Dr Elisabeth Hansen

Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead

Dr Elisabeth Hansen is an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist, Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. She qualified as a Clinical Psychologist at the University of Liverpool in 2006 and has over 24 years’ experience working in psychology across clinical, forensic and community settings.

Elisabeth has extensive experience working with complex psychological needs, trauma and relational difficulties. She spent more than a decade at Ashworth High Secure Hospital and has held senior clinical and leadership roles within secure services. This included working as a Clinical Lead in the development of a specialist personality disorder service at HMP Garth, before becoming Principal Clinical Psychologist and Service Lead at Scott Clinic Medium Secure Unit.

Her specialist interests include complex trauma, attachment and relational difficulties, personality difficulties, self-harm, emotional regulation and psychological risk.

Elisabeth has particular expertise in Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) and is both an Accredited CAT Practitioner and Accredited CAT Supervisor. CAT strongly informs her relational and formulation-based approach to understanding how early experiences and relationships can shape recurring patterns of emotion, behaviour and relationships. She is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Within CCATS, Elisabeth works as Clinical Lead within children’s residential services, providing specialist psychological input to young people and the teams supporting them. Her work includes psychological assessment and formulation, direct therapeutic work, consultation, clinical supervision, reflective practice and staff training, with a strong focus on psychologically informed and trauma-sensitive care.

Elisabeth continues to provide clinical supervision and mentoring to NHS professionals and other practitioners, supporting professional development and work with complex clinical presentations.

She is also a committee member and dedicated Wellbeing Officer for the Merseyside Former Boxers Association, contributing to psychological wellbeing and mental health initiatives within the former boxing community.

Alongside her clinical work, Elisabeth has extensive experience as an Expert Witness, undertaking psychological assessments for Family, Civil and Criminal Court proceedings. Her medico-legal practice includes complex trauma and personal injury assessments, as well as psychological assessments undertaken in relation to major national compensation schemes.