Welcome to CBT in Mind with Tara

I am here to support you through your current difficulties with compassion and expertise. Together, we’ll work towards understanding and overcoming them.

Please contact me with any questions or book an appointment to schedule your initial session.

About me

Hi, I’m Tara, a BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.

I am passionate about helping people lead fulfilling lives. An important part of this is to take care of your emotional and mental well-being. Your mental health directly affects how you think, feel and act, ultimately shaping your overall quality of life.

I am here to help you understand your challenges, develop coping strategies, reduce psychological distress and promote meaningful change. This helps build emotional resilience, so that you’re better equipped for future challenges.

My Experience

Alongside my private practice, I work as a Clinical Lead for a leading mental health provider.

Previously I worked as a Specialist Psychological Therapist in a Complex Trauma Service for Veterans in the NHS. I gained specialist skills in EMDR, Narrative therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy.

I have an interest in providing supervision and training and worked as a Clinical Supervisor and lecturer at the University of Reading, Charlie Waller Institute for several years.

I have also worked in the NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service for several years.

My Professional Qualifications

Postgraduate Certificate in Metacognitive Therapy – currently studying

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (Levels 1, 2 & 3)

Postgraduate Certificate in Supervision for CYP IAPT

Postgraduate Diploma in Evidence Based Psychological Treatments

Advanced Certificate in Systemic Practice with Families & Couples

BSc Hons Psychology (2:1)

What I offer

I offer professional face-to-face and online therapy for both adults and children aged 11 and above. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, or other forms of psychological distress, I'm here to help you navigate through these challenges in a supportive and confidential space. My goal is to provide compassionate tailored support to help you or your child regain balance and well-being.

I use evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help you. Additionally, I am currently training in Metacognitive Therapy (MCT), which further enhances the therapeutic options I provide.

Sessions are available in-person in Thame or from the comfort of your home online, allowing flexibility to suit your needs.

Common difficulties I work with are:

Depression and low mood
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Social Anxiety / Phobia
Panic Disorder
Phobias
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Health Anxiety
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Stress
Childhood Abuse and Trauma
Worry & Overthinking
Workplace/School problems
Adjustment to Life events and Transitions
Low self-confidence and self esteem
Sleep problems
Coping with menopause.
School refusal

CBT

I’m an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with the BABCP.

CBT is a talking therapy that works on the premise that our thoughts, feelings and behaviours are interconnected. If we can identify and modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours, we can improve emotional regulation and psychological wellbeing.

What is CBT? (babcp.com)

Why choose CBT?

Focuses on the Present: Whilst CBT acknowledges the impact of past experiences, it primarily addresses current challenges and difficulties. This approach helps you tackle present issues more effectively.

Skills based: CBT equips you with practical strategies to develop healthier thought patterns and behaviours, empowering you to improve your well-being.

Goal-Oriented: The therapy is structured around your personal goals, allowing us to work towards these aims and monitor your progress over time.

Proven Effectiveness: CBT is supported by a robust evidence base, demonstrating its effectiveness for various mental health conditions. It is endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for treating anxiety disorders, depression, and trauma.

EMDR

I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (Level 1, 2 & 3).

EMDR is a therapeutic technique that works on helping individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences and distressing memories. It uses a process of bilateral stimulation (through eye movement or sound or tapping) and talking therapy to alleviate distress from the emotional impact of traumatic memories and improve overall psychological well-being.

The basics - EMDR UK Association (emdrassociation.org.uk)

Why choose EMDR?

Focuses on Distressing memories: EMDR involves identifying specific traumas or distressing memories that cause psychological difficulties.

Reprocessing & Desensitisation: EMDR helps the brain reprocess the memory and desensitise you to the emotional impact, so the event can be remembered without such strong feelings.

Proven Effectiveness: EMDR is supported by substantial research and has a growing evidence base. It is NICE recommended for PTSD, but can also be effective for other difficulties such as anxiety and low mood.

I highly recommend Tara and would like to share my experience with CBT treatment for my son's needle phobia. Before starting therapy, my son would become incredibly anxious and distressed at the mere mention of needles, making medical appointments a nightmare. Thanks to CBT and Tara, he has made remarkable progress in managing his fear. Tara used gentle exposure techniques, teaching coping strategies that helped him gradually confront and overcome his fear. Now, he faces needle procedures with much less anxiety, and our medical visits are no longer filled with dread. CBT truly made a positive difference in my son's life, and I'm grateful for the expertise and support we received. Money well spent.

Testimonials

My therapist Tara was amazing and was the key to making my experience so brilliant. She was caring and attentive and made an effective plan for me when I wasn’t sure myself which direction was best to go. She gave me brilliant strategies that I can now implement into my daily life and that overall have really helped me to find my old self again. I felt comfortable with her as she created such a safe environment.

Tara has been alongside me, encouraging me, educating me when I needed knowledge, and inspiring me to carry on. Although we faced blocks and avoidance, Tara never once gave up on me. One of the most valuable things that Tara and our sessions gave me is hope. She enabled me to understand myself in a totally new way and shone a light on a new, compassionate way of thinking about myself which is something I never thought I would genuinely want to do. Now I am able to look at situations in a completely new way and make sense of who I am and my past in a different narrative.

Contact Me

I provide face-to-face therapy and online appointments.

Sessions last for 50 minutes.

If you have an enquiry or would like to book a session, please call me or fill in the contact form - I will then be in touch with you shortly.

I am registered to see AxA, Aviva and Bupa clients.

Please note that I do not offer an emergency service. If you are in crisis, please see your GP, call 999 or visit your local A&E department.

The Sanderum Centre,

30A and 30B Upper High Street,

Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3EX

07446 093 239

Tara@cbtinmind.co.uk