Elizabeth James BSc (Hons) MBACP (Accred). UKRCP Reg

Hornchurch Essex RM11
01708 477315 www.oakwoodtherapy.com Click here to Email me

Profile

Hello, I'm Elizabeth and thank you for visiting my Counselling Directory Profile. People come for counselling for many different reasons but the first step is often the hardest. Most of us have experienced times when we have found ourselves overwhelmed by diffcult feelings but seeking help is not self indulgent or ‘weak’ as it takes real courage to face our thoughts, emotions and our behaviour. I am a BACP accredited therapist and using short term cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), I work with you to help you to understand your difficulties, how they arose and, most importantly, how to make changes.

Finding the right therapist for you is very important as the research consistently shows that positive change is much more likely when there is a good 'match' between the therapist and the client. My style is warm, friendly and approachable and clients tell me that I am easy to talk to, which perhaps is the reason that a large proportion of my work now comes from personal recommendations.

Being an accredited therapist means that I have achieved and demonstrated a substantial level of training and experience that has been verified and approved by the BACP.

Starting counselling can be a daunting prospect and so if you would like to have an initial chat, I am always happy to answer any questions you may have about me, the way I work and how short term CBT may be able to help you. There is absolutely no obligation for you to arrange an appointment when you call. 

I am a degree level qualified CBT counsellor, with many years experience of working therapeutically. I am CRB checked, fully insured and as an accredited member of BACP, work within their Ethical Framework which maintains a high standard of clinical practice.

In my private practice I work with adults only (aged 16 years and over) from home in a dedicated therapy room where I can offer a friendly yet professional environment. As I work from the ground floor, I can also offer disabled access. I can offer weekday appointments together with some evening/weekend appointments subject to availability and wherever possible, I aim to offer an intial appointment within one week.

I work with a range of issues including anger management, depression, anxiety, stress, grief, low self esteem, relationship difficulties, low self confidence, perfectionism, social anxiety, bereavement and loss, trauma, abuse, bullying, health anxiety, problem gambling, issues with internet addiction, identity/gender related concerns and body image problems. I am also experienced with working affirmatively with LGBT clients.

Most of us have experienced feeling overwhelmed at some point in our lives and so at our first meeting, we can discuss what has led you to seek counselling at this time and what you are hoping to achieve. It is important to remember that CBT is not a 'miracle cure' and that the short term nature of the work (usually between 6-12 sessions) may mean that a different type of longer term therapy may sometimes be more appropriate. If you are in any doubt, I would be very happy to discuss this with you.

Using CBT, I will help you to explore the connection between your thoughts, feelings and behaviour and show how changing the way we think about a particular situation, will change the way we feel (and therefore our actions as a result). Together, we work as team to introduce more helpful thinking styles which ultimately, will enable you to feel more in control of your life.

After completing their therapy In December 2009, two clients wrote:

"I feel so much more positive and have healthy thoughts most of the time and have also started to like myself. I still have periods every now and then when my anxiety levels rise higher than usual but I have developed the skills to use the coping techniques that you taught me in therapy to get me through it."

"I can't explain how much therapy with you has changed my life and hopefully my future"

Training, Qualifications & Experience

Accredited member of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. MBACP (Accred).
Registered with United Kingdom Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (UKRCP) BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy
Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy
Experienced in running Low Self Esteem, Depression/Anxiety and OCD Therapy Groups
Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training
Diversity, Abuse and Aggression Training
Listed Associate to a number of Employee Assistance Programmes
Member of AIP

Areas of counselling I deal with

• Abortion
• Abuse
• Addiction(s)
• ADHD
• Adoption Issues
• Affairs and Betrayals
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Asperger's Syndrome
• Avoidant Personality Disorder
• Bereavement
• Binge Eating Disorder
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Bullying
• Cancer
• Child Related Issues
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME
• Depression
• Disabilities
• Domestic Violence
• Eating Disorders
• Emotional Abuse
• Gambling
• Gender Identity
• Generalised Anxiety
• Histrionic Personality Disorder
• HIV/AIDS
• Infertility
• Learning Difficulties
• Low Self-Confidence
• Low Self-Esteem
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Panic Disorder
• Personality Disorders
• Phobias
• Physical Abuse
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Postnatal Depression
• Relationship Issues
• Self Harm
• Separation and Divorce
• Sexual Abuse
• Sexual Issues
• Sexuality
• Stress
• Trauma
• Work Related Issues

Other areas of counselling I deal with

- a general sense of feeling ‘stuck’ or dissatisfied
- a lack of purpose
- difficulty making decisions
- loss of identity
- issues around self-worth, self confidence and self-esteem 
- sexual, physical and emotional abuse survival and self harm
- guilt
- mid-life issues and managing life changes
- separation and divorce
- parenthood and child related issues
- bereavement and loss
- termination, miscarriage
- issues surrounding suicide
- work related issues
- redundancy
- retirement
- feelings of loneliness and isolation
- problems connecting with friends and family
- commitment issues
- trust and jealousy issues
- betrayal
- grief or uncertainty over the loss of a relationship
- identity issues and coming out

Therapies Offered

• Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies
  - Behavioural Therapy
  - Cognitive Therapy
  - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Fees

From Monday to Friday my fees are £40 per daytime session and £45 per evening session.

At the weekend my fees are £50 per session

Each session is one hour long and depending upon the issue, I would usually suggest 6 sessions to begin. As CBT is designed to be a short-term therapy, I strive to help people make changes as quickly as possible and regularly review progress to ensure that the sessions are meeting your needs.

I do ask for 24 hours notice of any cancellations as missed sessions or late cancellations will incur the usual charge.

Further Information

I have worked within the National Health Service for the past 3 years. I am happy to accommodate clients who, whether due to work or family commitments, are unable to attend at the same time every week and offer weekly, fortnightly or monthly appointments to suit you.

To enquire about current availability or to arrange an appointment, you can contact me either by email at oakwoodtherapy@aol.com or if you prefer to telephone, feel free to call me on 01708 477315 between 9.00am and 9.00pm Monday to Friday and 10.00am to 6.00pm at weekends

If I am unavailable to answer your call personally, I have a secure answerphone so please do leave me a message with a contact number and I will call you back as soon as I can.

Member Organisation(s)