Dr. Krissie Ivings DClin, BABCP Acc. is a Consultant Chartered Clinical Psychologist regulated by the HCPC and BPS, with over 25 years of experience within the NHS and independent practice. She is the Clinical Director of Aspire Therapy Services Ltd., a provider of mental health support to children in care funded by the NHS and Local Authority.
Clinical Authority and Governance
Dr. Ivings brings unique expertise in clinical governance and high-risk service development, ensuring the College's standards align with official health service protocols:
- NHS Leadership: She served as the former Head of Psychology for a large NHS Trust (CAMHS) and has held NHS England Clinical Lead roles for several large-scale transformation programmes.
- Specialized Service Development: This work included the development of Specialized Community Eating Disorder Services and Crisis Care across Greater Manchester. She is the primary author of the Greater Manchester Crisis Care Pathway: REACH-IN Pathway (2018).
- Current Directorship: Dr. Ivings is the owner and Clinical Director of Aspire Therapy Services Ltd., a service commissioned by the NHS and Local Authority to provide mental health support to vulnerable children and young adults in care.
- Primary Modality: Her primary therapeutic modality is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), a comprehensive intervention designed for very high-risk clients – and more recently now Hypno-CBT®
Publications and Thought Leadership:
Dr. Ivings is an author of specialized books and manuals, demonstrating unique Expertise in complex intervention:
- Clinical Manuals: She is the author of several books and treatment pathways, including:
- The SPIRAL Manual: A holistic model of care for Looked After Children (2023).
- The REACH-IN Pathway: Greater Manchester Crisis Care Pathway for Children and Young People (2018).
- Popular Psychology: She is the author of Tame the Chimp, Shoot the Parrot, Silence the Mouse (on overcoming mental blocks in sport and life).
- Hypno-CBT® Integration: Dr. Ivings trained at the UK College because of its adherence to the evidence base, and now uses Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (Hypno-CBT®) in almost all of her work.
Risk Assessment & Management Workshop – Course Trainer
Personal Journey and Philosophy
Dr. Ivings's therapeutic approach is informed by both professional rigor and personal experience:
- Lived Experience: Her passion for resilience and confidence stems from her personal journey of successfully overcoming complex issues, including undiagnosed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression following a life-threatening accident.
- Clinical Philosophy: She recognized how quickly even paralyzing fear can be overcome with the right support, blending professional expertise with lived experience.