Cognitive Behaviour

Therapist

I am a fully qualified and accredited cognitive behaviour therapist and have worked with people with mental health difficulties within the NHS for the last 20 years in a variety of roles and settings. I trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in 2009 and have been practicing as a therapist within a range of roles since.

ABOUT ME

As a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist I have experience of working with people suffering from a variety of mental health difficulties including depression, anxiety, panic, low self-esteem and confidence, social anxiety, health anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

I am skilled and experienced in working with adults, teenagers and younger children, and I can deliver therapy on a one to one basis or with partners and family members based on the person’s needs.

On occasions when it is clinically appropriate, and the persons available time to meet their therapy goals is very pressured, I can consider providing short intensive courses of therapy.

Having worked in a mental health neurodevelopmental team I have particular specialist skills in working with people with additional needs such as autism, ADHD, learning difficulties and downs syndrome. On occasions young people present with challenging behaviour or distress but are unable to engage in therapy. I am skilled in thoroughly observing and assessing these young people’s behaviours and in turn developing positive behaviour support plans to help parents and teachers support these children in becoming less distressed.

I additionally have specialist skills in working with people effected by trauma and post traumatic stress, having delivered trauma therapy to 999 service personnel, military personnel and working in a specialist trauma service for those effected by homicide.

My range of professional experiences are really important in helping me to help others. However, I truly believe it is my lived experience of having experienced my own mental health challenges, and being a mother to two children with additional needs, that really makes me the therapist I am today.

Although it did not feel like it at the time, I consider myself fortunate enough to have suffered from my own mental health difficulties, and to have received cognitive behaviour therapy which helped me to recover.

I believe this really helps me to understand what it is like to be sat in the other chair receiving CBT, and also how lost and helpless you can feel when you are struggling with your mental health.

When I was suffering with my mental health and was looking for a therapist myself, trawling through the internet, the most important thing that I was looking for was the reviews that the therapist had received from their clients.

I believe these are so important, and I am incredibly grateful to some of my clients for providing me with reviews in order to put others minds at ease about who they will meet if they come for therapy with me.

Please take a look at the reviews I have received in order to help you decide if I am the right therapist for you.

TESTIMONIALS

I first met Vicky when I was struggling with anxiety and depression whilst at University, and will forever be thankful that I found her. I had tried a couple of different therapists and counsellors before but never really clicked with anyone as well as I did with Vicky. Having suffered from mental health difficulties herself, she is extremely empathic and I always felt that she really knew what it was like to be sat on the other side of the table! This helped me to feel comfortable and to open up to her. Together we worked on my depression and social anxiety and the low self esteem underlying them, using a very personalised approach with elements of CBT and mindfulness. Her down to Earth attitude and fantastic sense of humour made our sessions fun – not something I ever expected from the therapy room! Before my sessions with Vicky I was struggling to function, experiencing frequent panic attacks and very low self confidence. I now feel much more confident in myself and my capabilities, no longer experience panic attacks (although if I did experience one I would know how to deal with it!), and since receiving therapy I have studied abroad, finished my degree and travelled across a continent – all whilst managing my mental health using the knowledge I gained during my time with Vicky’.

Miss BW

‘At one point I was very worried about my adult son, who has a learning difficulty and was suffering from all sorts of anxieties and fears. We started going to see Vicky and gradually over the next few months he developed much greater awareness of his own potential as well as learning how to combat the anxiety. This really boosted his confidence’.

Mrs SR

‘The value of Vicky’s support, through a very difficult period in my life – caused by money worries, legal and family issues – was huge. Her calm methodical and knowledgeable approach to determining the underlying causes of my extreme distress and then helping me to regain perspective were, without doubt, the difference between me being able to function and feel more in control of my life again or succumbing to depression. Vicky helped me, through a structured approach, to develop mindfulness based coping strategies which I practice regularly and depend upon at times of stress’.

Mr DM

‘Our daughter at a young age suddenly developed an overwhelming fear of dogs, however large or small, cuddly or cute. Vicky helped her through those fears by talking to her gently and understanding her. Vicky was not only wonderful with our daughter, but also with us, she helped guide us through her very difficult and sometimes debilitating fears. We used lots of age specific guidance from Vicky to help in-between sessions. We couldn’t be more grateful, with her professional but warm and friendly help, our daughter no longer has to think about being around dogs, in fact, she now loves them! Thank you so much!’

Mrs HS

‘ I am a much happier person thanks to Vicky’s professional, dedicated and friendly approach. Vicky quickly identified key areas to work on (despite me not being very talkative) and explained ideas clearly. She taught me to take a step back and gave me effective tools to re-evaluate my negative
thoughts’.

Anon

‘When I first met Vicky I couldn’t complete basic daily tasks without extreme anxiety, for example touching a door handle. In the first session she diagnosed me with OCD. Using her no nonsense approach, within a few sessions she gave me tool sets and coping mechanisms which have totally changed my life. She has not only enabled me to deal with and manage my OCD, but to actually enjoy and be able to live my life again , which I thought would not be possible!’‘

Mr N

“My son was finding school very stressful and difficult this year, frequently finding groupwork, the dining hall and carpet time overwhelming and having to work at separate tables and often running out of the room when the class became too noisy or he felt unable to compete tasks. He was able to talk through how he felt with Vicky and she helped him to understand why he was reacting the way he was, and then gave him a range of age appropriate strategies to help. Since starting therapy he has been much more settled at school, and has been finding it much easier to cope with the stress of a busy and noisy classroom.”

