I have had the privilege of working in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as a therapist, supervisor, and trainer for a number of years. I was previously based in NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Services in North Yorkshire and Leeds, now known as NHS Talking Therapies, and until recently I worked at the University of Sheffield training future therapists and supervisors. I am now focussing solely on my private CBT practice offering both online and face-to-face appointments at The Cluntergate Centre in Horbury, Wakefield. I worked within NHS mental health services for 14 years. I completed my Postgraduate Diploma in CBT in 2011 and I have extensive experience of using CBT to help people work with emotional problems such as:
- Depression including Postnatal Depression
- Low self-esteem
- Panic attacks and agoraphobia
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Chronic worry (or Generalised Anxiety Disorder)
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Phobias
- Health anxiety
- Sleep difficulties
- Body image difficulties
- Some eating disorders
- Perfectionism
I recognise just how difficult it can be to ask for help and to start a course of therapy. I believe it is important to provide a safe and supportive environment and establish a trusting therapeutic relationship from the outset. This can help people to take the necessary steps that will ultimately reduce emotional distress and improve the quality of their lives. CBT focuses on helping people to develop a better understanding of their difficulties and learn new ways of thinking and acting. I adopt a compassionate, non-judgmental, and collaborative approach with all patients. I am also a qualified clinical supervisor and have provided supervision to individual therapists and groups, from trainees to more experienced therapists. For 6 years I was a teacher, tutor, and clinical supervisor on the IAPT CBT course at the University of Sheffield, which trains future CBT Therapists. Furthermore, I was the Programme Director for the Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Supervision, which trains clinical supervisors who supervise Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) working within schools helping children of all ages. I was also the Programme Director for the IAPT Supervisor Programme, which trains clinical supervisors who supervise clinicians working within Talking Therapies Services. I have enjoyed delivering workshops and career talks to local universities and to the public. I also acted as a discussant for a symposium on ‘IAPT and Primary Care’ and delivered a workshop at the 2019 BABCP national conference. Indeed, spreading the word that mental health matters is something that is especially important to me. I have also contributed to various pieces of research including the 2020 IAPT meta-analysis and I recently helped adapt the SAGE manual to assess low intensity CBT supervisors. I receive regular clinical supervision and ensure I am up to date with the latest developments in CBT. I am committed to Continued Professional Development and I am an accredited member of the BABCP. I am DBS checked and have Public Liability Insurance.
