I discovered that I was interested in ‘people’ when I studied psychology whilst in college. Why we do what we do, how we understand ourselves and each other, and how our experiences shape us, was all quite fascinating for me. From this, I decided to take my undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Cardiff, where I had the opportunity to gain some work experience in the third year, and I found myself as a volunteer Psychology Assistant in the Psychology Department at Wandsworth Prison in London. I worked with a dedicated team of Forensic Psychologists and other professionals, and learnt how psychological theory could be applied to help others, even in the most difficult of settings.

My Experience

After I graduated, and had spent some time doing other things, I got a placement in 2004 as a Graduate Mental Health worker for one year in the Personality Disorder Service in Leicester. So began my career in therapy services in the NHS, and I stayed within the Personality Disorder Service for the next five years.

The Personality Disorder Service in Leicester is a specialist groupwork service, dedicated to those with severe and long-standing complex emotional and behavioural problems. I worked in various parts of the Service, facilitating formal and informal psychotherapeutic groups as the main core of the work, and also providing some training and peer supervision with colleagues. Whilst part of this service, I began my formal training in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy at the University of Derby.

On qualifying as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist in 2009, I moved into the primary care sector to offer individual and group CBT for problems that include depression, anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, emotional regulation problems and shame, amongst others. As well as CBT, I am trained in Compassion Focused Therapy (for people who struggle to overcome a high sense of shame) and in Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Sessions I Offer

I currently offer regular sessions as follows;
Mondays fortnightly,
Tuesdays weekly and weekends,
also fortnightly.

Supervision

I also offer clinical CBT supervision to other CBT Practitioners and CBT trainees. Please contact me on the number below to enquire about this further.

I have been providing psychological therapies within NHS services since 2007. My career started in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health service working with children, their families and educational professionals. I went on to working in adult learning disability services supporting all those involved in the care of an adult with additional needs before broadening to work with adults experiencing a wider spectrum of mental health needs. All of my professional roles have involved delivering psychological treatment using a range of approaches and intervention to help individuals overcome their mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, low self-esteem and difficulties with emotional regulation. This has enabled me in my current practice to work in a skilled and respectful manner using a range of effective therapeutic approaches that are tailored to your specific needs.

The psychological approaches I am currently trained to offer include:

Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy
Compassion Focused Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing
Imagery rescripting and reprocessing for childhood traumas.
I have a special interest in trauma work, the use of mindfulness-based approaches in the maintenance of progress, and in supporting individuals on the autistic spectrum.

I understand that sometimes life can be challenging and at such times it can be hard to work things out alone. Whatever difficulties in your life which have led you to seek therapy, I can offer a comfortable, safe and confidential environment to freely discuss, explore and find solutions utilising a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapeutic approach (CBT). Working collaboratively and at your own pace, CBT can find ways to enable you to move forwards with your life in a direction that is right for you. On your journey to well-being, CBT will teach you new techniques and build on existing skills to help you overcome obstacles that life can throw your way. Depending on your availability and the appropriate intervention tailored to your needs, we may meet weekly or fortnightly, also setting out of session work for you to try at home.
I began working within the NHS in Mental Health Services over 11 years ago after completing an undergraduate Psychology Degree (BSc Psychology (Hons)). I qualified as a CBT therapist in 2011 and became fully accredited by the BABCP in 2013. Throughout my career in the NHS I have worked in a variety of settings, including individual and group therapy services. I have trained in a number of evidence based treatments and can therefore tailor the interventions offered to your needs and what you would like to achieve from therapy. Alongside the fundamental difficulties CBT was developed for such as Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Panic, Phobias, Poor Self-Confidence, Sleep, OCD and others, the specialist areas I am also trained in which also take on a CBT Approach are:

Compassion Focussed Therapy; for people who struggle with high shame and self-criticism.
Social Problem Solving; utilising a problem solving method to improve decision making, finding solutions to life’s problems and building a self-efficacy.
Imagery Re-scripting and Reprocessing Therapy; for childhood trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy; also for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety and Phobias.
A website can only get across so much information, so if you’d like to seek further information, please do not hesitate to call or email.

In 2002 I began my transition from a career in public health to one in psychotherapy. This was driven by a desire to work more closely with individuals to help them make healing positive changes in their lives and recover from difficult experiences.
As my career progressed, I developed a special interest in working with trauma. I completed a diploma in trauma and abuse before doing my MSc in CBT, and am currently completing a post graduate diploma in traumatology. This has equipped me to work more effectively with a range of difficulties associated with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.
More recently, I had the benefit of training in mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) which has great results for helping people manage depression and stress, as well as other psychological challenges.
At Opus Therapy Solutions, we recognise the importance of treating people as individuals. As such we don’t try and fit you into a model of treatment. We work with you to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you to help you deal with whatever has brought you to therapy, and move forward in a positive way.
If you would like further information or to arrange an appointment, please feel free to contact me by email or phone.