About me
I am an experienced Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, accredited by the BABCP, an accredited EMDR Practitioner, and a clinical supervisor. I am also trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy. I have been a registered nurse (RN), since 2006, and I highly value quality care. I work collaboratively with the client to identify how therapy can meet the client's needs and goals.
I work with a variety of psychological difficulties including:
- Depression
- Anxiety Disorders: OCD, Social Anxiety, Generalised Anxiety, Health Anxiety, Panic Disorder and Specific Phobias
- Loss and traumatic grief
- PTSD, Complex PTSD
- Childhood Trauma
- Complex Trauma
- Interpersonal difficulties and relationship issues
- Autism Spectrum Condition and ADHD
- Perinatal Depression and Anxiety
- Perinatal Loss
- Parent support
CBT is a well established evidence-based psychotherapy, and it is the therapy of choice for anxiety and depression. CBT is a talking therapy that recognises that when we become distressed, we repeat unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour, which maintain our difficulties, and make us feel stuck. Understanding the cycles of those patterns, and gradually modifying unhelpful beliefs and behaviours, we can alleviate distress and relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.
In addition to my core training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, I draw on a variety of cognitive and behavioural approaches, such as dialectical behavioural therapy, compassion-focused therapy, schema-based cognitive therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
I have extensive experience in EMDR therapy, I am an accredited EMDR Practitioner / Consultant-in-Training, and I offer EMDR as a comprehensive psychotherapy or as a symptom reduction therapy, depending on client's needs. EMDR is a very effective and powerful psychotherapy that enable us to process the impact of past traumatic events. Traumatic events can cause disturbances or interrupt emotional development and can have long-lasting effects on emotional wellbeing and the way we relate to ourselves and others. EMDR helps us to process past trauma, find relief from emotional distress, and break unhelpful relational patterns.
I am also trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. IFS is a very empowering, non-pathologizing psychotherapy, that is based on systems thinking and it views the mind as system of parts led by the core self. Each part is viewed as having its own viewpoint and role, with the intention of keeping the system safe and functioning. Distressing life experiences, either in childhood or adult life, can force those parts to assume extreme roles to protect the system, as in, keep us going. Perfectionism, generalised anxiety, withdrawal, burn-out, addiction, hopelessness, can all be some of extreme parts, that try in their own way to help us cope. Mindfulness, compassion, acceptance, values, are all core aspects of IFS therapy, which enable emotional processing and help us access and heal those parts.
I take a compassion-focused approach to mental health, where depression and anxiety are not viewed as an illness, but rather as a sign of a personal struggle, or a symptom of past distressing experiences. I work in a collaborative and accepting manner helping the client to explore and make sense of these difficulties. When we find ourselves in distress, we often get stuck in unhelpful patterns of thinking and relating to others. CBT helps us to develop alternative, more flexible and helpful coping mechanisms. Whilst CBT can be focused on the here and now, sometimes, we may also work on past experiences or trauma to address present symptoms and improve relationships. Trauma-focused therapy, EMDR, and IFS can be very effective in helping us acknowledge these experiences, and repair the emotions, negative beliefs and unhelpful responses that lead to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and relationship issues. The pace of therapy and the focus of the work is tailored to the individual needs and wishes of the client.
Following extensive experience working with adults and young people with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), I use cognitive and behavioural interventions for depression and anxiety, adapted to the specific individual needs of clients with such conditions. I take a strengths-focused approach, working with the client to identify both strengths and challenges and make best use of the person's positive qualities, to increase resilience and overcome existing difficulties. Both my private work and previous NHS roles involve adapting psychological therapy for ASC and ADHD. My work on ASC also includes specialist supervision and the development and delivery of training on adapting CBT for adults with ASC.
I also work with perinatal depression and anxiety, focusing on helping parents to understand the young brain, and overcome challenges using reflective parenting and attachment-focused approaches. I take a trauma-informed approach when working with parents, exploring why certain situations or children's behaviours are particularly triggering and distressing. I help parents to process these difficulties, honouring their own needs and boundaries, whilst empathising with the child's state of mind, meeting the child's needs and maintaining connection.
If you wish to book an appointment, please contact me using my contact form at the top of my profile.
Training, qualifications & experience
BSc Nursing, Registered Nurse (RM)
BSc Psychology
PGCert in Psychological Therapies
PGDip in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, BABCP accredited
EMDR level 1, 2 and 3, Accredited EMDR Practitioner
IFS Level 1 Training
I have more than 20 years of experience in mental health. For the last 15 years I have been working as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist in the NHS and in my private practice.
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.
