About Nicole
About Nicole Backhouse
I dreamt of being a psychiatrist but became a lawyer by mistake; I retrained as a psychotherapist and have never looked back.
Working together
What it’s like to work with me
Collaborative
We are doing this together and my approach is collaborative rather than paternalistic.
Bespoke
In terms of modality, I use a combination of Schema Therapy, CBT, DBT and EMDR; this allows me to tailor-make your treatment plan to you.
Warm and irreverent
I am a serious and experienced clinician but am also warm and irreverent, occasionally amusing and seem to reach the parts other therapists can’t.
Training and experience
Background
After a previous incarnation as a solicitor, I qualified as a psychotherapist in 2013. Alongside my private adult practice, I worked at Cheltenham Ladies’ College for over a decade, so I’m well versed in both adults and teenagers. In both demographics I have treated depression, anxiety, eating disorders and addiction. I have completed EMDR training with EMDR Europe and am in the final year of my MSc in Addiction Science at King’s College London.
BACP Accredited
Addiction Science MSc (final year), King’s College London
MSc London School of Economics
Over a decade at Cheltenham Ladies’ College
My writing
The Candid Clinician
I am a serious clinician but am at times irreverent and treat weighty issues with a light touch.
27 September 2026
What’s normal, what isn’t, and the conversations to have before you need them
21 September 2026
Careers: on separating your anxiety from their future
Getting started
The first step is to pick up the phone or drop me a line
Simple. No pressure, let’s see what happens…
