Article
Using systemic family therapy to treat chronic pain
Leading Consultant Clinical Health Psychologist, Dr Cristina López-Chertudi, provides an i...
Dr Cristina López-Chertudi
BSc (Hons) MSc (USA) CPsychol (Clin) PsychD (Clin) MSc (PsychTh)
Professional statement
Dr Cristina López-Chertudi is a highly qualified consultant clinical and health psychologist and systemic family psychotherapist with extensive international experience. She sees patients via e-consultations. She specialises in a wide range of areas including family and couple therapy, mental disorders, anxiety, depression, work-related stress, adaptation to chronic illnesses, self-esteem, unresolved trauma and unresolved grief. She helps people adjust to living with chronic physical illnesses.
She obtained her psychology BSc Honours Degree in Bilbao, Spain, 1992, a pre-doctoral internship/MSc in Organisational Psychology and Hospital Administration, approved by the American Psychological Association (Maryland, USA, 1993), a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology (Surrey, UK, 2004), and a Master’s Degree (MSc) in Systemic Family Psychotherapy (Exeter, UK, 2008). Furthermore, she has completed the foundation and professional training in Systemic Family Constellations (London, UK, 2011).
With nearly 30 years of experience in the UK National Health Service, Dr López-Chertudi has also worked in private practice, specialising in trauma psychology and providing expert witness assistance for legal cases. She has a diverse clinical background, having worked with adults, adolescents, couples, families, and groups. She works people with complex emotional and mental health needs and physical illnesses such as HIV-AIDS, chronic pain, ME-CFS, obesity, cancer and post-Covid syndrome.
Dr. López-Chertudi is known for her empathetic and collaborative approach to therapy, grounded in ethical principles and anti-discriminatory practices. She offers a range of therapeutic interventions, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, family/systems therapy, narrative therapy, compassion-focused, acceptance and commitment, and eye movement desensitisation reprocessing.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr López-Chertudi has held leadership positions in clinical health psychology services, providing strategic planning and professional leadership. She also provides clinical supervision for allied health professionals and trainees and has been involved in teaching and research activities, focusing on topics such as coping skills in chronic pain and the efficacy of group interventions.
She is committed to professional development and has been an active member of various professional organisations, including the British Psychological Society, British Association of Cognitive-Behavioural Psychotherapies and the Association for Family Therapy.
HCPC: PYL17022
07941416245 and [email protected] for patient bookings.
Please note that in case of non-attendance full fee will be charged, cancellations of less than 24 hours will be charged at 50%. Two consecutive cancellations will result in discharge.
She obtained her psychology BSc Honours Degree in Bilbao, Spain, 1992, a pre-doctoral internship/MSc in Organisational Psychology and Hospital Administration, approved by the American Psychological Association (Maryland, USA, 1993), a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology (Surrey, UK, 2004), and a Master’s Degree (MSc) in Systemic Family Psychotherapy (Exeter, UK, 2008). Furthermore, she has completed the foundation and professional training in Systemic Family Constellations (London, UK, 2011).
With nearly 30 years of experience in the UK National Health Service, Dr López-Chertudi has also worked in private practice, specialising in trauma psychology and providing expert witness assistance for legal cases. She has a diverse clinical background, having worked with adults, adolescents, couples, families, and groups. She works people with complex emotional and mental health needs and physical illnesses such as HIV-AIDS, chronic pain, ME-CFS, obesity, cancer and post-Covid syndrome.
Dr. López-Chertudi is known for her empathetic and collaborative approach to therapy, grounded in ethical principles and anti-discriminatory practices. She offers a range of therapeutic interventions, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, family/systems therapy, narrative therapy, compassion-focused, acceptance and commitment, and eye movement desensitisation reprocessing.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr López-Chertudi has held leadership positions in clinical health psychology services, providing strategic planning and professional leadership. She also provides clinical supervision for allied health professionals and trainees and has been involved in teaching and research activities, focusing on topics such as coping skills in chronic pain and the efficacy of group interventions.
