Making the decision to attend therapy can often feel overwhelming. However, for most people, this can be an extremely positive and empowering experience that engenders greater self-awareness and understanding.

My name is Collette and I am a fully accredited and qualified Cognitive (CBT) Psychotherapist, working in Wimbledon, London SW19. I also provide online CBT via Skype and video link.

I specialise in working with adults. I have over 8 years of experience and being fully accredited means that I have achieved the highest standard in the practice of CBT and thus adhere to stringent codes of professional practice and ethical standards.

CBT is an evidenced-based therapy, recommended by NICE, that has proven to be extremely effective in the treatment of most problems we encounter. This means that I am able to incorporate a wide range and variety of established, researched and evidence-based psychological techniques in my practise and therapy with you. Not only has its effectiveness been evidenced by extensive research but also by my own clinical experience of seeing what really helps people.

I place a great emphasis on the quality of the therapeutic relationship with clients and firmly believe this to be a key contributor to the overall success of therapy and to the development of a positive therapeutic experience. This open, collaborative and honest alliance based on good rapport and trust is an approach that has contributed to my clients' on-going motivation to attend their therapy sessions and to improve the overall quality of their lives.

You, as the client, are considered the expert who knows your own problems better than anyone. Only you can give me insight to help me to understand the painful issues and difficulties you are experiencing. In your therapy and through increased self-awareness, you will learn to take responsibility for improving the quality of your life: by changing unhelpful patterns of behaviours and negative thoughts. My role is to guide, assist and support you through this challenging process. I am committed to working with you to find realistic and long-term solutions and to develop and apply new skills and techniques to change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour.

My approach is collaborative, empathic, warm, informal and relaxed, which allows for a safe and comfortable space to allow you to explore your thoughts, feelings and unhelpful behaviours without judgement.

Through the use of numerous specialist and transferable skills and knowledge, I am committed to providing an individualised, high quality therapeutic experience based on best practice and prioritisation of you and your needs.

I have a passionate interest in treating OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), Anxiety, Stress, Habit Disorders, Eating Disorders, Body Dysmorphia, Depression, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Low Self-Esteem issues (lack of confidence and self-worth), Social Anxiety (formerly known as social phobia), Specific Phobias (including blood phobia), Panic (panic attacks and panic disorder), GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder), Anger, Health Anxiety and Sleep Difficulties. I also work with couples and treat relationship and sexual problems.

My aim is to provide a quality of therapy that I would be comfortable for my loved ones to attend. I value having open, informal, relaxed, empathic, warm, collaborative and honest relationships with my clients whilst always maintaining good rapport and trust, respect, integrity, and dignity.

My extensive experience of working in Clinical Social Work for over 20 years, in various community and hospital settings and with various mental health presentations, has contributed to a holistic assessment and approach when working with individuals, rather then focusing on the medical nature of the individual’s symptoms and problems. Prior to this, I practised as a Social Worker/Counsellor in South Africa, Berlin and London.

Following my professional training, I worked within a large NHS Staff Counselling Service where my role comprised of assessing and providing therapy to various NHS staff members exhibiting a variety of mental presentations and difficulties.

Thereafter, I worked within a large, national and independent Cognitive Behavioural Therapy practice. I have since been working in my own private practice for the past two years which has contributed greatly to my own professional development and has further increased my experience in treating a wider range of psychological, emotional and behavioural problems.

Training and Qualifications

• MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (Distinction)
• PGDip in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Adults)
• Post Qualifying Award in Social Work
• BA (Hons) Clinical Psychology
• BSocSC (Hons) Clinical Social Work

I have undertaken advanced training in a number of different Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT); Compassion-Focussed Therapy (CFT), Couples Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Schema Focused Therapy.