Michael Cobden
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Welcome! I’m Michael. I am a fully accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Therapist registered with the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). I work part-time for the NHS in an Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) service, now known as Talking Therapies and I also work as a private practitioner.
I provide short to medium-term psychological support to help you understand why you are feeling this way, what is maintaining the problem, and then, crucially, how we will address this through treatment to help you feel better. I have lots of experience helping people through a range of challenges, such as depression, generalised anxiety, social anxiety, health anxiety, panic, agoraphobia, eating disorders, specific phobias, OCD, PTSD, insomnia and emetophobia.
I offer predominantly online remote video sessions to people all over the world but can accommodate in-person appointments in the Twickenham (South West London) area if preferred.
You can expect from me a warm, compassionate, and non-judgemental approach. I believe you are the expert of your experience and I am here to help shine a light, gain further understanding and knowledge and teach you skills and techniques to become your own therapist and be the change you want to see.
I know it can feel overwhelming to find the right therapist, as there are a lot of choices. I believe that finding the right therapist that suits your individual needs and personality is important. Send me a message, and we can arrange a free telephone consultation to see how we get on, and I can tell you whether I think I can help you or not.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
- PG Diploma High-Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (BABCP Accredited) Royal Holloway University.
- Mental Health First Aid Instructor – Mental Health First Aid England (2022).
- Mental Health First Aider – Mental Health First Aid England (2021)
- Suicide First Aid – Suicide First Aid (2021).
- Talented Athlete Lifestyle Support (TALS) – St. Mary’s University (2021).
- Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – Online Academies (2018)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) Sports Science – St. Mary’s University.
CPD/Further Training
- Safeguarding – NSPCC (2024).
- Attachment – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) (2024)
- Working therapeutically with teenagers – Bespoke Mental Health (2024)
- Cultural Competence - Nafsiyat Intercultural Therapy Centre (2023).
- Working with intersectionality in student mental health – Kings College (2023).
- Humanistic and Existential Psychotherapies – Central & North West London NHS Trust (2022).
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapies – Central & North West London NHS Trust (2022).
- Systemic Psychotherapies – Central & North West London NHS Trust (2022).
- Safeguarding Adults Level 3 – West London NHS Trust (2022).
- Emergency First Aid – West London NHS Trust (2022).
- Menopause Training – Blooming Menopause (2022).
- Information Governance and Record Management – West London NHS Trust (2022).
- Equality & Diversity Training – University of West London (2022).
- Drug and alcohol use and misuse – University of West London (2021).
- Maastricht Interview Training for problematic thoughts, beliefs and paranoia – 2020.
- Early Intervention in Psychosis – West London Mental Health Trust (2019).
- Neurodiversity screening – Educational Psychologists (2016)
- Making Sense of Autism – National Autistic Society (2015).
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
Up to £125.00
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Free initial telephone consultation (20 minutes).
£125 per session (50 minutes)
€145 per session (50 minutes)
$155 per session (50 minutes)
I offer a limited number of concession rates to people on low income.
When I work
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Further information
My undergraduate degree is in Sports Science (BSc) and my first professional roles were as a Sports Scientist for Harlequins Rugby Club and Fulham FC. My passion for mental health and wellbeing led me to switch my career to the education sector, where I worked in various roles in Further Education and Higher Education. I progressed in my career and held the position of Head of Wellbeing at two London Universities, where I oversaw the management and delivery of multi-disciplinary teams (Counselling, Mental Health, Disability, Welfare and Faith) supporting the wellbeing of students and providing advice and guidance to staff. This gives me a unique insight into the pressures and challenges of studying, working and balancing the demands of life.
Having previously worked as a Disability and Wellbeing Adviser, I have knowledge and experience supporting people with disabilities and neurodiversity (dyslexia, dyspraxia, AD(H)D and autism).
A bit about me. I have been married since 2019. I don’t have any children, but I hope to be able to in the future. I have two cats, Pixie and Eddie. I enjoy keeping fit and playing a variety of different sports. I have been practising yoga since I was 16 and try to do some yoga most mornings. I enjoy cold water swimming, so I love getting into lakes or the sea at any time of the year when I can. I spend most of my savings travelling and experiencing different countries and cultures. I’m not a great cook, but I am getting better. I enjoy walks in nature, listening to vinyl records and spending time with my wife, friends, and family.
