MEET THE TEAM

LINDSAY GRANT - DIRECTOR AT 1ST FOR CBT 

I am a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with a Master’s Degree in CBT (MSc CBT), an Honours Degree in Psychology (BSc Hons), and I am an accredited member of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP).

I specialise in working with children, young people and adults with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and ADHD by adapting Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I am also qualified to diagnosis Autism using the ADI-R, RAADS and ADOS.

 I have previous experience of working within an NHS Primary Care service, and have worked for a private organisation as the lead Cognitive Behavioural Therapist in a special education school for adolescents with a diagnosis of an ASC and associated difficulties.

 I have extensive experience working within mental health in various settings, both inpatient and outpatient. I have worked in a primary care setting with the NHS, treating disorders such as Depression, Anxiety and Trauma.

 My previous experience also includes working with individuals with severe and enduring mental health problems, such as Personality Disorders and Schizophrenia for which I have provided both individual and group therapy. I have worked with children, adolescents, adults and older adults with positive outcomes, enabling these clients to have an improved quality of life. 

Alongside a CBT approach to my work, I incorporate a person-centred approach and use elements of Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and have completed my Level 3 Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) qualification. 

MARK BRADY - COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPIST 

I am a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist (Pg Dip CBT) and a member of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP). I am also a member of the British Psychological Society with a Masters of Science in applied Neuropsychology.  

I have worked with people across a broad range of emotional difficulties. I have experience helping people recover and adjust from traumatic brain injuries; those experiencing trauma, transgender issues, and stress and anxiety difficulties. My true passion is working with people with a diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition (ASC).

I have worked as a psychological therapist for the NHS in Primary and Intermediate Care Teams. I have also conducted research into adapted therapeutic interventions for ASC as the Autism lead for an NHS Primary Care Psychology Service.     

I believe that people with an ASC diagnosis have more in common with others than they have differences. We can all be anxious, confused, misunderstood and misunderstand at times, but with patience and a little direction everyone can flourish and tap into their potential to live happier more fulfilling lives.  

JANE SKELTON - COUNSELLOR

My aim, as your therapist, is to provide a supportive, non-judgemental, confidential and safe environment for you to share your story.  I believe that we all have the ability to change and that each person has the potential for growth within himself or herself. 

I work as an integrative counsellor; so whilst working together and with your choices always at the heart of the process, we may draw upon insights from a variety of counselling theories.  Together we may explore the past, the present or the future, at your pace and I will not judge you or influence your decisions.As my practice pays attention to how past experiences may be carried across to the present and I am mindful of how this may impact upon the counselling relationship.  

The aim of the work undertaken is not just to relieve pressing issues of the moment, but also to create the hope of a more optimistic future.

I have experienced specific training regarding relationships, stress, trauma, dreams, depression, understanding LGBTQ perspectives and many specific mental health issues, addiction, self-harm/injury, eating disorders, autism, disruptive attachment, bereavement, CBT for depression, PTSD, OCD, Personality disorder, mindfulness, Moving on from separation and divorce and group therapy 

RACHEAL ARMSTRONG - COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPIST

I am a qualified High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (PG Dip in CBT) with 15 years’ experience working within the NHS in adult & child mental health.  A registered and fully accredited member of the British Association of Behavioural & Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapies and have a BSc (hons) Psychology degree. 

 I have experience working with the anxiety disorders, depression and managing long-term health conditions from a psychological perspective. 

I have a special interest in perinatal mental health with published research in this area.  I am an experienced group facilitator in subjects such as mindfulness, compassionate mind, low self-esteem and so forth. 

I also have knowledge of Solution Focus and Motivational Analysis interventions.  Problems treated are: 

·      Anxiety Disorders

·      Depression

·      Perinatal Mental Health

·      Low Self Esteem

·      Compassionate Mind

·      Mindfulness

·      Perfectionism

·      Healthy Eating Habits

·      Long-Term Health Conditions – Type 2 Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain

·      Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

·      Anger Management

·      Emotional Regulation

JEZ HARGREAVES - MUSIC THERAPIST

I have been involved with music from a young age and developed an interest in the psychological benefits of music whilst studying psychology with music as an undergraduate. 

I chose to study music therapy after seeing the transformative effect music can have with an autistic family member and will reach my accreditation as a music therapist in November 2019. 

I have experience working with children with special educational needs, adults with brain injury, youth offending in Wiltshire and adults with learning disabilities.

I approach my work from a humanistic perspective and use tools such as therapeutic songwriting, musical games and improvisation to help clients feel heard and supported.