpful, there is often less help offered for families, friends, partners, yet there are usually many things we can do to help others when they are struggling.

My story

I have personal experience of caring for others, and this led to my interest in psychology, as I wanted to understand more about the difficulties my mother was dealing with. My psychology degree in 1987 gave me a thorough basis in Child Development, Understanding Mental Health, Cognitive Psychology and Organisational Psychology. But it was the application of psychology to real world problems that drew me to professional training as a Clinical Psychologist. I was fortunate to be in Oxford learning from the cutting-edge research that was taking place and has led to such well-established evidence for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. I found the collaborative approach of CBT suited me well, and making sure families, carers, parents were included in treatment has hugely benefited the person in therapy. I also see a really important role in supporting families, and carers when the person does not wish to work with a therapist. There is still much that can be done to support your relative, friend, or client in understanding general psychological principles that underlie ‘making change’ or managing ongoing difficulties.

Therapies

Family meetings, Individual sessions for Carers, Parents, and those supporting someone with psychological difficulties.

I also offer Psychological Consultation to Teams, Services, Homes, where a psychological perspective can be helpful.

Supervision & Consultation for those working in mental health and intellectual disability services, both statutory services and those working independently.

Teaching and Staff Training

Accreditations and Registrations

Accredited Cognitive Behaviour Therapist with the BABCP No 7246

BPS Chartered Psychologist AFBPsS no 033675

BPS Registered Supervisor

BPS Approved National Assessor for appointment of Consultant Clinical Psychologists

HCPC Register no PYL16640

Publications & Media

How useful is social media in terms of mental health? Sussex cricket club video series 2021 https://sussexcricket.frog.net/video/7629

BPS (2021) Family Intervention for Psychosis; Guidelines for working with families and social networks

Ch 7 Griffiths, Burbach & Holmes ‘Adaptations for different family groups’

Meddings, S., Walsh, L., Patmore, L., Louise, K., McKenzie, E., & Holmes, S. (2019) To what extent does Sussex Recovery College reflect its community? An equalities and Diversity Audit Mental Health & Social Inclusion Vol 23 3 136-144

National Housing Federation (2016) Hoarding: Key considerations and examples of best practice

Holmes, S. (2015) A Psychological Perspective on Hoarding DCP Good Practice Guidelines BPS: Leicester

Rossiter, R & Holmes, S. (2013) ‘Access all areas: creative adaptations for CBT with people with cognitive impairments – illustrations and issues’ The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist 6 e9 1-16

Obsessive Compulsive Hoarder: The Big Clear Out (First shown on C4 4/7/2012)

Hughes, H, Meddings, S., Vandrevala, T., Holmes, S. & Hayward, M.  (2011) Carer’s Experience of Assertive Outreach Journal of Mental Health 20 1 70-78

Holmes, S. & Morton, A. (2005) Walking the Talking Therapy – How Trusts can improve access to CBT for people with Psychoses Mental Health Today July/August 29-31