Dean Watkins
CBT, ACT, CFT Therapist
I'm a psychotherapist based in Rainham, offering both face to face and online therapy sessions for people struggling with problems such as Impostor Syndrome, Self-Doubt, Low Self-Esteem, Low Confidence, Perfectionism, Worry and Anxiety.
EDUCATION
British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies - BABCP Accredited Therapist
PG Diploma in Compassion Focused Therapy - Compassionate Mind Foundation
BSc Hons in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy - University of Derby
PG Diploma in Cognitive Therapy for Severe Mental Health Problems - University of Southampton
PG Diploma in Cognitive Approaches to Counselling & Psychotherapy - Goldsmiths, University of London
Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing (Mental Health) - University of Plymouth
BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE
I qualified as a Mental Health Nurse in 1998 and worked in a variety of settings including working on an adult acute ward in Greenwich, and at a Crisis/Home Treatment Team. These roles gave me an awareness of the impact that mental health problems can have and the need for effective treatment.
I started training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) in 2002 at Goldsmiths, University of London, and then at the University of Southampton in 2004/5. I became Accredited by the British Association for Behaviour & Cognitive Psychotherapist (BABCP) in 2006. This is the lead organisation for CBT in the UK.
Over the past 18 years I have worked as a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, working with people struggling with a variety of problems including anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, low self-esteem and stress. During this time I have developed a strong interest in brief therapy, looking to apply cognitive and behavioural methods that help to bring about desired change and reduced suffering as efficiently as possible. Through the years I have realised how important it is to help people have a clear understanding of their problems and what is maintaining them, in order to help overcome the problems.
In addition to my training in CBT I have also undertaken extensive training in both Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), two approaches which have added a lot to my understanding of psychological suffering and how to work towards alleviating this.