Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Adults
I provide face to face Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for adults experiencing a range of psychological difficulties including depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders of which the most commonly seen in my practice are Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Health Anxiety, Body Dysmorphia and Panic Disorder.
I have extensive experience working with patients post trauma, particularly following road traffic accidents and for those struggling with mood regulation. I also treat patients who experience a disordered relationship with food, and those struggling with low self–esteem, perfectionism and loss. I have a particular interest in working with women suffering domestic abuse.
Not every patient has a clinically diagnosable mental health problem. Life is astonishing but it can also be unpredictable, cruel and unfair. Many of the patients I see struggle because of environmental, social, cultural and economic pressures. I believe that an effective and meaningful therapy formulation contextualises the difficulties a patient may be experiencing and explores the intersection between these factors, how they contribute to the problem and how they can best be managed.
I fully support the BABCP's Anti-Racism statement and am committed to the self-examination of my own beliefs, ideas, attitudes and privileges and to understanding the impact discrimination, microaggressions, racial profiling and racism has on physical and psychological health. I accept my responsibility as a human and a professional to educate myself on becoming a culturally competent practitioner and one that is able to provide individualised care.
As part of a programme of self- education I have joined a 'Me & White Supremacy' book circle. The book, written by Layla F Saad invites readers to use journaling and deep discussion to recognise white privilege and combat racism.
Life Is Astonishing and Unpredictable
With 20 years experience of delivering CBT in as a BABCP accredited independent practitioner, I continue to refine and adapt my practice to suit the needs of my patients. Feedback from them is regularly elicited and helps to shape not only individual treatment but underpins an ethos that embraces and values meaningful collaboration. Best practice CBT requires a commitment to active collaboration with patients, familiarity with evidenced phased treatment protocols and expertise in knowing which tailored strategies are likely to be the most effective. It also requires flexibility, curiosity and a sense of humour because let's face it, life is a conundrum and some of the things we humans do to cope with this fact are, and I use this word affectionately, absurd.
I am a recognised health care provider with most of the major health insurance companies including BUPA, AXA PPP, AVIVA, CIGNA, STANDARD LIFE and SIMPLY HEALTH.
I also accept self –referrals. The fee for self-referred patients is £80 for an hourly session. The wait time for an appointment is usually within seven working days. At busy periods availability may vary.
COVID-19 has proved most spectacularly how astonishing and unpredictable life can be
The pandemic has changed the world of work for millions of people around the world. Working from home has become the default for many. For some, this has produced significant stress whilst others have benefited personally and financially from reclaiming lost commuting hours.
Many people are making tentative steps back into the workplace but the government is likely to advise a return to home working if the predicted 2021 winter pressures place the NHS under intolerable strain.
Mental health experts predict that COVID-19 which has disproportionately affected socially disadvantaged patients, particularly those from ethnic minorities will lead to a marked increase in mental health problems including depression (linked to social isolation, job loss etc), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (especially following experience in intensive care units), Health Anxiety, and Social Anxiety (as social restrictions are eased).
The BABCP are regularly producing clinical research papers to assist therapists in ensuring that they are aware of best practice interventions to help those psychologically impacted by COVID-19 and to support the effective online delivery of these treatments.
The accessibility, safety (particularly for those patients who are shielding or have underlying health conditions) and flexibility offered by digital therapy combined with the favourable feedback received from patients is something I am keen to respond to and as a result, I will now be offering a hybrid service combining digital and face to face therapy.
Digital Therapy Not For Me
I do not offer digital therapy. I have experimented with the technology by patient request but have found that issues with personal and technical connectivity have degraded the experience. I prefer two warm bodies in a room which I expect makes me firmly old school. I have written a blog about my experiences of digitally provided therapy which you can read here if you’re interested. Digital CBT Not**
**" In an ideal world providing face to face therapy will always be my preference. When I made this statement about digitally provided therapy being not for me I did so with the swagger of someone who was blissfully unaware that my predilections would become irrelevant in the face of the global pandemic that is COVID-19 .
All of us are now having to re-think the way we live and work (especially me) and digital resources are going to be crucial in providing services and support, keeping people connected and decreasing social isolation. This is especially critical for those people experiencing psychological distress.
I have done a lot of background research comparing digitally provided therapy with face to face therapy. Although the two methods of delivery are not equivalent I will be making every effort to familiarise myself with best practice guidelines to ensure that both existing and current patients receive a high quality service , the practice of which which will be regularly reviewed with my supervisor.
With the policy of social distancing likely to continue for some time there is little choice but to adapt to the changing conditions and hope that once this is over we can look forward to embodied therapy connections when we reach the other side.
If the Coronavirus is causing you undue stress and anxiety you may find these articles particularly helpful:
Coronavirus-how-to-stop-the-anxiety-spiralling-out-of-control
Free-guide-to-living-with-worry-and-anxiety-amidst-global-uncertainty/
Free-coronavirus-anxiety-workbook - The Wellness Society
and you can access information regarding volunteer network sharing and community groups across the UK supporting vulnerable people through the COVID-19 outbreak on Twitter @CovidAidUK
Stay safe people"