Mrs N

‘I would highly recommend Victoria as a therapist. Victoria helped me get through one of the lowest points of my life and I can’t explain how grateful I am for all the help and guidance she gave me. Everything I told her (in which I was scared to tell anyone) she took and advised without judgement. I always came out of each appointment feeling a little bit brighter and I was at a point I never thought I would. I don’t think I would be where I am today without her help and support. I have seen many therapists in my life, but Victoria was the one who really helped me change my thinking. If you are ever thinking about seeing someone for what ever reason, I would urge you to make the step. Victoria is not just a therapist who says ‘ so how does that make you feel?’ she is a normal, loving person and is very special!’

Miss K

“I usually did fight when I was cross but now I keep out of the way of getting in trouble’

Master N

‘My name is Harry, a former fire officer for over 30 years. There was 3 incidents in quick succession that triggered my Post traumatic stress disorder, with a mobilisation to the scene of 2 fatal road traffic collisions and a young lad dying in the river which seemed to have been the straw that broke the camels back. I began to have intrusive memories, nightmares and the recurrence of unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic events. I found  myself reliving the traumas as if they were happening again (Flashbacks) Severe emotional distress and physical reactions to something that reminded me of the traumatic event. I experienced negative changes in thinking and mood. I became a totally different person, and was drinking too much and I just didn’t know why. I thought that I was literally going mad. I needed help, and just didn’t know what was happening to me. To be honest, I could say a lot more about my symptoms but I think the important part for me to stress to anyone reading this is to explain the help I received from Vicky. I had a number of home sessions and was very anxious at first, but in no time I felt relaxed and was able to open up, which was difficult, but she done it in such a way that I was able to do so, which I wasn’t able to do with anyone before. She spoke to me in a calm relaxed manner and if she noticed things where getting too much, there would be a timely break. She was to give me coping mechanisms to help me through my sessions…. What I did like was she was honest with me and said this may not be easy, but also had that kind reassurance which put me at ease through the difficulties I had.
She is an utmost professional and I can put my hand on my heart and say I wouldn’t have fully recovered without her help. I went back to work fully fit and was able to perform full operational duties and was back to the old Harry. What I did find useful was the follow up sessions after my therapy had finished, just making sure everything was going well. Now I am happy enjoying my retirement. Thanks Vicky, I couldn’t have done it without your help and support.’

The Old Harry

‘From the first session with Vicky I felt I had a genuine and trusted place to get support through a difficult time. Vicky was a friendly face who brought logic to my problems and helped me get back on track. I would thoroughly recommend her for CBT and for her kind and gentle manner. She also has a great sense of humour!’

Miss P

‘We have Vicky to thank for beginning our child’s road to recovery. She offered my daughter and our family hope at a time when we had little. Her support was priceless’.

Mrs E

FEES

Sessions are charged at £95, and sessions are usually 50 minutes long unless prior arranged and an appropriate fee agreed. Sessions are usually weekly unless clinically appropriate. Report writing if required is charged at £50 per hour. I am able to respond to enquiries regarding therapy sessions via email and do not charge for this time.

I work with individuals who are self-funded and with various insurance providers.

 

£95 

ONLINE SESSIONS

LOCATIONS

I currently run a clinic in Trumpington, South Cambridgeshire and in Oundle, Northamptonshire.  Both locations have ample free off road parking and are well serviced by public transport.

WHAT IS CBT?

Cognitive behaviour Therapy is an evidence based psychotherapeutic approach. It is proven to be effective in the treatment of a wide range of mental health difficulties and emotional problems.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is commonly known as CBT. It is a focused form of therapy where the therapist and client work together to help the client to become aware of their behaviours and patterns of thinking, and how these may be maintaining their difficulties. It aims to help clients find ways of developing alternative ways of thinking and behaving in order for them to bring about an improvement in their mental wellbeing that is long lasting . Cognitive behaviour therapy aims to help the client become their own therapist.

CBT is a model of talking therapy that is recommended as the treatment of choice by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence for most common mental health difficulties. Some of the difficulties which CBT has been evidenced to help with and has been recommended for include:

  • Depression
  • Low mood
  • Specific Phobias
  • Anxiety
  • Panic
  • Agoraphobia
  • Obsessive Compulsive disorder
  • Generalised anxiety
  • Health Anxiety
  • Trauma and Post traumatic stress

I am experienced in using CBT with people with a variety of different mental health difficulties including depression, OCD, Post traumatic stress, social anxiety, generalised anxiety, health anxiety, perfectionism, low self esteem, worrying, stress, panic, agoraphobia and specific phobias.

CRISIS ADVICE

Unfortunately I do not offer a crisis service but there are lots of people available to you right now who can help. Please know that It is ok to ask for help.

Try calling a friend or family member and telling them how you feel.

 

If you feel unable to keep yourself safe right now, please call 999 or go to your local Accident and Emergency Department

NHS

Call 111
(Select option 2)

Samaritans

116 123 (Freephone)
jo@samaritans.org
24 Hours a day, 365 days a year

Mind Info

0300 123 3393
Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

NSPCC

0808 800 5000

Childline

0800 11 11

24/7 Crisis Service

Text “SHOUT” to 85258

GET IN TOUCH
Say Hello!

If you would like to speak with me about whether CBT would be helpful for you, or you would like to enquire about booking in a session with me, please complete the following form.

If you would prefer to talk to me in person, please complete the form and we can arrange a convenient time for me to contact you.

If you have any difficulties completing this form, you can email me at:
hello@vickycatt.com

I aim to reply to enquiries within 48 hours