She is committed to professional development and has been an active member of various professional organisations, including the British Psychological Society, British Association of Cognitive-Behavioural Psychotherapies and the Association for Family Therapy.
HCPC: PYL17022
07941416245 and [email protected] for patient bookings.
Please note that in case of non-attendance full fee will be charged, cancellations of less than 24 hours will be charged at 50%. Two consecutive cancellations will result in discharge.
Clinics
e-Consultation
e-Consultation, Central London, WC2NMedical insurances accepted
Credentials
Professional experience
- 34 years of experience
- Consultant Clinical and Health Psychologist, Self-employed (1998-present)
Subspecialties
- Mental health difficulties (attachment, depression, anxiety, stress, abuse, self-esteem)
- Unresolved complex, developmental and transgenerational trauma
Professional memberships
- Health and Care Professions Council
Education
- BSc (Hons), Bilbao, Spain (1992)
- MSc (USA) Maryland, USA (1993)
Teaching posts
- Former supervisor for students doing the MSc in Systemic Family Psychotherapy, University of Exeter (UK)
- Former teaching-Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (BMBS) Programme Allied Healthcare Professional placement for Exeter University (UK) medical students
Publications and conferences
- Dallob, R., López-Chertudi, C. & Rose, T. (2005). Psychological perspectives when managing chronic pain. In Banks, C. & Mackrodt, K. (2005). Chronic Pain Management. London: WHURR
Prizes and awards
- 25 years service to the NHS (UK) (2022)
- Research grant-Research and Development Steering Group, Thameside Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Essex (UK) (1999-2001)
Languages spoken
- English
- Spanish
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Reviews
All reviews are from real patients and have been verified by our Customer Service department to ensure they meet our guidelines. Rules of the service
- Would you recommend this doctor?
- Treatment of the doctor
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- Cristina has been an enormous help to me as I have come to terms with, and learned to manage my chronic illness. I greatly appreciate her directness, candour, and wealth of experience - these qualities came through in every session, and I felt that I learned a great deal from our work together. I particularly valued the sessions exploring family dynamics and generational legacies, which helped me better understand patterns in my close relationships.
- Working with Christina has been a really supportive experience. She listens attentively and has offered some very insightful guidance through a challenging and difficult season in my life. With her support, I’ve gained clarity, understanding, and a stronger sense of emotional balance.
- Very pleasant and kind professional, quality explanations. She has helped me clarify my thoughts and make real progress with my problem. Highly recommended.
- I came to Dr. López-Chertudi struggling in my marriage. During the sessions I have felt seen, safe and understood. She is warm, smart, offers new perspectives and gently keeps you from slipping into a victim role. I feel in very good hands.
- Cristina. Professional, approachable, sensitive, and very insightful. The work in each session helps to clarify and give you tools for our personal work. Without a doubt, highly recommended.
- I was looking for an experienced, well-qualified doctor who could understand a complex, intelligent dyslexic mind. From session one, Cristina built an easy rapport and deep connection. Her expert, insightful approach has helped me recognise personal behavioural patterns and grow.
- Very professional and very good psychologist
- I’ve been with Dr. Chertudi for a while and I’m very grateful. She’s patient, creates a safe space, and makes it easy to open up. Time flies in sessions because she gets straight to the point. I always leave feeling the session was effective and with something to reflect on.
- I have had a truly positive experience working with Dr Cristina Lopez-Chertudi. Her compassion, professionalism, and deep understanding of human behavior made my daughter and I feel supported from the very beginning. She created a safe, non-judgmental space where we felt heard and understood. Through our session, we have gained valuable tools to better manage anxiety, improve our relationships, and develop a stronger sense of self." I highly recommend Dr Cristina Lopez-Chertudi to anyone seeking meaningful personal growth and support. She was exceptionally good at helping us as a family process our trauma.