Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy and EMDR
I am a BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist (CBT) and EMDR therapist with extensive experience of the assessment and treatment of a wide range of mental health problems.
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I take a warm, compassionate, motivated and empathetic stance in working with clients and develop effective therapeutic relationships with treatment that is evidence based, solution focused and goal orientated. I work collaboratively with clients to help them to understand that they are an expert by their own experience and have the strength, wisdom and resilience to make changes to improve the relationship with themselves and others.
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I strongly value the importance of self-reflection and through clinical supervision and my own personal development and regular attendance at CPD events keep my mind a curious and enquiring one.
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What is CBT?
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Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBT) is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy recommended by the National Institute for Health and Excellence (NICE) for the treatment of a wide range of mental health problems in adults, older adults, young people and children.
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It is based on the theory that our cognitions (thoughts, beliefs, assumptions), feelings, behaviours and how our body feels are interconnected and that mental distress is maintained by negative cognitions and behaviours that can be locked into vicious cycles. CBT identifies that past experiences and adversities can influence the development of negative cognitive patterns and unhelpful behaviours that then lead to distress, resulting in a negative impact across social, private and occupational functioning as well as within our interpersonal relationships, and the relationship we have with ourselves.
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CBT aims to help individuals better understand what is currently maintaining difficulties, offering workable solutions to enable meaningful change and resolution to improve emotional wellbeing and the relationships we have with ourselves and others in the world.
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What is EMDR?
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Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an integrative psychotherapy used to help people recover from distressing events and the problems they have caused. EMDR has been extensively researched and is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be used to help with anger, pain, long-standing negative beliefs and phobias.
When we experience a traumatic event our brains feel overwhelmed and sometimes are unable to fully process what happened. The memory of the event can become “stuck” and thus remains vivid, real and easily triggered.
EMDR aims to help the brain “unstick” and reprocess traumatic or difficult memories and to desensitise the intense emotions so that memories are no longer bothersome. Please see the below video which explains how EMDR works.
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About me
Online Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBT) and EMDR
Clinical experience
I have worked in the field of mental health for over 10 years, both in statutory and non-statutory settings, working with individuals from different demographic, ethnic, social and cultural backgrounds. I have a firm understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of mental health disorders and how treatment is informed. I have extensive experience in the assessment, formulation and treatment of common mental health problems and have particular competence in the ability to assess, detect and respond to the probability of risk, including child safeguarding issues and adult protection concerns. I have a comprehensive understanding of
socio-economic and cultural factors that can impact overall mental wellbeing, as well as how the experience of mental illness can change across the lifespan.
As well as my private work I also work in a busy specialist perinatal mental health service within the NHS. I have supervised trainee Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapists completing their training at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience at Kings College London.
I hold a particular interest, and have additional training, in the perinatal mental health period, PTSD and trauma.
Problems treated:
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depression
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obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
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health anxiety
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post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other reactions to trauma and traumatic grief
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specific phobias
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generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
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social anxiety
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panic disorder
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stress
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low self esteem
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agoraphobia
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body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
Perinatal mental heath problems
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The perinatal mental health period is from conception, during pregnancy and up to one year after birth. I specialise in the treatment of difficulties that can occur during this period such as:
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postnatal depression
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maternal obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
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tokophobia (fear of pregnancy and childbirth)
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birth trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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attachment and bonding difficulties (antenatal & postnatal)
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perinatal loss
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PTSD
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single and multiple event traumas
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working with shame and guilt
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working with moral Injury
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Post-traumatic stress disorder may occur in people who have (directly or indirectly) experienced, witnessed or been threatened with death, sexual violence or serious injury. PTSD can result in individuals having intense and disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience long after the event has ended. Past experiences are also relived through flashbacks or nightmares along with hypervigilance and avoidance of reminders of the event.
Specialisms
Contact
Please contact me below if you wish to arrange an initial assessment or if you have any queries.
I am also happy to be contacted by email at natalie@nmtherapy.co.uk.