CBT for OCD - Sexual Content and Fear of Contamination

After having mild OCD for 6 years, which I thought I was managing properly, it suddenly got a lot worse, when the sexual intrusive thoughts became more frequent and distressing. They were causing me a great deal of anxiety and impacting my life to a great degree. 

I began Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) with Sarah. I noticed a great improvement and reduction in intrusive sexual thoughts after 5 sessions. In my following appointments we worked on contamination OCD, which has hugely improved. I have gained the tools and skills to prevent a relapse. I have also developed greater insight about what maintains OCD. I realised that I had not been managing my intrusions effectively or helpfully over the past 6 years which allowed them to increase.

I was very glad that I didn’t have to go into detail about my intrusive thoughts and I have felt very comfortable throughout my time with Sarah.  I was surprised how quickly I improved because I was initially concerned that it may take many sessions.  All of our sessions have been virtual as I don’t drive and I live some distance away. I have been pleased how accessible and easy it has been working this way. 

(Male, aged 18, September 2020, virtual sessions)

CBT for Depression

I have just had my final session of CBT. When I started I felt awful. If I am honest, I did feel a bit suicidal on occasions. I felt hopeless and I just felt I was never, ever going to be right again. I had lost my appetite and had no motivation to do anything.  

I have been committed to therapy from the start and have practiced all the techniques and strategies that we covered in the sessions. Not only have I recovered from my depression, I actually feel like a different person. I have enjoyed the therapy. I have even caught up on modern technology e.g. listening to podcasts and using a smartphone.  My family have seen a big difference in me, which is lovely to hear. Sarah is easy to talk to and I found that whatever issue I came up with, she always had a suggestion for how we could work on this.

I feel so much better. Life seems lighter and easier. I am over the moon and so grateful. I am determined to carry on with all that I have learned in the sessions with Sarah. 

(Female, aged 73, virtual sessions)

CBT and EMDR for low self-esteem and social anxiety

I was feeling overwhelmed and had lost any ability to focus both professionally, and in my personal life. I was not thinking or behaving as I normally would and was catastrophising, with an inability to focus on anything. I had been experiencing some difficult life events and felt unable to cope, which triggered feelings of low self-esteem.  I had been signed off work. 

I had arranged to meet Sarah for a in person face to face session but to due COVID-19 social distancing we decided to have sessions via Zoom. I found it was still really engaging and supportive. 

It emerged through our sessions that I had social anxiety due to a past trauma in a difficult relationship, and that my social anxiety and low self-esteem were contributing to my overall sense of stress and being overwhelmed. 

Through sessions with Sarah involving both CBT and EMDR I have found that my social anxiety has gone, and my sense of self esteem and confidence has improved dramatically. I don’t just feel like I’m back to being myself again, I feel like I am an improved version of myself, equipped with a toolkit of creative resources I can use. Learning how to control the focus of my attention has been particularly impactful in my professional life.  Releasing the past trauma through EMDR has had a positive and life-changing impact on my self-esteem.

The person I was when I first spoke to Sarah is so different to the person I am now, and the journey has been an incredibly positive one. I now find myself excited for the future and embracing new challenges. 

(Virtual sessions, female aged 41, July 2020)

CBT for OCD – fear of acting on an impulse to injure myself

My mood has gradually got better over the 4 CBT sessions with Sarah. She used a type of CBT called Metacognitive Therapy (MCT). In the past I had general counselling, although this was good at the time, it was more of a short term fix. I think CBT suits me better. I like the fact that Sarah gave me techniques and skills to work on throughout my day. I was really impressed how quickly the CBT acted upon my behaviour when I changed my attitude to my thoughts.  I no longer have the fear that I might injure myself.

It worked really well having the sessions virtually, as I didn’t have to travel and could fit it in easily with my life.

(Male, aged 20, July 2020, virtual sessions)

CBT for work related stress

In 2017/18, the Health and Safety Executive estimated that nearly 600,000 employees suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety. This figure accounted for the greatest individual number of lost working days in the UK.

At some time in your working life, you have probably felt one or more of these common symptoms:

• You feel like you have no resilience, can’t cope with work and are reacting badly to situations at work

• You’re experiencing anxiety and/or depression

• You’re taking lots of days off, or not working effectively

• You are not as productive as usual

• You’re having problems sleeping

If so, did you know that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the primary treatment for work-related stress as well as all forms of anxiety?

If you have been looking for help with your work-related stress, give me a call on 07817 223669 to discuss if we can work together using CBT.

Remote CBT sessions to treat depression - a testimonial

I went to my GP and was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. My employer provided me with 12 sessions. I had counselling when I was younger, but this didn't work so I didn’t expect CBT to work. But I was hopeful that it would. Due to COVID-19, we had all of our sessions online, which would not have been my original choice. However, it worked really well.

Working with Sarah I learned some valuable skills. After 12 sessions my depression scores have gone from severe to mild. My anxiety level is normal. I am impressed with how quickly and how well it has worked.

I felt I could trust Sarah. Although there was an age difference between us, I felt she understood me and was able to help me. I am definitely glad I gave Symmetry CBT a try.

(Male, aged 18, June 2020)

Donation to the Jack Leslie Campaign.

I am very pleased today to make a donation from my business to the Jack Leslie Campaign.

Jack Leslie was a black football player in the 1920s and early 1930s and he was the first black footballer to be selected to play for England. When the Football Association realised that he was not white, he was quietly dropped.

The campaign is raising funds to have a statue erected at Home Park where Jack spent the vast majority of his footballing career. You can read more about the campaign at https://jackleslie.co.uk and, if you were inclined to make a donation, there are links on that page that will take you to the Crowdfunder website.

Further training in Flash Technique

Last week, Sarah completed further training on the use of Flash Technique (FT) to expand on her earlier training on 3rd July.

The training was again with Dr. Justin Havens, this time ably assisted by live input from Dr Philip Manfield and Dr Lewis Engel.

FT can help children and adults of all ages. It is useful in a wide variety of presenting complaints including anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mild and severe dissociation, depression and more.

Sarah has already begun to integrate FT in her treatment of clients.

If you would like to learn more about FT, visit the website at https://flashtechnique.com/wp/

CBT for anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis - Testimonial

I came to Sarah with a number of issues with anxiety, particularly centred around news, politics and the fear of world events which could affect myself, my family and friends, and anyone I cared about. At this time - as we all know - my greatest fear was realised when COVID-19 struck.

Through the support of Sarah and therapies including Emotion Efficacy Therapy (EET) and a meditation called RAIN, I have been able to keep myself calm, rational and able to cope with the current situation. But better than that, it has helped me to see the positives in my situation and for me to know that whilst the world will never be the same again neither will my anxiety and that's a good thing!

(Female, age 26, June 2020)

Dream Completion and Flash Training

On 3rd July Sarah attended an online webinar. It was an introduction to the techniques of “Dream Completion“ and “Flash“ and how to integrate them into EMDR therapy. It was presented by Dr Justin Havens PhD. 

Dream Completion is a technique to deal with unresolved nightmares and disturbing dreams.

The Flash Technique (FT) is a recently developed therapeutic intervention for reducing the disturbance associated with traumatic or other distressing memories. Unlike many conventional trauma therapy interventions, FT is a minimally intrusive option that does not require the client to consciously engage with the traumatic memory. This allows the client to process traumatic memories without feeling distress.

Justin is a psychological therapist accredited by BACP and EMDR Europe. He has worked within the NHS, the charitable sector and in private practice, and has a special interest in treating combat trauma and veterans. He completed his PhD in 2019, which was about developing and evaluating the Dream Completion Technique at the Veterans and Families Institute (Anglia Ruskin University).

Sarah found the webinar most inspiring and Justin is an excellent presenter. She is looking forward to further training in these areas. She can imagine the benefits of helping people who are affected by bad dreams and nightmares to practice the Dream Completion technique.