I am only offering remote sessions at present.
I provide evidence based psychotherapy for individuals and couples. I have many year’s experience of working in the NHS in primary and secondary care and charities. I have worked in acute and forensic settings and I now I work privately. I specialise in trauma, addictions, depression, GAD, panic disorder, OCD, phobias, social anxiety, health anxiety, low self-esteem, childhood abuse, relationship problems. I also work with clients with a diagnosis of ADHD/ADD, ASD and help them manage common difficulties and develop strategies to help them feel more functional and satisfied with their life. Often many of the clients I work with have also being given a diagnosis of personality, bipolar disorders and/or psychosis.
I qualified as a CBT therapist in 2011 and Integrative Counsellor in 2005. I studied Psychology at Liverpool University and graduated with a BSc in 2002. During all of my studies I have worked part-time, so I was able to complete various courses and obtained qualifications such as an MSc in Evolutionary Psychology (specialising in addictions) and between 2013 and 2019 I completed completed a part-time Doctorate in Counselling Psychology.
I am also an an eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) accredited practitioner.
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapeutic approach designed for those struggling with the aftermath of traumatic events. It facilitates the processing of traumatic memories, aiming to reduce their long-lasting effects and promote emotional healing. This technique involves the patient recalling distressing events while receiving one of several types of bilateral sensory input, such as side-to-side eye movements. EMDR is recognised for its effectiveness in reducing the emotional distress stemming from traumatic memories. This is an evidence based treatment for PTSD and other anxiety disorders. See more info here https://tavistockandportman.nhs.uk/visiting-us/treatments/eye-movement-desensitisation-and-reprocessing/
As I am originally from Venezuela, I am bilingual and can also conduct therapy in Spanish as well as English.
I work integratively, this means integrating different aspects and interventions from various types of therapy such as CBT, humanistic, existential counselling and psychodynamic approaches in order to suit the needs of my clients, taking into account their personalities, the way we relate and presenting issues.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT has been shown to be an effective treatment for people suffering from a range of mild to moderate mental health problems such as:
• Depression and low mood
• Problems with anxiety (including Social Anxiety and Generalised Anxiety)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Specific Phobias
• Panic Disorder
• Stress
• Self-harm
• Addiction
• Relationship problems (anger / emotion dysregulation)
The CBT interventions I use are based on research evidence .
Counselling
Counselling can be helpful for coming to terms with loss and bereavement and to help you understand yourself and find solutions to your problems. Many people find that just by talking about their problems with a caring professional who listens empathically and without judging is enough help them cope and overcome their problems.
Both CBT and Counselling can also be used for dealing with addictions (drugs, alcohol, food, sex, gambling, etc), and longer terms personality problems.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
This is a form of therapy which aims to help clients understand and resolve their problems by increasing awareness of their inner world (unconscious) and its influence over relationships both past and present. It is specially effective in enabling change of deep seated personality and emotional difficulties that may have been present since childhood.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy, however is not limited to treating mental health problems as many people who experience a loss of meaning in their lives or who are seeking a greater sense of fulfilment may be helped by this type of therapy. Indeed, as part of my training I had to have psychodynamic therapy and it was very helpful for developing a greater understanding of myself, which in turn has helped me be a better therapist.
This type of therapy can also be helpful for people who have an inability to form satisfactory relationships and would prefer a less directive approach such as CBT. The relationship with the therapist is a crucial element in the therapy as patterns and ways of relating. This process helps clients reflect and gradually identify these patterns outside of therapy, and by becoming conscious of them develop the capacity to understand and change them.
If you feel you are at risk of suicide do not hesitate to see your GP, go to A&E or call 999. Please also speak to your GP if you have any queries regarding medication.
Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust have a single point of access telephone number for Crises and emergency referral available 24 hours a day: 0300 222 0123.
I am registered with the insurance companies below:
