Laura is a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist who is experienced in working with adults, children, young people and their families with a variety of difficulties; social anxiety, panic, phobias, generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, health anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, depression and drug use where anxiety or depression is present.
In 2003 Laura began working in harm reduction drug services. She then went on to work for the NHS in community drug treatment services where she worked with adults who used drugs or alcohol and also had anxiety and or depression. Following on from this Laura went on to work in Child and adolescent mental health services in the NHS where her role is primarily delivering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for the above difficulties as well as working in a specialist child and adolescent eating disorder service. Laura also works privately here in the practice.
Laura has always pursued study alongside her employment to keep up to date with developments in the field in order to be evidence based in her practice and to strive to provide children, young people and adults with the best possible service.
Laura is registered with the BABCP and the HCPC and her qualifications and training are as follows;
BSc (Hons) in applied psychology (Leeds Metropolitan University, 2001-2004)
MA Social work (placements in therapeutic social work) (The University of York, 2004-2006)
Graduate diploma in psychology (focusing on social & developmental psychology) (The Open University, 2005-2007)
Short term Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (cbt) Course (80 credits University of York, 2008-2010)
Post graduate diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for advanced clinical practice post graduate diploma (The University of York, 2011-2013)
Leading to MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for advanced clinical practice (The University of York, 2013-2014)
Postgraduate certificate in clinical supervision for Cyp-IAPT Programmes (CBT arm) (Northumbria University 2014-2015)
Laura has received additional training through continuing professional development courses in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (a type of CBT). She has recently completed research into acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic pain. Laura works using CBT and ACT to help improve the functioning and quality of life for those who have chronic pain conditions.
In addition Laura is an accredited parent group leader for the ‘Incredible Years parenting programme’. This is an evidence based program. The aim is to work with parents to treat children’s behavioural difficulties and to promote children’s social and emotional well-being .
Laura also provides CBT supervision to other CBT therapists.