About me

Ben Mead Psychologist GuildfordI have worked in mental health and been practicing CBT since 2005, helping both adults and children suffering from depression, anxiety, and symptoms of trauma. I have experience in a variety of therapies, but I chose to specialise in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and EMDR. This is due to the high level of research that have shown them to be effective both during and also after therapy has ended.

I started working at Shere Surgery in 2010, and feel very fortunate to be based in a location that not only benefits from a lovely collection of GPs, but is also the ideal therapeutic setting with the sounds of trees, birds and the River Tillingbourne audiable from the therapy room. Outside of Shere and online consultations, I supervise other therapists in the Guildford area, provide teaching for the Southampton Clinical Psychology doctorate course and am a Specialist Clinical Psychologist in the NHS in Portsmouth – offering support to those who have suffered a head injury or stroke. I very much enjoy the mix that my work at Shere and Portsmouth offer me – if only they could be geographically closer together!

Away from work, I’m a keen tennis player, golfer and often watch my hometown club – Southampton. Unfortunately, being keen does not always guarantee success – to which my backhand is a regrettable testament!

What is a ‘Clinical Psychologist’?

‘Chartered Clinical Psychologist’ is a title protected by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist requires doctoral-level training and competence in a variety of therapeutic techniques such as CBT, Mindfulness, and standard counselling. This enables a Clinical Psychologist to be more flexible in their approach and, although they may choose to work predominantly within particular frameworks (e.g, CBT) other techniques can be utilised if necessary. For example, Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy both complement CBT particularly well. Furthermore, the work of a Clinical Psychologist has been regularly observed and assessed to ensure that they consistently practise to a doctoral standard. It is worth noting that you do not need any qualifications to call yourself a ‘Counsellor’ or ‘Psychotherapist’. I only use the Counsellor term on my home page to help ensure visitors are aware that I also offer standard counselling.

What is a ‘BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist’?

‘BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist’ is a title protected by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).

Training as a Clinical Psychologist often does not, alone, fulfil the strict accreditation requirements of the leading CBT regulators, the BABCP. To achieve accreditation with the BABCP, a practitioner is required to complete a BABCP-approved postgraduate diploma course which involves both practical and written coursework. It is not mandatory for Clinical Psychologists to complete this course in order to practise CBT, but I hope that training to this level enhances my work as a Clinical Psychologist and ensures that when I treat clients using CBT it is to the highest professional standard.

Qualifications

Details of my relevant qualifications are listed below:

  • British Psychological Society (BPS) Associate Fellow and Chartered Clinical Psychologist (AFBPsS, CPsychol)
 – Number: 193491
  • Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered Clinical Psychologist
 – Number: PYL26204
  • British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) Accredited Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapist – Number: 110510
  • BPS Accredited Clinical Doctorate Clinical Psychology – University of Surrey Guildford (UK) (2010)
  • PGDip Psychological Interventions – CBT – Pass with Distinction – University of Surrey Guildford (UK) (2011)
  • EMDR Practitioner Training – ALL Parts (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced) – Approved by EMDR Europe Association and EMDR International Association
  • Dip Clinical Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy – Clifton Practice, Bristol.
  • First Class BSc (Hons) Psychology – University of Bristol (UK)

I have also completed a large number of various training courses in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, Relationship issues and Attachment to name just four.

Finally, I abide by the Code of Ethics and Conduct of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Standards of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).

Any questions, please feel free to ask.

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