Qualification and Training

My Journey

My counselling and psychotherapy training started in Glasgow where I received my COSCA counselling skills training through the Centre of Therapy. After successfully completed that, I decided to pursue further psychotherapy training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and was awarded my  Postgraduate Diploma with Merit by Abertay University in Dundee, Scotland.

Despite my great personal interest and extensive reading in psychodynamic of Freud, Carl Jung, and various other models, such as Gestalt, I chose CBT as my specialist area because it is clinically researched, evidence-based and align the pathway of NHS mental health services.  This specialism allows me deliver case formulation and treatment plans that are evidently sound, which I know my clients would benefit from. It doesn't mean having sessions with me are only about tools and assessment. Quite the contrary, the most valuable aspects of my sessions always come from the therapeutic relationship between me and my clients, how we work together to make meaningful changes, and how I help them reflect on their problems from new perspectives.​ Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Complex PTSD, Panic Attacks, Anger issues, Social Anxiety, Existential Crisis, Mid-life Crisis, and clients with ADHD and autism are my specialist areas.

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Before becoming a psychotherapist, I worked in tourism and the travel industry globally for over 30 years. With that I understand well the stress and frustrations faced by employers and employees in the corporate world. Hence, apart from individual client work, I also offer CBT workshops to companies, for example, counsellors in British Airways crew care team to provide them with additional CBT knowledge and intervention tools.

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The difference between CBT Therapist and a therapist who also applies CBT

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A CBT therapist and a therapist/counsellor who applies CBT method is not the same thing. As CBT therapists, our practice focus on finding the root causes of the issues that lead to emotional and physiological distress. CBT sessions are well structured so it won't be only talking session after session with the same content and going nowhere. A qualified CBT therapist don't just listen and support through empathy, but also provide treatment in a therapeutic way. Despite CBT therapists are trained in similar ways, their approach and ways of delivery can be very different because one of the core skills of CBT is in fact called Socratic questioning - the ability to ask questions to unfold the core issues underneath.

All qualified CBT therapists must also go through extensive and master-level training in research, counselling skills, clinical practice and ongoing supervisions. Many of these trainings align with NHS treatment pathways. Therefore, for clients who had already received NHS counselling or psychiatric medication treatment, but need further support, finding a qualified CBT therapist is a good option because we understand what a client has already gone through in their NHS sessions. We can supplement and try other approaches if necessary to reduce negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours, as well as to sustain positive changes.

Although CBT therapists are not here to make decisions for you, we can guide you to uncover your patterns and explore root causes. You will have something tangible to take home after sessions, either exercises you can practice, or thoughts you may want to reflect on. Apart from managing emotional distress or symptoms, CBT is also great in self-growth, organising complex thoughts, prioritising goals and finding the meaning of life with more clarity.

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Qualification:

Postgraduate Diploma (Master Level-11) in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Groupwork

Abertay University, Scotland and Centre of Therapy Glasgow

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​Bachelor of Social Science 

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

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Training:

• COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate

• University of Glasgow - Working with Trauma

• University of Derby - Bridging the Dementia Gap

• University of Derby - Compassionate approach for Depression

• The Gestalt Centre - Theory and Practice of Bereavement

• Various courses in Adult and Children Safeguarding, Domestic Abuse and Suicidal Prevention

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