Alex Lloyd
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
ABOUT ME
I am an experienced and fully accredited Cognitive Behavioural (CBT) Psychotherapist, Cognitive Analytic (CAT) Therapist and EMDR Therapist, and have worked in Mental Health since completing my BSc in Psychology at The University of Durham in 2007. I have worked in a range of Mental Health settings, but discovered my love of one to one therapeutic work whilst working as Assistant Psychologist, before training in Low Intensity Psychological Therapies in 2009, and then completing my Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in 2014.
I believe my main strengths as a therapist are building a strong working relationship with my clients and together making sense of what is causing and maintaining their distress through collaborative formulation. Whilst my core training is in evidence-based diagnosis "protocol" driven Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CBT), I also balance this with sound psychological "principles", drawing from different schools of thought to inform my clinical practice, putting my clients and their experiences at the very heart of my work.
I have a particular interest and expertise in Compassion Focused approaches for shame-based difficulties and have completed a further two year training in Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), which focuses on patterns of relating and linking current difficulties with past experiences. I have also completed an accredited 4 part training in EMDR, a therapy used to target traumatic memories.
I am extremely passionate about what I do and I love my job; I feel truly privileged to be able to work with people in this way.
MY APPROACH
CBT is a structured, time limited therapy which focuses on the relationship between thoughts, behaviours and emotions and how we can get "caught up" in patterns/loops, keeping us stuck. I value the explicit and collaborative nature of CBT, and the importance of developing a shared understanding of what is both causing and maintaining distress, in order to move towards a process of change.
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is broadly a "Cognitive Behavioural" therapy in that it too focuses on thoughts, behaviours and emotions, but it has been particularly developed for problems related to self criticism and shame. This approach also emphasises the importance of the therapeutic relationship, which in and of itself can be a powerful vehicle for experimentation and change, particularly for example where people have had difficult early experiences and/or relational problems in their life.
CAT is also formulation driven and relationally focused, and it too emphasises the use of the therapeutic relationship to facilitate a process of change.
I typically offer therapy which "blends" these approaches: there is space to better understand the mind and brain and why we feel as we do; to develop an understanding of our own unique story and experiences which have shaped this; to develop new skills and consider what changes we want to make to help us become "unstuck" and move forward in our lives and relationships.
My therapy style is semi structured, including some "homework assignments", as well as offering space to connect with difficult feelings, and access emotional support.
I am experienced in working with a wide range of difficulties, including depression, low self esteem, anxiety disorders (such as phobias, generalised anxiety, OCD), eating problems, body image issues, relationship difficulties and trauma/PTSD.
WHAT TO EXPECT
I initially meet with individuals for an extended consultation, lasting around 80-90 minutes, during which we can start to better understand your difficulties and whether we might be able to work together. If I feel that a different therapy would be a better fit for you I am up front about saying so and will suggest alternative sources of support.
Ongoing therapy sessions last 55 minutes and are typically weekly, although this can vary and is negotiated on an individual basis. I offer both short and long term work.
Training, qualifications & experience
EXPERIENCE
I began working in the NHS in 2009, initially as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) and then as a Cognitive Behavioural (CBT) Psychotherapist. From 2017 onwards I worked for The Retreat, York, offering therapy for NHS and private patients, before moving to full time private practice at Reflect Psychology and Psychotherapy (www.reflecttherapies.com) in Pocklington, York in 2019.
EDUCATION
2004-2007 University of Durham
BSc Hons Psychology
2009-2010 University of York
Post Graduate Certificate in Low Intensity Therapies
2012-2014 University of Hull
Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
2018-2020 ACAT Two Year Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) Practitioner Training with Catalyse North.
2021 4 part EMDR training with EMDR Academy
2022 Adult Attachment Interview training with Patricia Crittenden
ADDITIONAL TRAININGS
Feb 2015 CBT for Personality Disorders
Kate Davidson
April 2015 Cultivating Self Esteem with Cognitive Therapy
Melanie Fennell
July 2015 CBT for Adult with Eating Disorders
Glenn Waller
Oct 2015 Introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy
Paul Gilbert
March 2017 Compassion Focused Therapy Advanced Clinical Skills
Paul Gilbert
Nov 2017 New Approaches to working with Bodies Today
Susie Orbach
Dec 2017 A Compassionate Approach to Recovering from Shame-Based Trauma and PTSD
Deborah Lee
May 2018 Attachment, Compassion, The Brain and Health
Graham Music
June 2018 CFT for Psychosis
Charlie Heriot-Maitland and Eleanor Longden
Jan 2019 Working with Dissociative Disorder in clinical practice
Carolyn spring
May 2019 The Power Threat Meaning Framework
A Disorder for Everyone, Lucy Johnstone
July 2019 A Compassionate Approach to Recovering from Shame-Based Trauma and PTSD
Deborah Lee
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
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
- Self criticism
- Shame
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£75.00 - £90.00
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Self funded sessions are charged at £90 for an initial consultation, which usually lasts around 80-90 minutes. Ongoing therapy is £75 per 55 minute session.
Fees for funded session eg via insurers vary in accordance with an individual insurer's fee structure.
Further information
**COVID 19 UPDATE**
I am continuing to accept new referrals and am offering therapy in person and online. Please get in touch to discuss availability
