ABOUT ME
I have been a Specialist palliative care nurse for many years supporting dying patients and their families through loss and grief. To support with this I trained in general counselling skills and as a Cognitive Therapist (CT).
I am now a student therapist in Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT) with the College of CBT based in Bath, Somerset.
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I am registered with The National Counselling Society.
ABOUT COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY
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This is the psychological model I work with. There are two main Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approaches. COGNITIVE THERAPY (CT) and RATIONAL EMOTIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (REBT).
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CBT is based on the principle that our unwanted emotions and behaviours are maintained by the beliefs we hold of our selves, others and the world. These beliefs steer thoughts and behaviours which maintain our difficult emotional and behavioural responses to events in our lives. For instance if you have rigid rules about the way people should behave towards you, you are likely to feel anger if they don't behave in the way you think they must. If you interpret a situation as threatening or dangerous then you are likely to experience anxiety.
If your thoughts and beliefs about yourself, others and the world are unchallenged then these patterns are maintained and intensify. They are unhealthy and unhelpful beliefs. We get stuck in them by making rigid, inflexible demands on ourselves, others and the world around us. We develop "musts" and "shoulds" such as I must do well at my exams or I am no good. Other people must treat me well, if they don't they are no good. I must get what I want or it's terrible and I can't stand it.
These are irrational beliefs. CBT helps people to identify these as unhealthy, challenge their logic, truth and helpfulness. Then turn the unhealthy beliefs into healthy beliefs. It gives you the tools to become your own therapist in the future.
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INITIAL CONTACT
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I will respond to any messages (email or phone) within 48 hours. I will contact you and discuss briefly your issues and arrange an appointment. This initial appointment will last 1hour and will cost £32. This will provide opportunity to explore the issues you are struggling with and also learn how I will work collaboratively with you. This will be the time to decide if counselling is right for you. If so we will book a series of sessions.
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YOUR COUNSELLING
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If you decide to start counselling each session will last 50 minutes and cost £30. This is a reduced rate as I am a student, currently practicing at CK Clinic, Bumpers Farm, Chippenham. We will regularly review our work so that you and I can both ensure that you are getting what you want from our time together. It works best if the sessions are face to face, weekly and in the clinic but I understand that sometimes life gets in the way. If this is the case we can discuss how we proceed forward.