Finder

Specialises in

• Applied Relaxation
• Behaviour Therapy
• Behavioural Activation (BA)
• CBT with Exposure and Response Prevention (CBT with ERP)

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Counselling
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Mindfulness based CBT

• Solution Focused Brief Therapy
• Transactional Analysis (TA)
• Trauma focused CBT

Offers

• Face-to-face consultations
• Video and telephone consultations

About me

I am dedicated to helping people overcome their challenges and difficulties, enabling them to lead more fulfilling meaningful lives. I have held Senior Accredited therapist status with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) since 2009. This is the highest level of BACP professional recognition.

BACP Senior Accreditation signifies advanced clinical expertise and knowledge with substantial experience in complex areas of psychotherapy. It reflects Master's level or higher postgraduate training, and an unrelenting commitment to the highest standards of ethical and professional practice in psychotherapy and counselling.

I have extensive experience supporting adults and young people with a wide range of complex emotional and mental health difficulties, including chronic mental and physical health conditions.

I was awarded BACP Accredited status in 2003, demonstrating to clients and employers that I had achieved high standards of competent ethical practice, and gained professional experience supported by extensive supervised clinical practice and post-qualification education and personal development.

I hold many qualifications that enhance my therapy practice in modalities such as Counselling and Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and EMDR. These qualifications are listed separately in this profile.

As a highly experienced therapist, I integrate different therapeutic models to provide flexible, tailored therapy that meets individual's unique needs. I believe therapy is not only about theory, but about the relationship between therapist and client. My therapy is therefore founded on the importance of a therapeutic relationship that has genuine warmth, mutual respect and appropriate humour. I aim to create a friendly yet professional, trusting, therapeutic environment where people feel understood and safe to express themselves openly without judgement.

My own experience of hardship and adversity enables me to connect theory with real-life experiences, so my therapy is not just based on academic theories but also informed by genuine empathy and insight. This helps me understand people's lives from their perspective creating a deeply empathetic therapeutic relationship.

I understand that the first appointment can feel the hardest, but as we get to know each other and you become more familiar with therapy, later sessions often feel easier and less stressful. In our first appointment, we will explore your difficulties at a pace that feels right for you and discuss what you hope to gain from therapy. Together, we will consider how I can support you to address your challenges and tailor the therapy to your individual needs.

The effectiveness of my therapy is measured from the client's perspective using approved clinical outcome questionnaires. The results show that an exceptionally high percentage of my clients experience significant symptom improvement, greater ability to manage challenging circumstances, better daily functioning, and a happier, more fulfilling quality of life.

I am enthusiastically committed to ongoing learning and active engagement with current research. This is reflected in my Master of Philosophy (MPhil), awarded by the University of Manchester in recognition of my research contribution to therapeutic practice. I have worked in Academia, training and supporting mental health therapists. I am also an experienced Clinical Supervisor for psychological therapists and counsellors.

I have worked across diverse therapy settings as a therapist, clinical lead, and manager in the government, public, private, and NHS sectors. I continue to work as a psychological therapist for organisations alongside my private practice. I also offer my services pro bono to charitable organisations.

Areas of interest

I work with a wide range of conditions, age groups (including adolescents) and levels of complexity, using therapeutic approaches tailored to each person's needs; I have a specific interest and involvement in trauma focused therapies supporting and treating those who have been adversely affected by distressing or traumatic experiences.

Specialist interests and expertise in the following physical conditions

• Cardiac conditions
• Eating disorders
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Musculoskeletal conditions

• Neurological disorders
• Oncology
• Pain management

• Psychophysiological disorders
• Physical disability
• Rheumatological conditions

Medical secretaries

• Andrew Gavaghan / Sasha Skent
• Hellpool Lane Hexham Northumberland NE46 3DF
• 01434 608327
• andrew@aim2improve.co.uk