Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in Central London

Understanding the cycle, not blaming yourself

CBT examines the relationship between thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and behaviour. Difficulties are often maintained by understandable attempts to feel safer—such as avoidance, reassurance seeking, checking, overpreparing or withdrawing—which may bring short-term relief but keep the problem going.

Together, we develop a shared understanding of your particular cycle. This formulation gives the work focus and helps us choose interventions that are relevant to your goals rather than applying techniques mechanically.

Active, collaborative therapy

Sessions combine reflection with practical change. Depending on the difficulty, this may include behavioural experiments, graded exposure, work with intrusive thoughts, attention training, activity scheduling, compassion-focused strategies or trauma-focused methods.

CBT is collaborative and transparent: we review what is helping, make sense of setbacks and develop skills that you can continue using beyond therapy. The pace is agreed with you and adapted when other emotional or relational factors need attention.

Specialist clinical training

I completed an Advanced Diploma in High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at Royal Holloway, University of London, and am accredited by BABCP. My wider integrative and psychodynamic training allows CBT to be delivered with attention to your history, relationships, identity and broader emotional world.

How a maintenance cycle might look in everyday life

An illustrative example might be someone who fears making a mistake at work, repeatedly checks every email and seeks reassurance from colleagues. The checking briefly reduces anxiety but strengthens the belief that uncertainty is dangerous. CBT would map this cycle, test predictions through carefully agreed behavioural experiments and help the person learn from what actually happens. This example is illustrative and is not based on a specific client.

Assessment identifies triggers, beliefs, emotions, physical responses, safety behaviours and the impact on daily life. Progress may be reviewed using agreed goals, standardised symptom questionnaires and individual measures linked to your formulation, such as time spent checking or situations approached without avoidance.