Helen Dee Lomas
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Hello!
I can help you to overcome low mood whether severe depression or feeling sad, and anxiety problems including generalised anxiety disorder and panic attacks, using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with a supportive and compassionate approach.
I am an accredited therapist with the BABCP (British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists) and am an empathic and genuinely caring person. It is important to me that each person feels valued, heard and not judged.
Why continue with a poor quality of life, perhaps avoiding or suffering in situations that make you unhappy?
CBT is the 'gold star' treatment for the anxiety disorders such as:
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Generalised anxiety (GAD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Health anxiety
- Social anxiety
- Panic disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Specific Phobias such as with creatures, objects or activities, also vomit phobia
- Depressive problems
- Post natal depression
- Relationship difficulties
- Work related stress
CBT is the recommended treatment of the NICE Guidelines (National Institute of Health & Care Excellence) as it really does make improvements to people's quality of life.
My approach is a compassion based one drawing on 'CFT' (Compassion Focused Therapy) https://www.compassionatemind.co.uk/ and I also use 'ACT' (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) https://contextualscience.org/act
CBT has been practised since the fifties but current practise incorporates a so-called 'third wave' approach. As well as helping you to identify what is making you feel 'stuck' with your problems, it also encourages you to recognise self defeating behaviours, such as self criticism in CFT. ACT has elements of mindfulness, acceptance (i.e of difficult feelings) and committed action to help us move towards what we truly value in life.
This work actually makes changes in our brain's neural networks that can be seen under an fMRI scanner!
I also am trained in and offer EMDR. This is a well known treatment option for trauma including PTSD but it is also effective for anxieties including performance, phobias, nightmares amongst other problems. This can also be offered online to good effect following the EMDR Associations guidance.
There are many other difficulties that are helped with CBT, for instance sleep problems and pain management - ask me if it's not mentioned here, or look at the BABCP website www.babcp.com
Training, qualifications & experience
I have many years experience in helping others with mental health difficulties; five years in secondary care (private hospital) and five years in primary care (NHS, in GPs' surgeries). I have been running my private practise now for five years. My experience has been with adolescents, young people and adults.
My relevant qualifications:
- Post Graduate diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (Accredited degree)
- BSc Hons Psychology
- Post Graduate Certificate in mental health (primary care)
- Certificate in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Counselling
- Advanced Training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- EMDR training with Alexandra Richman; Levels One and Two.
As an Accredited CBT Therapist, training and education is ongoing, with continued professional development (CPD) being part of our commitment to membership. We keep up with current research and attend trainings to develop our areas of special interest. I am a visiting lecturer at The University of Hertfordshire and I supervise trainee CBT therapists.
Member organisations
The BABCP is the lead organisation for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the UK. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the practice, theory or development of CBT. BABCP also provides accreditation for CBT therapists. BABCP accredited members adhere to the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics in the Practice of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, and are willing to be scrutinised in this adherence as required.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
If your difficulty is not listed, do not hesitate to contact me to have a chat. Or you may want to discuss an initial assessment session to help you know where to go next.
Therapies offered
Fees
£110.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Treatment is tailored for the individual - for their difficulties, their goals and their current circumstances. I do offer face to face therapy and sessions are also via Zoom, Facetime or Skype, depending on individual requirements.
It is important to me that each person feels comfortable and while I am the professional, we are both hoping for and working towards the same outcome - to reduce suffering and increase quality of life.
I work with various Health Insurance companies including Aviva, Cigna. I am not currently offering BUPA sessions.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
Tuesday- Thursday 12 - 6pm
Further information
I work with patients Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from approximately 13:00 to 18:00
