CBT is based on the idea that the way you think and behave in a situation can affect how you feel. It therefore helps you to identify, understand and change unhelpful thoughts and behavioural patterns to help you to feel better.

Together we will start by identifying overwhelming problems and breaking these down into smaller parts.

CBT involves a collaborative approach that empowers you! You will play an active role within the therapeutic process which will include the completion of tasks in between sessions like a thought record, behavioural experiment or coping strategy that I introduce and explain in-session.

As CBT is goal-focused, it is usually relatively short-term, lasting anywhere from 3-6 months. However, the length of therapy is also highly dependent on your goals. I have some clients that want to work through multiple different issues and challenges they are facing and choose to work with me for a longer period of time to accomplish these. Our initial consultation will give me a better idea of whether short-term or long-term therapy will be suitable and helpful in supporting you.

CBT therapy sessions most commonly occur on a weekly basis, but I am happy to tailor session frequency to what works best for you.

The first session involves an assessment where I ask you to elaborate on the difficulties you’re experiencing, we agree on what you’d like to work on , and we set goals together.

All sessions following assessment will focus on understanding your difficulties and developing evidence-based tools and strategies to effectively address them. Session 2 onwards will follow a similar structure whereby we start the session by setting an agenda together. After this, we discuss your difficulties and explore together how these can be managed using CBT theory and strategies. You will leave each session with a home task we have collaboratively agreed on, to complete in time for the next session where we can review it together.

These home tasks are a key ingredient of CBT because in order to make and maintain the changes we discuss, practice is necessary. The work you do at home plays a crucial role in improving your mental health and well-being.

The versatility of CBT makes it highly beneficial for anyone.

Research has proven CBT to be effective for stress, generalized anxiety, low mood, panic attacks, phobias, OCD, PTSD, health anxiety, social anxiety, eating disorders, low self-esteem, perfectionism, long term health conditions and insomnia.

However, CBT techniques are also highly effective for maintaining general emotional health and wellbeing, regardless of whether it is associated with a particular issue or not. CBT is helpful to anyone struggling with negative thoughts or difficult situations.

The cognitive behavioural therapy approach offers several unique advantages.

1. CBT empowers you. The process encourages you to develop your own self-awareness so that you can identify and challenge critical thoughts and unhelpful behaviours as they arise. CBT focuses on the present tense, offering you a practical approach to your current issues. Throughout the therapeutic journey, you’ll also develop and implement healthier coping strategies that allow you to take back control of your mental health and become an active participant in creating a happier future for yourself. The skills you learn in CBT provide a life-long toolkit that you can implement as and when you need them.

2. CBT is time-efficient and the effects are long-lasting. CBT provides short- term yet highly-effective and evidence-based therapy with long-lasting results. It provides you with strategies you will be able to use for any future difficulties you come across.

3. CBT develops self-esteem and confidence. CBT encourages you to manage anxiety and challenge the negative thoughts that stand between you and your goals. By understanding how your mind works, and learning how to effectively structure and approach your goals, you will gain more confidence in your abilities to achieve them.

4. CBT develops more rational thought processes. CBT teaches you to think rationally and evaluate the appropriate response in difficult situations instead of allowing negative thoughts to control you. By encouraging you to base your thoughts on factual evidence, rather than your opinions of yourself, you will become more skilled at seeing yourself in a clear, rational and objective way.

No, I work with clients all over the world! All you need is your laptop and a good internet connection.

No, I specialise in online CBT so all sessions take place on Zoom. Research has shown that online therapy is just as effective as face-to-face CBT.

It also means that you can access therapy from the comfort of your own home - no travel time, parking fees and no waiting rooms! All you need is a phone, tablet or laptop to access Zoom.

So get comfy, put a candle on and grab a coffee/cup of tea and let’s start your self-discovery, healing and personal growth journey!

No, I don't provide crisis support. If you require emergency support, please go to A&E or call 999. You can contact your GP or local NHS mental health service for urgent support or call the Samaritans on 116 123 for emotional support.

What makes my approach so unique is:

1. My values. I always lead with compassion, openness and honesty. It is important to me that you feel safe and validated within therapy. This nurtures a therapeutic relationship based on trust and understanding from which we can successfully explore and challenge difficult feelings, thoughts and behaviours as a team.

2. I am committed to your wellbeing. My genuine belief that no one deserves to suffer from bad mental health means that I pour maximal care into your treatment. My priority is understanding your goals for therapy and tailoring your treatment to these goals. It is important to me that you leave each session with closure on what was covered and how to move forward.

3. My approach to therapy. Having worked within the NHS, charities and the private sector, I have extensive knowledge and experience of how to work with a range of simple and complex mental health needs. I have additional training in trauma, long-term conditions and third-wave therapies . My approach is unique as I draw from different models and effectively mix and match coping strategies to deliver a nuanced and deeply personal experience that best suits your unique therapeutic needs. I remain committed to updating my therapeutic knowledge through attending training days on a regular basis.