Roz Banks

I am an experienced and fully accredited CBT therapist offering cognitive behavioural psychology services in Chorleywood, which is in easy reach of Amersham, Latimer, Chalfont St Peter, Chalfont St Giles, Little Chalfont, Rickmansworth, Sarratt, Chesham, Chenies, Beaconsfield, and Gerrards Cross. I provide CBT treatment for adolescents and adults, from age 14 upwards, who may be experiencing a range of psychological difficulties. These may include low mood/depression, antenatal or postnatal anxiety and/or depression, anxiety difficulties (including obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, panic, agoraphobia, health anxiety, social anxiety, generalised anxiety/worry, and specific phobias), low self esteem, difficulties with confidence, sleep disorders, anger, and more. As required by the BABCP, in order to maintain my registration as well as high standards of therapy, I receive regular clinical supervision. I also attend regular training and workshops in order to keep my knowledge and experience relevant and up to date.

I am a highly experienced cognitive behavioural psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience working for the NHS in the mental health field. My background is working as an Occupational Therapist specialising in mental health. I then went on to work as a clinical lead for an acute mental health occupational therapy service whilst at the same time working jointly with the psychology department in running CBT-focussed groups. Following this I worked for a community mental health team as an advanced practitioner Occupational Therapist specialising in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I then went on to obtain a Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with merit at Royal Holloway University. I have since worked in two busy primary care psychology services as a CBT therapist, one in central London and one more locally in Bucks. I have experience of providing clinical supervision to CBT practitioners, and also in leading on service development projects and activities. Qualifications: - Bachelor of Science with Honours in Occupational Therapy - Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with merit Professional Body membership: - Full accreditation with British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) - Registered as an Occupational Therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

I am able to offer assessment and treatment for adolescents from age 14 and for adults with no upper age limit experiencing a range of psychological or emotional difficulties. These include: - depression/low mood - ante-natal and postnatal anxiety and/or low mood - OCD - PTSD - generalised anxiety - panic/agoraphobia - health anxiety - social anxiety - phobias - low self esteem - sleep difficulties - anger and many other difficulties. Having been the lead practitioner within a local psychology service for developing and rolling out postnatal depression groups, I have a special interest in working with ladies and/or their partners who may be experiencing anxiety or depression during pregnancy or following the birth of their baby. Having a baby can be one of the most exciting but also one of the most stressful events to take place in a relationship. It is very easy to become so focused on the baby that you forget to look after your own needs during pregnancy or the first few months of your baby's life. Roughly 1 in 5 women experience either depression, anxiety or other psychological difficulties during this time. Sometimes these difficulties resolve by themselves and do not cause too much of a problem. Other times they can be difficult to shift and can start to impact on your experience of your new baby and parenthood. CBT can be helpful in enabling you to address the low mood, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties you may be experiencing. This would enable you to carry on with the important job you have of being a parent whilst feeling able to enjoy this special time in your life.

I use the cognitive behavioural therapy treatment model in my work. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based and effective psychological treatment. It is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (a government body that reviews research evidence and consults with experts in the field) for the treatment of anxiety and depression. It is a practical and goal-focussed therapy which sees the therapist and client working together towards agreed therapy goals. Treatment is very much focussed on what the client would like to get out of it. CBT focuses on forming a shared understanding of the main difficulty and what keeps it going. It is generally a "here and now" approach, focusing on addressing your current difficulties. It explores the link between how you think, what you feel, and what you do, and how your environment impacts on you. Highlighting these links helps to identify what thoughts and behaviours might need to be addressed in order to help you feel better. CBT is a short term and time limited psychological treatment.