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About Dr Claire Plumbly

Clinical Psychologist · EMDR Consultant · Author · Speaker

I'm a clinical psychologist with over 20 years in mental health, much of it spent working with trauma in NHS and specialist settings.


Today I lead Plum Psychology, write and speak about burnout, and help organisations understand what an overwhelmed nervous system needs. This page sets out my credentials, training and work experience to date.

20+ years

in mental health and trauma care

10 years

Working in

the NHS

15,000+

1-1 therapy sessions

provided

HCPC

Registered No. PYL06464

TRAINING

Qualifications and registrations

2008 - Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)
University of East London

​

2005 - PGCert, Mental Health in Primary Care
Middlesex University

​

2002 - BSc (Hons) Psychology
Durham University

Professional registrations

  • Practitioner Psychologist, Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC),
    registration PYL06464
     

  • Chartered Clinical Psychologist,
    British Psychological Society (BPS), since 2008
     

  • Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist,
    BABCP, since 2011
     

  • Accredited EMDR Therapist
    (via The EMDR Association, UK), since 2020
     

  • Consultant Supervisor, EMDR Europe
    (via The EMDR Association, UK), since 2024

Academic qualifications

Further clinical training

  • IFS-informed EMDR with Kendhal Hart (2025)

  • EMDR Clinical Supervision (Sandi Richman, 2022)

  • EMDR (Parts 1-3, Sandi Richman, 2016)

  • Attachment-Focused EMDR with the Laurel Parnell Institute (2018)

  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher Training (with Bangor University, 2017)

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills Training (with DBT British Isles DBT Training programme, 2009)

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EXPERIENCE

Clinical career

My clinical work has always been with adults facing moderate to severe difficulties, especially trauma, PTSD, anxiety and burnout.​​

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Title
Role
Organisation
2022 – present
Founder and Clinical Director
Plum Psychology
2015 – 2022
Clinical Psychologist
Independent practice
2015 – 2017
Principal Clinical Psychologist
The Havens Sexual Assault Referral Centre, King's College Hospital NHS
2008 – 2014
Clinical Psychologist
Islington IAPT
2005 – 2008
Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust
2004 – 2005
Mental Health Worker
Islington Primary Care Trust (NHS)
2002 – 2004
Assistant Psychologist
Portsmouth Primary Care Trust (NHS)
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TODAY

Current Roles

Plum Psychology

I founded and lead Plum Psychology, a team of nine HCPC-registered associate psychologists.

 

We offer psychological assessments, EMDR intensives and trauma-informed therapy for busy, high-functioning professionals.

 

Visit Plum Psychology

Author

The English language edition of my book Burnout has sold over 25,000 copies and has also been published in Russian, Chinese, Polish and Arabic.

 

I also write regularly for Psychology Today.

Speaking and training

 I regularly guest on podcasts, give keynotes and workshops for organisations, conferences and NHS teams.

I also offer training workshops to therapists in working with burnout.

Coaching and peer support

 I work with the Psychology Business School as a productivity coach, supporting psychologists to build sustainable practices without burning out.

 

I also run networking events for psychologist in independent practice.

WRITING

Publications

1. Books

Burnout Book by Dr Claire Plumbly

Burnout: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You.

Plumbly, C. (2024).

Yellow Kite, Hodder & Stoughton. Published in the US as The Trauma of Burnout (Hachette Balance), and in Russian, Chinese, Polish and Arabic translation.​

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The Productivity Shift

Plumbly, C. (expected spring 2028)

Yellow Kite, Hodder & Stoughton. 

2. Academic papers and presentations

  • Correia, R., Plumbly, C., De Santis, M., Farrelly, S. and Komolafe, K. (2016). Evaluation of a workshop for significant others of complainants of sexual assault. 5th International Conference of the Survivors of Rape.

​

  • Eagles, C. and Goodwin, C. (2013). Setting up a DBT skills group in IAPT. Poster, 41st BABCP Annual Conference.

​

  • Goodwin, C. and Butler, C. (2009). Legitimate love: the meaning of civil partnership for the positioning of lesbian and gay people in society. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 24, 235–248.

​

  • Herba, C., Benson, P., Landau, S., Russell, T., Goodwin, C., et al. (2008). Impact of familiarity upon children's developing facial expression recognition. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 49, 201–210.

​

*Earlier work was published under my maiden surname, Goodwin.

OUT IN THE WORLD

Speaking and media

Selected speaking

See my Speaking page for recent and upcoming engagements. Organisations I've worked with include Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Dept for Transport, Sandhurst, Kraken Technologies and Fremantle TV production company.

Media

Featured in or written for the BBC, The Telegraph, Stylist, Marie Claire, the i Paper, the Evening Standard, HuffPost, Psychologies, The Psychologist and Psychology Today. Podcast guest on The Liz Earle Wellbeing Show, Therapy Works and others.

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Press and booking

Need a headshot, a bio or soundbite?
Download my press pack below, or get in touch.

You can verify my registration on the HCPC register using number PYL06464.

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