TalkingCBT

I am an accredited Integrative Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist based in
East Horsley in Surrey. I currently work in private practice talkingCBT
(www.talkingcbt.com) conducting face to face and online therapy to private
clients aged 18 +.

During my three years training with the College of Cognitive Behavioural
Therapies in London, I have been introduced to a number of third wave CBT
modalities including CFT and ACT which I have found extremely helpful when
working with a range of clients and found how well they compliment the core
Cognitive Behavioural work (CT and REBT).

Prior to training as an Integrative Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, I worked
as a City trained solicitor working for three City law firms, specialising in Wills and
Trust law for over 10 years.

Whilst working in such a demanding industry in the City during my thirties and
forties, whilst my two children were very young, it struck me how difficult it was
for professionals to build and maintain a rewarding career whilst raising a young
family trying to meet the commitments that both demanded. For women in
particular, this period in a woman’s life is also often when they also face fertility
challenges which add additional stress and anxiety. At this point in time, law firms
provided no mental health support.

As a result, five years ago, I decided to train as a cognitive behavioural a coach
due to the rising need to provide psychological support to professionals in the
legal sector in particular (including trainee solicitors, experienced solicitors,
Partners and barristers) who, I had seen at first hand, often struggle to find a
healthy work-life balance. Many of my clients required help and support to help
them find ways to manage their stress and anxiety as they coped with the
increasing demands of both their legal careers and those of bringing up a family,
caring for elderly parents or returning to work once their children had left home.
I found that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy was extremely effective in my
coaching work due to its collaborative practical and solution focused nature.
However, during the coaching process, it became increasingly evident that many
of my clients were struggling with a wide range of mental health challenges –
most notably anxiety and depression and very low self-esteem issues which often
necessitated a referral to a suitable counsellor.
This prompted me three years ago, to commence my training as a psychotherapist specialising in CBT.

I believe that through my own personal and professional life experiences, I have
the requisite personal qualities to form a healthy and effective counselling
relationship with potential clients and the capacity to meet the intellectual,
emotional and practical demands of the course and of providing counselling in a
professional context.
I believe that with my clinical psychotherapy and coaching training together with
my own academic, personal and professional experience, I have the requisite
qualities to form healthy and effective counselling relationships with clients. My
aim is to help them to understand their emotional and behavioural challenges
more clearly and rationally and to learn life-long skills to manage them more
effectively and to set realistic goals for themselves both in their professional and
private lives to enable them to make positive healthy steps forward.

Personally, I have attended an eight-week MBSR course with Ed Halliwell and, as a
result, have incorporated both formal and informal mindfulness practices into my
daily life. I find them particularly helpful in managing my daily stressors.

Professional Accreditations

National Counselling Society (NCS) – Accredited Registrant. MNCS (Acc)
BACP – Individual Member. In the process of applying for Registered Member
status (MBACP) expected June 2022.
CBT and Mindfulness qualifications
• 2021/22: Advanced Diploma in Integrative CBT/REBT – College of Cognitive
Behavioural Therapies - Distinction
• 2020/21: Advanced Diploma in CBT/REBT - College of Cognitive
Behavioural Therapies – Distinction.
• 2019/20: Diploma in CBT/REBT College of Cognitive Behavioural Therapies
– Distinction.
• 2019: Certificate in Counselling Skills and Ethics course College of
Cognitive Behavioural Therapies.
• 2020: Teacher training (MBSR/MBCT) Level 1 Mindfulness
Network/Bangor University.
• 2020: ‘Finding Peace in A Frantic World ‘– Teacher training. Chris Cullen.
Oxford Mindfulness Centre.
• 2019/20: Level 4 Certificate "Integrating Mindfulness and Compassion in
Professional practice." (CPCAB). Mindfulness UK – accredited teacher

Clinical experience

• Affiliate Integrative CBT therapist at The Eaves Counselling and Psychology
Practice – Godalming, Surrey – one day a week
• Accredited CBT therapist for Anxiety UK - 2019 - present
• CBT therapist with NHS G.P. practice – London - 2019 - 2022
Academic and professional background
• 2019 -2021 – College of Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, London.
• 1995 – 2006 – Associate solicitor at Theodore Goddard, Allen & Overy and
Smyth Barkham.
• 1993-1995 - Law Degree (Commendation) - University of The West of
England.
• 1985 -1988 - MA Geography - Cambridge University

I offer face to face therapy at The Eaves Counselling and Psychology in Godalming on Thursday afternoons.

I also offer online therapy to those clients who live outside Surrey on Tuesdays ( 9.00 a.m. - 6 pm), Wednesdays ( 9.00 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Thursday mornings 9.00 a.m. - 11.30 a.m.)