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ABOUT ME

I am an experienced clinical psychologist with over 15 years of research and clinical experience. My passion for psychology started early on in my adolescence. I feel incredibly grateful for being able to follow my vocation, which enriches my life immensely. This also drives my continuous efforts to enhance my therapeutic skills and engage in psychological training. I started my career in clinical research at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, where I worked as a research psychologist and completed a PhD. I went on to complete a doctorate in clinical psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London. I am now working in private practice and mental health services. ​My work is influenced by attachment-based and trauma-informed clinical approaches to therapy. I am interested in therapies that enable emotional processing and recovery from painful and traumatic life experiences. ​I am married to my British husband, who is the reason why I moved from Germany to the UK in 2008. We have 2 children and live in East Sussex. ​I am registered and regulated by the Health & Care Professions Council (HPCP); registration ID PYL34497.

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MY QUALIFICATIONS

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MASTER IN PSYCHOLOGY

2003 - 2008

I studied psychology in Berlin, where I grew up. During my studies I was particularly interested in Health and Clinical Psychology. I completed my thesis on theory-based health promotion and its effectiveness to increase self-efficacy. I completed my Masters with a distinction.

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PHD IN PSYCHOLOGY

2008 - 2011

After my studies I started to work at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London in the Department of Eating Disorders as a full-time researcher. Under the supervision of Prof Janet Treasure and Prof Ulrike Schmidt, I completed a PhD on the impact eating disorders have on family dynamics and how parents can support the person with the eating disorder most effectively. Additionally, I worked clinically at the Maudsley Hospital in the Eating Disorder Outpatient Unit.

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DOCTORATE IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

2011 - 2015

I completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London. During this time, I worked in IAPT (primary care adult mental health services), at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children - Autism Services, and at University College London Hospital - Perinatal Service.  During my doctorate, I trained intensively in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). I also trained  in Compassionate-Focussed, Mindfulness-Based, and Psychodynamic therapeutic approaches.

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EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITISATION AND REPROCESSING (EMDR)

2019 - 2021

I am completing my EMDR consultancy training with Alexandra Richman, one of the nations leading EMDR consultant. EMDR is a highly effective psychotherapy that is now used for almost every clinical presentation. Initially developed by Francine Shapiro to treat clients with trauma-related symptoms, EMDR protocols have been developed for anxiety and mood disorders and further mental health presentations (i.e. eating disorders). Please see here for further information: https://emdrassociation.org.uk

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EMOTION FOCUSSED THERAPY (EFT)

2019

I trained in EFT with Prof Robert Elliot at the Salomon's Centre for Applied Psychology, Canterbury University. The aim of EFT is to enable a client to become aware and to process emotions. Emotions are seen as key factor of someone's identity. Therapy aims to support clients to become aware of their emotions and understand the processes involved in avoiding feelings. Subsequently, it is intended to enable to client to become more comfortable accepting and managing their feelings and experiences change in well-being and personal growth.

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YOUTH MINDFULNESS COURSE

2020

I completed a youth mindfulness course with Michael Bready. Mindfulness practise has been a significant part of my personal and clinical life for many years and I am excited to be able to teach mindfulness to young people now. See here for more information: https://youthmindfulness.org

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CURRENT EMPLOYMENT

ASSOCIATED RESEARCH DEGREE SUPERVISOR CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY – DEPARTMENT FOR APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY

CONSULTANT CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT TULIPCARE – THERAPEUTIC RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN IN LONDON AND KENT

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT CYGNET GODDEN GREEN ADOLESCENT INPATIENT UNIT SEVENOAKS

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST IN PRIVATE PRACTICE

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PAST EMPLOYMENT

I HAVE WORKED AS A RESEARCH PSYCHOLOGIST AT THE MAX-PLANCK INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, BERLIN, GERMANY AND AT THE INSTITUTE OF PSYCHIATRY, KING'S COLLEGE LONDON, UK.

MY CLINICAL WORK INCLUDED SERVICES AND HOSPITALS SUCH AS THE CHARITÉ, BERLIN (PSYCHOSOMATIC DEPARTMENT), MAUDSLEY HOSPITAL (EATING DISORDER DEPARTMENT), PRIMARY MENTAL HEALTH CARE (IAPT FOR ADULTS), GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (AUTISM SERVICE), AND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITAL (PERINATAL SERVICE).

I PROVIDE CONSULTATIONS AND CLINICAL WORK TO SCHOOLS. I WORKED AT VALLEY PARK SCHOOL MAIDSTONE, KENT AS A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, PROVIDING THERAPEUTIC WORK TO VULNERABLE AND AT-RISK YOUNG PEOPLE IN ADDITION TO OFFERING CONSULTATION AND SUPPORT TO STAFF.

©2020 by Dr Simone Raenker

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