Evidence-Led CBT Informed by Schema Therapy
Information about mental health is abundant; genuine clinical clarity is not. Online searches for psychological help often lead you to inspirational quotes, intuitive advice, or therapists whose language sounds reassuring yet stays vague about how they plan to help. My approach starts precisely where vague reassurance ends: clinical psychology grounded in research, diagnostic accuracy, and professional depth.
For anyone who values structure and scientific precision in therapy—without sacrificing the human bond that makes change possible—this practice offers both. Scientific structure does not replace connection; it guides and deepens it, so empathy remains focused and effective rather than adrift. We balance a clear understanding of lifelong developmental patterns with targeted change of current symptoms and difficulties in the here-and-now.
“Exploring developmental origins alone rarely produces meaningful change;
addressing symptoms without recognising their deeper roots seldom yields lasting results.”
From Formulation to Intervention
The foundation of our work is a detailed, collaborative clinical formulation—built carefully session by session and revisited as new information emerges. We begin by tracing the roots of your difficulties, weaving together early experiences, parenting styles, social relationships, and individual temperament, all interpreted through theory-based developmental models. We then ask why previous attempts to change fell short and pinpoint the specific cognitive, emotional, or behavioural patterns that sustain the problem, drawing on validated measures when useful. This formulation becomes a sharp lens that clarifies complexity instead of obscuring it behind comforting generalities.
From this clarity, we move directly into intervention: each technique is chosen to act on the mechanisms the formulation has revealed. For example:
- Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) to interrupt obsessive–compulsive cycles in OCD.
- Interoceptive exposure to diffuse the catastrophic misinterpretations that drive panic disorder and agoraphobia.
- Imagery rescripting and chair-work to reshape the emotional intensity of painful memories and rigid core beliefs.
Why this matters to you
A precise formulation means we work purposefully rather than randomly. Rather than circling vaguely around your difficulties—whether anxiety, depression, relationship strain, or low self-esteem—we target the mechanisms that keep them alive and measurable. Scientific structure and genuine relationship work together: the formulation tells us where to aim, the interventions provide the tools, and the therapeutic alliance supplies the safety and motivation for change. Evidence-led CBT consistently shows meaningful symptom reduction and functional gains; in practice, clients typically notice improved daily coping and mood within the first few months, with progress consolidating across the first year as methods and insight take root.
Scope of practice
My clinical expertise addresses both everyday challenges—stress, uncertainty, decision-making difficulties, procrastination—and complex psychopathology, including:
- Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Health anxiety (Hypochondriasis)
- Panic disorder and agoraphobia
- Depression and related mood difficulties
The same evidence-based framework scales smoothly: from untangling procrastination loops to dismantling compulsive rituals.
Social proof/How scientific background translates into clinical practice
As an active academic researcher, supervisor and author of peer-reviewed papers on schema-informed therapy, I bring the latest findings straight into session.
What clients say they gain
Clarity – a coherent explanation of what is happening and why.
Structure – a transparent, adaptable plan that links each session to the next and the overall long-term goal.
Portable skills – practical tools and sharpened self-reflection that remain useful long after therapy ends.