CBT is most commonly used as a short-term support therapy normally focused on helping patients to deal with a very specific problem. During treatment, the therapist educates the patient how to identify and change destructive or disturbing thought patterns that have a negative influence on behaviour.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Basics
The underlying concept behind CBT is that a person’s thoughts and feelings play a fundamental role in their behaviour. For example, a person who spends a lot of time thinking about plane crashes, runway accidents and other air disasters may find themselves avoiding air travel.
The goal of cognitive behaviour therapy is to teach patients that whilst they cannot control every aspect of the world around them, they can take control of how they interpret and deal with things in their environment.
Cognitive behaviour therapy has become increasingly popular in recent years for people struggling with mental health issues as well as mental health professionals.
Because CBT is usually a short-term treatment option, it is often more affordable than some other therapeutic options. CBT is also empirically supported and has been shown to effectively help patients overcome a wide variety of maladaptive behaviours.
How can we help you today?
Your Specialists
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Dr Karen Surridge NNEB; BSc(Hons); PGCert; ClinPsyD; MBPsS, CPsychol
Chartered Clinical Psychologist / Doctor of Clinical Psychology
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Dr Louise Barber, BSc (hons), PhD, DClinPsy
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
When we give ourselves the time and space to listen to our hearts, without judgement, then we have our answers and we know what needs to be done. When we feel understood, then we are no longer alone and we find the power to do it. It's good to talk."
Dr Karen Surridge NNEB; BSc(Hons); PGCert; ClinPsyD; MBPsS, CPsychol
Chartered Clinical Psychologist / Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Areas of expertise
Therapy: Generalised anxiety, panic, obsessions and compulsions (OCD), phobias, depression, suicidal thoughts, reactions to trauma, hoarding issues, attachment/relationship difficulties, behavior problems, and others. Integrates ideas, approaches and techniques from different therapies tailoring the treatment to suit each individual client. (Cognitive Behavioral (CBT); Rational Emotive (REBT); Mindfulness; Psychodynamic; Narrative; Systemic; Solihull Approach; Meriden Project, Pre-Therapy work and others). Offers training at different levels: for healthcare professionals, teachers, general public, teams etc.
Education and professional training
West Kent College, Tonbridge, NNEB (Childcare and Education) University of Kent at Canterbury, BSc(Hons) Newman University College, Birmingham, PGCert (Clinical Applications of Psychology) University of Birmingham, Birmingham, ClinPsyD (Doctorate in Clinical Psychology)
Professional Qualifications, Associations & Accomplishments
UK Registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Gibraltar Registration with Gibraltar Medical Registration Board (GMRB) Member of the British Psychological Society Chartered status with the British Psychological Society Publications range from papers in academic journals and articles published by the Department Of Health (UK), to articles disseminated at conferences, and magazine articles. Research and publications have resulted in achievements such as discussion in BBC Radio 4 interview; team nomination and shortlisting for a number of service awards and named as winner of NHS Care Trust Award. Member of the Division of Clinical Psychology
Professional experience
Initial training as a Nursery Nurse prior to studying psychology. First Assistant Psychologist post in the GHA, followed by three Assistant Psychologist posts in the NHS in UK before completing the doctorate. Since 2013, Dr Surridge has worked for the GHA and the Specialist Medical Clinic, also offering her expertise upon request to various Government departments, charities, organisations and companies.
Languages spoken
Fluent English, understands Spanish
Interests
Spending time with family, Helping others, Learning
Dr Louise Barber, BSc (hons), PhD, DClinPsy
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Areas of expertise
Mood disorders (including, depression, suicidal ideation, bi-polar disorder and self harm) Anxiety disorders (including obsessive compulsive disorders, intrusive thoughts, panic disorder) Anger management Addictions Physical Health Conditions (including CFS/ME, Oncology, COPD, Renal, Dermatology) Weight Management and Bariatric Eating Disorders Gender identity Self Esteem Stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Personality Disorders Rape & sexual abuse Bereavement & loss Relationship Difficulties Clinical Supervision
Education and professional training
Sheffield Hallam University University of Wales, Bangor NHS, Open University
Professional Qualifications, Associations & Accomplishments
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) Qualified Mindfulness Practitioner Qualified Yoga Teacher NHS Leadership and Management Qualifications Advanced Clinical Supervision training Member of BPS & HCPC
Professional experience
Having initially trained as a nursery nurse in 1998 and working with children with special needs, in various schools in Yorkshire, I trained as a counsellor in 2001 and worked in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre whilst at university studying to become a clinical psychologist. After qualifying n 2004 I worked in the North Wales adult mental health services for number of years before moving to Salford Royal Hospital NHS Trust in Manchester in 2011 where I was employed to develop a psychological oncology service. As a consultant psychologist, my role extended beyond the original brief and I became responsible for leading psychological services in dermatology, oncology, CFS/ME and weight management / bariatric surgery. I specialized in individual group work combined with cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness. As a team we provided an on-call service for a range of physical health conditions for the hospitals in-patients. Over the years I have been honored to have been invited to teach on a number of post graduate psychology doctorate programs at the Universities of Sheffield, Manchester, Wrexham and Bangor (Wales). I have published several academic papers and presented at numerous academic conferences. I left the UK in 2018 to take up a position at the Ocean Views mental health facility in Gibraltar. Whilst there I set up a gender identity service. This contract ended in 2021 and since then I have been working as a consultant clinical psychologist for an NHS London Trust providing a mood and personality service via on-line consultations.
Languages spoken
English
Interests
In my spare time I love cycling, skiing, dancing, hiking, badminton, swimming and reading. I also really enjoy learning Spanish and spending as much time as I can with my 3 grandsons.
