Welcome!
I am Holly-Jane Hatcher, the founder and lead psychotherapist at Optimism Psychotherapy & Supervision Services.

Military & Service Connections

With over 15 years of dedicated service in the Royal Navy and firsthand experience working within a combat environment, I bring a wealth of experience from both land and maritime operations to my work. As a veteran, and now Royal Navy Reserve, I understand the unique challenges faced by those who have served, which is why I am deeply committed to providing mental health assistance to military personnel and veterans. My military experiences have shaped my approach to psychotherapy, allowing me to provide empathetic and tailored support to individuals navigating the complexities of military life. Whether it's addressing the stressors of deployment, the demands of high-pressure environments, or the psychological impacts of combat, I integrate insights from my own military service into therapy sessions, fostering a sense of trust and connection with my clients as we work towards healing and resilience.

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My connection to the military doesn't end with my own service; my partner continues to serve in the Royal Navy, further grounding me in the values and ethos of the armed forces. Additionally, growing up in a family of police officers instilled in me a sense of duty, discipline, and service to others; all of which are qualities that continue to shape my approach to both personal and professional endeavours.

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My Qualifications​

MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Supervision & Training (awaiting award), University of Oxford

Postgraduate Diploma in CBT, University of Oxford

PgCert, CBT Complex Presentations, University of Oxford

PgCert, Enhanced CBT, University of Oxford

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Parts 1-4, EMDR Academy

Level 2 Child and Adolescent EMDR, Child Trauma Centre

BSc (Hons)  Mental Health Nursing, Birmingham City University

Postgraduate Certificate Teaching in Higher Education, Birmingham City University

Certificate in Mentorship in Practice, Level 7, Birmingham City University

Certificate in Management and Leadership, Level 6, Chartered Management Institute

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Additional Clinical Training

Compassion Focused Therapy for Shame based PTSD & CPTSD, with Deborah Lee

Cognitive Processing Therapy, with the Veterans Association, Dr Chard

Narrative Exposure Therapy, NET institute

Attachment Focused EMDR, with Laurel Parnell

Motivational Interviewing

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Mindfulness based CBT

Level 3 Coaching & Mentoring

Level 3 Safeguarding Adults and Children

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My Professional Accreditations​

Registered Nurse - Mental Health NMC

BABCP Accredited CBT Practitioner

EMDR UK Accredited Practitioner

CPT Provider 

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Additional Information

Enhanced DBS Adults and Children

NSV Security Cleared

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My Experience

I am an experienced and highly trained mental health professional and psychological therapist. I have over 16 years of military healthcare experience delivering care in the UK and whilst deployed on operations in Afghanistan and in maritime environments. I have worked in acute and community mental health settings as a clinician and clinical manager within the NHS and Ministry of Defence. I am a NMC registered RN(MH), BABCP accredited CBT therapist, accredited EMDR Practitioner and CPT provider, proficient in treating common mental health problems and complex clinical presentations. 

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I have experience in risk assessment and crisis intervention and training in delivering CBT based therapy such as Motivational Interviewing, Compassion Focused Therapy and Mindfulness. I have worked with clients of varied age living with a mixture of problems such as Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and alcohol addiction.

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Enthusiastic about facilitating development, I teach in higher education, mentor clinicians in practice and regularly deliver supervision and training to clinicians in practice. I have experience working and supporting other clinicians to work with both long term conditions and to deliver time sensitive care. I have a varied portfolio of experience in delivering training and skills workshops to large audiences and teaching to small groups. 

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My Commitment to You​

Seeking help is the first step to recovery. I aspire to help others reach their full potential through a period of collaborative therapy and skills development focused on wellbeing, resilience and change. I am results focussed, I will work with you in a structured way to support you in understanding your difficulties and learning skills to achieve your therapy goals. I am energetic and enthusiastic, and  I will work with you to motivate and guide you through therapy. My approach is based in the latest evidence of successful therapy approaches.

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As a supervisor I can support you in your clinical practice and skill application. You can expect a friendly, relaxed and supportive style of supervision. We will create a safe space to explore your questions, clinical knowledge, skills and any relational issues with the aim of empowering you to develop both individually and as a practitioner.  

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Please contact Optimism if you would like a copy for my full Bio.

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