Tracy Avis

About me

I am an experienced and accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and have been working in mental health services (NHS and private practice) for over 20 years.   If you are struggling with emotional, behavioural or relationship difficulties, I am able to offer you compassionate and collaborative treatment to help you resolve problems and increase your sense of wellbeing.  There are many different ways to address psychological issues, and I will work with you to find the approach, or combination of approaches, that suits you.

I encourage your active involvement at every stage of treatment, and I will provide a safe and supportive environment within which you can take on both the challenges and rewards of therapy.

As no two people are the same, I will work with you to develop an approach to treatment that is tailored to your needs and concerns.  I am trained to use a variety of models and approaches, and we will talk about which way of working is most likely to help and suit you best.  One of the most important components of therapy, regardless of theoretical basis and specific techniques, is a safe relationship with a therapist by whom you feel heard and understood.

What can I help with?

• Depression and low mood
• Anxiety, worry and stress
• Pre- and postnatal depression and anxiety
• Menopause and perimenapause anxiety and depression
• Trauma related to early experiences
• Post-traumatic stress
• Grief, loss and bereavement
• Emotional regulation problems
• Panic
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Adjustment difficulties and challenging life transitions
• Social anxiety
• Low self esteem and self-confidence
• Relationship problems

Who do I work with?

My work is with adults (18 years and up).  If you are - or are looking on behalf of - a young adult under the age of 18, I work with a number of child and adolescent therapists who I would be able to recommend.

How do I work?

My academic background is in Applied Psychology and psychological research.  I also trained as an Occupational Therapist in mental health within the NHS and completed Post Graduate training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).   I am a fully accredited member of British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP).  CBT is my primary therapeutic model - it has a robust evidence base, is very accessible, intuitive and practical type of psychological therapy.  In addition to CBT I have completed further training in Schema Therapy (ST) a cognitive approach that evolved from CBT.  To ensure that I am up to date I continue to complete professional training which include Compassion and Emotion Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Body focused Therapy.   All of the above have enabled me to use a range of approaches that I will work with flexibly and responsibly, drawing on different models according to your needs and preferences.

All of these theories and techniques are only effective in the context of a strong therapeutic partnership.

In order to maintain the highest quality and standards, I undertake regular clinical supervision, continuing professional development and training.  I adhere to the professional codes of ethic and conduct set out by the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists and Health and Care Professions Council.  I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and my practice is fully compliant with GDPR legislation.

What to expect

Most people refer themselves but I am very happy to accept referrals from GPs and other healthcare professionals.

The first appointment is primarily an information-gathering session.  I will ask you about what has brought you to see me, how you make sense of it, and what you might wish to change.  We will talk about how therapy could be able to help, and whether it feels like the right time for you to be embarking on this process.  This first meeting is also an opportunity for you to begin to get to know me and to get a sense of what it might be like to be in therapy.  There is no obligation to commit to any further sessions at this stage.

Therapy works best when there is a commitment to attending regular sessions.  If you decide you would like to go ahead with treatment, we will talk about how often it makes sense to meet.  We will review regularly to check that you are finding therapy helpful.

The clinical space

As you can see from the location page, our head office is in Wallingford.  There are 4 clinical rooms in this building and you are likely to see myself or Kasia on the first floor in either room 1 or 2. Both rooms are comfortable, calm and quiet and provide a peaceful atmosphere for the work of therapy.  There is a separate waiting area in the building.

Other services

Supervision for therapists in training

As well as my own supervision, I provide supervision to those undertaking various levels of training in CBT from certificate to Phd level.   I offer clinical supervision in my private practice as well as working as an Associate at the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre training course as a teaching supervisor.

Placement and work experience for therapists in further training

Currently I am supervising and working with Kasia Jablonska who is studying for her Masters in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.   Kasia works alongside me at Ptolemy House as well as providing virtual therapy.  Should you be interested in working with Kasia, I will briefly assess and refer you to Kasia, providing ongoing supervision of her caseload.  Please see Kasia’s profile for further information regarding her approach and previous experience.

Associates

I am currently working with a colleague, Claire Vickers, who is based in Oxford offering therapy at her clinic or virtual sessions.  I am delighted to be able to refer clients to Claire.  Claire has worked with me in a supervisory relationship for over 2 years and recently graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London with a distinction in her Masters qualification in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Please see Claire’s profile for further information regarding her therapeutic approach and previous experience.

How to make an appointment with me and my associates.

Email               This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Web                 You can use the form on the Contact page of the website

Phone              07792524591 (usually an answerphone where you can leave a message for me to call you back)

Following receipt of your message, I will try to respond to your enquiry within 2 working days and either contact you by email or phone (for more information if this is needed).  If you are seeing me I will send some possible dates for a first meeting or if you are seeing either Kasia or Claire, they will contact you directly to arrange the same. Prior to your appointment, I will send you an email confirmation of the appointment with an attached copy of the client agreement, a registration form, and some brief questionnaires for you to complete and bring with you to the first session.

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