Credentials & Professional Experience

Samantha J Hudson MNCPS (Accredited)

Trauma & PTSD Therapist | Bournemouth & Online

I am an accredited counsellor and psychotherapist specialising in trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with 14 years' therapeutic experience.

My professional background extends beyond the therapy room. Before becoming a therapist, I served in the Royal Military Police (RMP) and later in the civilian police service. This experience gave me first-hand understanding of the cultures, pressures and challenges associated with demanding, high-risk and frontline professions.

Throughout my therapeutic career, I have worked with people from a wide range of backgrounds, including personnel from law enforcement, the Armed Forces, the National Crime Agency (NCA), the NHS and the Criminal Justice System.

My approach to therapy is practical, collaborative and individual. I believe therapy should adapt to the person sitting in front of me rather than expecting the person to adapt to a particular therapeutic model.

Qualifications & Specialist Training

My counselling, psychotherapy and specialist training includes:

Level 4 Counselling/Psychotherapy
Advanced Counselling & Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
PTSD Management
Anger & Aggression Management
Advanced Corporate Stress Management
Transactional Analysis (TA)
Conflict Management — City & Guilds

Professional Accreditation

I am an Accredited Member of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).

My professional practice is informed by ongoing learning, professional development and many years of experience working with trauma and PTSD.

Clinical Leadership & Therapeutic Experience

My professional experience has included serving as Clinical Lead for Phoenix Heroes CIC, an organisation supporting the veteran community.

Over the course of my therapeutic career, I have supported individuals experiencing trauma, PTSD and related difficulties, including people working or who have previously worked within:

Law enforcement
Army
Royal Navy
Royal Air Force
National Crime Agency (NCA)
NHS
Criminal Justice System

I understand that experiences within these professions can involve cultures and pressures that are not always easily understood outside them. My own professional background enables me to bring both therapeutic knowledge and practical understanding to this work.

Keynote Speaking & Professional Education

Alongside my clinical work, I have delivered keynote presentations on PTSD for organisations including:

RNLI
National Crime Agency (NCA)
SC019
South Yorkshire Police

I have also created CPD-accredited professional training courses on PTSD and suicide, providing education and greater understanding of these complex subjects.

Teaching & Training Experience

My previous professional experience also includes working as an Associate Lecturer and as an SIA Instructor.

These roles involved teaching, professional development and communicating complex subjects in a practical and accessible way — skills that continue to influence the psychoeducational element of my therapeutic work.

Previous Operational & Security Experience

My previous professional and operational experience includes:

Royal Military Police (RMP)
Civilian Police
Close Protection Officer (CPO)
SIA-licensed Door Supervisor
SIA Instructor

I served in the Royal Military Police before joining the civilian police service.

The SIA roles and licences listed above relate to my former professional experience and are not presented as current SIA licences.

This background has given me first-hand experience of professional environments involving responsibility, conflict, risk and high-pressure decision-making.

Published Author

I am also a published author of three books exploring PTSD, trauma and recovery.

My writing grew from my professional interest in increasing understanding of trauma and helping people recognise that PTSD can affect individuals from every walk of life.

My Approach

Qualifications matter, but effective therapy involves considerably more than certificates.

I believe a strong therapeutic relationship requires trust, honesty, humour where appropriate, compassion and the willingness to challenge when challenge is needed.

I do not believe in forcing every client through the same therapeutic process. Some people need space to talk. Others need structure, practical strategies or a different perspective. Often they need a combination of all of these.

My role is to understand the individual in front of me and work collaboratively with them towards meaningful, sustainable change.