Clare Beavan, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

About me

I am a fully qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and EMDR (Eye Movement, Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapist.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a recognised therapy by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as being effective for the treatment of anxiety, depression and trauma.

Having a range of emotions is normal but they can become difficult if we begin to experience them too severely and frequently; they are distressing and can start to impact on our lives and wellbeing. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps the individual to understand the relationship between emotions, thoughts (cognitions) and behaviours to understand what it is that is maintaining their mood.

I work alongside the individual to develop this understanding and we use it as a springboard to develop individual strategies to overcome the problem and allow the person to return to their previous self, and become their own therapist.

Alongside my CBT, I am interested in Compassion Focused Therapy which has growing evidence to support the alleviation of distress that people can feel and further strengthens the work carried out using CBT.

I am an accredited member with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP) the lead organisation for CBT in the UK. Accreditation means that I have completed the training and am competent to practise as a CBT therapist. It requires that I keep up to date with evidence based research and the development of skills and techniques.

Accreditation is important, even if you do not choose to use my service I would suggest that you check that your therapist is accredited with the BABCP, if it is CBT that you are seeking out.

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a brief and effective evidence based treatment that is recognised by NICE for the treatment of trauma and other emotional disorders. When we experience a traumatic event or events, the memories can sometimes go unprocessed leaving the individual with negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours; this therapy helps to process the distress this causes and restore well being. I am a registered member of the UK and Ireland EMDR Association.

For more information please look at the link ‘What is EMDR?’ on emdrassociation.org.uk