Dr Imogen Cotter

Profile

I am a Clinical Psychologist with nearly 30 years NHS experience helping people navigate the psychological impact of illness, injury, trauma, and life-changing health conditions. I offer a containing, compassionate and collaborative space where people can make sense of complex difficulties, build on their strengths, and move towards what matters most to them.

Throughout my career I have worked in community, hospital and specialist rehabilitation services, supporting people living with acquired, congenital, and long-term health conditions. My current NHS role is the Lead Psychologist in an Intensive Care Unit in Buckinghamshire.

For 18 years I was part of the internationally renowned National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, where I developed specialist expertise in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. My particular area of interest was adjustment to living with neuropathic pain and its impact on wellbeing and quality of life.

I trained in Clinical Psychology in Oxford. Before this I worked in a Health Psychology research group at Exeter University. I am registered with the HCPC and I am a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society.

My therapeutic training includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). I have published in peer-reviewed journals, with research interests focusing on the relationship between physical and mental health.

I work with adults experiencing distress associated with physical health; anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD. I have expertise in supporting people living with chronic pain, fatigue, mild cognitive difficulties, changes in relationships, identity and daily functioning following illness or injury. I provide specialist psychological assessment and intervention for individuals with spinal cord injury, supporting adjustment, resilience, and wellbeing at every stage of life.