About
I have over 20 years’ experience and extensive training as a therapist. I have worked in mental health and private practice, using several therapies, often incorporating mindfulness. These therapies can help people develop enhanced coping skills to deal with the negative experiences that life throws at us. It gives people the opportunity to work through trauma, recognise strengths and gain skills to manage extreme emotions, improve relationships, and enjoy a life that’s in line with their values.
The therapies that I specialise in include:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), including mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), for people experiencing depression and anxiety
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), for people finding it hard to manage their emotions and relationships
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), for a wide range of issues and to help people achieve a life with meaning
- Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), for working with trauma and to enable people to recover and move on
I use an integrative approach when applying these therapies to address each client’s specific issues and work collaboratively alongside them. These issues may range from anxiety to grief, depression to trauma, emotional or relationship issues, or long-term health conditions.
Position at Priory
I am a DBT therapist at Priory and have only recently joined the DBT team, although I have extensive DBT experience. I offer online appointments only.
Training
- MSc in CBT for in severe mental health issues, completed 2003-2006 at Southampton University
- EMDR training in Auckland New Zealand
- DBT training at British Isles DBT Training in 2015
- MBCT training in Australia at the Mindfulness Training Institute (MTI) in 2019
Research interests
I have completed research in using mindfulness interventions with people experiencing voices as part of my MSc and completed a MN in New Zealand.
Links to clinical articles/research papers:
- Randal, P., Stewart, M. W., Proverbs, D., Lampshire, D., Symes, J., & Hamer, H. (2009). “The Re-covery Model” – An integrative developmental stress-vulnerability-strengths approach to mental health. Psychosis: Psychological, Social and Integrative Approaches.
- Chadwick, P, Hember, M., Symes, J., Peters, E., Kuipers, E., Dagnan, D. (2008). Responding mindfully to unpleasant thoughts and images: reliability and validity of the Southampton Mindfulness Questionnaire. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 47, 451-455.