About Me

Dr. Alexandra (Ally) Priestner - BSCHons, MPsych, D.Clin.Psy

I am a registered Senior Clinical Psychologist with almost a decade of clinical experience. I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and gained my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Essex.

As a clinical psychologist, I am deeply committed to supporting individuals through their mental health journeys. In my current NHS role, I work within inpatient services across both an Adult Mental Health ward and a specialist Mother and Baby Unit. These diverse settings allow me to engage with a wide range of individuals facing varied and often complex difficulties. This breadth of experience enables me to draw on and adapt multiple psychological approaches, ensuring my work is responsive and tailored to each person’s unique needs.

I am passionate about supporting individuals and families through the perinatal period, and to support through the emotional and psychological challenges which can arise around conception, pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood. I combine my expertise with an approach which is tailored to your individual needs, to ensure my clients feel heard, understood and validated. In the perinatal period, individuals often feel alone in their distress, or unable to share what they might be going through for fear of the reaction of others. I work hard in my NHS role and private practice to normalise the difficulties which can arise with the transition to parenthood, and hope in this my clients feel less isolated and alone.

I am an integrative therapist with a holistic approach to mental health and well-being. Combining techniques from various different modalities means that I can tailor the treatment plan to meet the unique needs of the individual, or the family, no matter what the difficulty might be. Within therapy, I ensure we focus on developing a safe, therapeutic space to explore these difficulties, and work with you a treatment plan to help you to recover and to feel like yourself again.

Deciding to begin therapy is a courageous step, and I aim to make this process as smooth as possible for you. My goal is to create a safe space where your feelings are validated, and you truly feel heard and understood. Together, we can navigate this journey with compassion and support.

My Clinical Experience

I possess extensive experience in delivering a variety of presentations across diverse service settings, including inpatient environments where I have engaged with children, adults, and older adults. My professional journey includes significant work within the community, particularly in a parent-infant service dedicated to empowering families to strengthen their emotional bonds and foster secure attachments with their infants.

Since completing my doctorate in Clinical Psychology, I have focused my efforts within the NHS, where I have gained valuable insight working with complexity in an Adult Acute Inpatient Unit. Additionally, I have supported mothers and their families in the Mother and Baby Mental Health Unit, providing care and guidance during critical periods of their mental health journeys.

As a parent myself, I have first-hand experience navigating the challenges and complexities of parenthood. This personal insight enriches my professional practice, allowing me to empathise deeply with the struggles many families face during the transition to parenthood. I am committed to helping others overcome these challenges and thrive in their roles as parents.

Testimonials.

  • “Ally is approachable and easy to talk too. She made me feel understood and allowed me to make progress processing what I had experienced”

    Client with Birth Trauma

  • “My story could have been completely different if I wasn’t fortunate to receive the help provided to me by Ally. I did not find it easy to talk and I was really quite skeptical about whether it would make a difference, however I couldn’t have been more wrong. I was lucky to meet Ally. She gently encouraged me to open up and actively listened to me. Having someone to talk to that understood has meant I actually feel happy and has helped me to build on my bond with my baby”

    Client with Bonding Challenges

  • “Ally was beyond amazing and I credit her for a great deal of my recovery. She was so kind and compassionate. I am doing so much better now, I am now loving life with my husband and daughter, thank you so much Ally”

    Focusing on Adjustment to Parenthood

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