ABOUT THE THERAPIST
Qualifications and experience
Dr Vivien Hunot gained a diploma in humanistic integrative counselling in 1993. She then studied for an MA in counselling psychology, focusing on systemic family therapy. She worked as an NHS counsellor and psychotherapist for a number of years, based both in GP surgeries and in specialist secondary care settings.
After completing a PhD in mental health services research at Kings College Hospital, London in 2005, Vivien studied for a post-graduate diploma in cognitive psychotherapy. On completing her diploma, she worked for Sussex Partnership NHS Trust as a senior psychotherapeutic counsellor, and then became a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist for Aurora Psychological Services, an occupational health organisation. She has also been an examiner for CBT diploma courses at the University of Canterbury.
Vivien has recently established her own independent CBT practice in mid Sussex, based in Haywards Heath. She remains linked with Aurora as a clinical associate and provides CBT services on behalf of other occupational health organisations and insurance companies, as well as self-funding individuals.
In addition to her clinical practice, Vivien holds a part-time research post at the University of Bristol www.bristol.ac.uk, in the School of Social and Community Medicine. Her area of special interest is the provision of editorial support to people producing systematic reviews of health care interventions, through her work as a general editor with the Cochrane Collaboration Depression Anxiety and Neurosis Group (CCDAN) ccdan.cochrane.org/welcome-ccdan.
Philosophy
Vivien's core training as a humanistic therapist emphasises the importance of developing a safe and non-judgemental therapeutic environment with clients and underpins her work with people presenting with bereavement and loss. She draws from her systemic therapy training when working with clients who present with relationship difficulties. CBT provides her with tried and tested treatment protocols to use with clients presenting with a range of depression and/or anxiety problems. Her over-arching philosophy is to fit the therapy to the client, not the client to the therapy. Vivien's training and experience in research methods ensures that her clinical practice is at all times informed and supported by high quality evidence.