I am a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, currently working part time for Dorset Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as a High Intensity CBT therapist in an IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) service.
I completed my undergraduate Psychology degree in 2005 at the University of Reading. Following this I worked for a number of years with both children and adults with Autistic Spectrum Conditions. I worked in a variety of roles including managing a supported living service for the Hampshire Autistic Society and working as an Assistant Psychologist in the private sector supporting autism diagnostic assessments and CBT interventions.
I began training as an IAPT Cognitive Behavioural Therapist in 2010. My passion is for helping others and for this reason my work has primarily been clinically focused, with additional supervisory responsibilities of both CBT trainees and qualified therapists. I have worked with adults presenting with varying degrees of complexity and psychological needs, who present with a range of mental health symptoms and conditions. For the past 12 years I have specialised in working with adults with common mental health difficulties using both individual therapy and group CBT. I carry out psychological assessments to ascertain the primary problem for the person, which may include presentations such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), depression, trauma, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), low self esteem, Health Anxiety, relationship difficulties, Body Dysmorphia and Social Phobia. Some people experience symptoms in line with more than one diagnosis and could also be affected by long-term health conditions. I like to work with the individual rather than the diagnosis.
The modalities I use are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy and mindfulness-based approaches. I have also completed EMDR training.
I consider it a privilege to offer therapy and to be trusted with a true insight into an individual’s most personal and vulnerable aspects of their life. I have been told by clients in the past that I have helped them to feel safe to open up and that they knew they were not being judged. My aim is to support someone to have the skills to become their own therapist and to reach goals that fit with their values. I am empathic and person-centred and will always treat someone how I would wish to be treated.