About me
To others it looks like you're coping well — but on the inside, you're really struggling.
Maybe you’re constantly doubting yourself, overthinking everything, or feeling like you’re just one mistake away from being exposed. You push yourself to do well, but rarely feel good enough. Others may see you as capable and accomplished, but inside, you feel anxious, self-critical, and stuck in patterns that no longer serve you.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone — and you're not the problem.
In therapy, we'll work together to develop a clear understanding of your problems, looking at the patterns of thinking and behaviour that are keeping you stuck, and at how they persist despite your efforts to change or overcome them. We'll explore how these patterns make sense in the context of your experiences, and how they may be unintentionally reinforcing the very difficulties you're trying to move past. From there, we'll build skills to respond more effectively to the difficult thoughts and feelings — freeing you from your struggles, allowing you to trust yourself, and live more consistently with your goals and values.
Clients often tell me that they can finally understand their problems — that they feel understood and no longer alone with what they’re going through. My approach is warm, collaborative, and thoughtful — not about fixing you, but about helping you understand how you have become stuck, with more clarity and compassion. I draw on therapies like CBT, ACT, CFT, and EMDR to offer practical tools, alongside a space where we can explore things at your pace.
I’ll support you in stepping back from self-criticism, working with rather than against your emotions, and finding ways forward that feel true to who you are — not just what you think you “should” be.
My work is guided by a few core values:
Compassion — meeting yourself with care, especially when it's hard.
Clarity — understanding what’s really going on, not just what’s on the surface.
Autonomy — helping you feel more in charge of your choices, rather than driven by fear or self-doubt.
Sustainability — building changes that can last because they’re rooted in what matters to you.
Taking the first step can feel daunting, especially when you're used to handling things on your own.
If anything in this profile resonates with you, you're very welcome to get in touch. We can have an initial conversation to see if it feels like a good fit, and go from there at a pace that works for you.
Sessions are available online (UK-wide) and in-person in Rainham, Kent.
Take the first step: Visit my website deanwatkinstherapy.co.uk to book a free, no-obligation 15-minute consultation call to see if we're a good fit.
Training, qualifications & experience
- BABCP Accredited CBT Therapist
- EMDR - Part 3
- Postgraduate Diploma in Compassion Focused Therapy - Compassionate Mind Foundation
- BSc in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy - University of Derby
- Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive therapy for Severe and Enduring mental health problems - University of Southampton
- Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive approaches to therapy and counselling - Goldsmiths, London
- Diploma in Nursing - Mental Health - University of Plymouth
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
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
Impostor Syndrome
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£85.00 per session
