Carol PotterBABCP Accredited CBT Therapist
Post-Graduate Diploma Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies, BSc (Hons) Comm Integrative Practice, Diploma (HE) Integral Therapeutic Counselling, Learning Disability Nurse
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) in Colchester

Carol Potter R.N.L.D, BSc (Hons), Dip Counselling, Post-Grad Dip. CBT

Providing CBT services for following... BABCP Accredited .
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Carol Potter is an experienced Integrative Therapeutic Counsellor and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT). Carol has her own private practice in Colchester, working from a delightful clinic in Rowhedge, Colchester. In addition, Carol has had over 30 years experience, working directly with people experiencing differing types of emotional problems. This includes voluntary work for a Help-Line for the depressed / suicidal and working with criminal offenders with addiction problems. Carol has extensive experience in working directly with adults and children with learning disabilities whilst working for the NHS as a Learning Disability Nurse for over 20 years. She also has advanced experience in working with young people with mental health problems, and their families. Carol also has significant Gestalt / Psycho-drama experience and has undertaken a prolonged training course in Attachment disorder. Carol has been Qualified as a CBT Therapist for over 10 years and as a Qualified Counsellor for over 15 years.

Carol also holds the following qualifications:

Initial Post Professional Award in Counselling Skills
Certificate in Integrative Counselling
Diploma HE in Integral Therapeutic Counselling
Post Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Certificate of Completion of standard training in EMDR Therapy

Carol is a BABCP fully accredited CBT Therapist and an EMDR Therapist (Member of EMDR UK) .

What is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that is based on the theory that unhelpful negative emotions and behaviours are strongly influenced by problematic cognitions (thoughts). CBT is a ‘scientific’ type of therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.

CBT cannot remove your problems, but can help you manage them in a more positive way. It encourages you to examine how your actions can affect how you think and feel. Talking and changing your behaviour can change how you think (cognitive) and what you do (behaviour). This can make you feel better about life. CBT concentrates on difficulties occurring in the present moment rather than focusing on events from the past.

“I have learnt the key to being happy, is to let go of the things that make you sad ... CBT provided me with the tools and skills to do this”
Former Client

How CBT works

CBT works by helping you make sense of overwhelming problems by breaking them down into smaller parts.

Your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, often trapping you in a negative spiral.

CBT helps you stop these negative cycles. It aims to break down factors that are making you feel bad, anxious or scared so that they are more manageable. It can show you how to change these negative patterns to improve the way you feel.

CBT Colchester - Changing negative patterns

Research has shown that CBT can be as effective as medicine in treating depression and other mental health problems. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), submitted clinical guidelines that strongly support the use of CBT as an effective psychological treatment for a depression and all the anxiety disorders. (NICE 2011).

CBT is proven to be an effective treatment of the following problems:

Depression and Suicidal Behaviours
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Panic Disorder
Phobias
Social Anxiety
Health Anxiety
Bi-polar disorder
Low self esteem
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Anger
Sleep
I also work with couples

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What happens next?

After contacting Carol, you will be offered an Initial Assessment appointment. This will be at Carol's clinic in Rowhedge, Colchester. During assessment, specific problematic areas for intervention will be jointly agreed. Following assessment, a designated number of further sessions will be agreed

Session Costs

Each session will cost £75 - £80, (there is a fee for the Assessment session). Each session will last for 1 hour. The number of sessions you will need depends on the nature of the problem, but typically this is likely to be be between 6-12 weekly sessions.

If your personal circumstances mean that you are unable to afford this, please contact me as I do offer some concessions.

Fees may vary from above, when work is undertaken for Insurance Companies (i.e. AXA, AVIVA)

Working Hours

Thursday and Friday 9am - 7pm

If you would like to speak to Carol further on how CBT can help you or to book an assessment, please call Mobile: 07867541058

I adhere to the General Data Protection Regulations (2018). I ensure all personal and sensitive client information, including case notes, printed emails, letters, reports and referral documents are not shared without your explicit consent unless I am subpoenaed by a court of law. Your information will be kept in a locked filing cabinet or alternative locked storage and retained for a minimum of seven years after closure of our work together. After this time, this information will be destroyed by double cross shredding. Any electronic records such as emails will also be electronically deleted after the seven year retention period. However, text messages will be deleted aster use or within 3 months. Under a Subject Access Request, you can request access to or copies of, your personal records which will be provided within 30 days of your written or verbal request.

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