Finder

Specialises in

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

• Counselling

Bupa specialist

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health services

About me

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is my main therapeutic approach. This is a highly effective talking therapy which looks at how your thoughts, feelings and behaviours impact each other and maintain difficulties.

CBT is an evidence-based treatment which is recommended by the NICE guidelines (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence which provides standards for the NHS) for a wide range of clinical conditions.

CBT is more directive than Counselling. We will look at ‘what you want’ out of therapy and structure the sessions to help you address these goals. This is often achieved by making changes to behaviours and thinking patterns which may be unhelpful to you.

It is a collaborative therapy which means we would work together to develop new understandings of your experiences and then develop ways to help you move forward. It is a problem-solving approach and you will learn specific skills that you can use for the rest of your life

The number of CBT sessions you require will depend on the type of difficulty you have. It is usually shorter term (6 to 20 weekly sessions), depending on what feels right for you, with each therapy session lasting 50 minutes.

I am accredited with both the BABCP (British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapists) and the BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy). Accreditation with the BABCP demonstrates that, as a CBT therapist, I have met the stringent criteria around qualifications and clinical experience. As a BABCP accredited CBT therapist I adhere to their ethical framework. My practice receives regular supervision and I am required to undertake ongoing training as a mandatory part of my continuing professional development.

I have a background in scientific research and as a schoolteacher. I have worked as a therapist in Primary Care for almost 12 years; firstly, for MIND and then for the NHS prior to working in private practice. I work with adults and children (11+) with a range of mental health difficulties.

I hold a PhD in Psychopharmacology, an MA in Integrative Counselling, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

Therapy can seem daunting and so it is important that you feel supported, respected, and comfortable. My practise is about being genuine, warm, and non-judgemental and where you feel that you can make an active contribution at any time.

Using CBT our focus will be on the ‘here and now’ and understanding how your current difficulties are maintained. If past events are causing distress we will address these (if it feels okay for you) to help us understand how the past is operating in the present. CBT is not just about treating your symptoms; it is about understanding and addressing the root cause of the problem.

The first 1-2 sessions are the assessment phase where we will talk about your problems and your goals for therapy. Brief questionnaires might be used as we start to build a picture of how your difficulties are impacting on your life.

CBT requires your investment during and between sessions, firstly as we understand how CBT makes sense of the difficulties you have and then by discussing whether there are other ways of looking at things. We will think about how you can try things out and then gradually test out these new ideas, by practicing new ways of thinking and behaving, in your everyday life. Your involvement and feedback will be hugely important. By putting what you have learned into practise and discussing your observations you will learn how to manage your difficulties in a different way. You will learn how to help yourself.

Towards the end of your sessions we will specifically review how things have gone and how you feel about ending therapy. We will also work out a relapse prevention plan to avoid problems becoming major difficulties again.

I am here to help and look forward to hearing from you.

Areas of interest

Overthinking (worry and rumination); Anxiety; Low-mood; Depression; Self-criticism; Low self-esteem; Difficult life issues; Generalised Anxiety Disorder; Panic; Low Self-esteem; Social Anxiety; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD); Insomnia, Menopause, BDD, Binge eating, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Health Anxiety; Phobias; Insomnia; Anger; Loss; Bereavement; Abuse.

Specialist interests and expertise in the following physical conditions

• Psychophysiological disorders