Ruth Parchment

About Me:

I am a BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (Membership number: 161003 Find me on the official register here: http://www.cbtregisteruk.com/desktop site) Over the past 10 years, I have worked across the UK in various mental health and wellbeing settings: I have worked for Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and also privately for Cambridge CBT.

Cultural sensitivity and awareness of diversity are key within my practice; I am experienced in working with people from varied backgrounds, ages, cultures and a wide range of difficulties. I have completed further training in working with Long Term Conditions such as diabetes, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, IBS, CFS, ME and medically unexplained symptoms. I can provide personal and professional experience of diverse sexualities, lifestyles and individuals that may identify as LGBTQIA. As part of my NHS work, I have run groups for social anxiety, generalised anxiety, low mood and encouraging healthy lifestyles. I recently facilitated a CBT group for a private drug and alcohol rehab clinic based in Newmarket, Suffolk.
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I trained as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in 2012 and upon qualifying in 2013 worked in various NHS primary care settings across the UK. In 2014 I played a key role in delivering and developing a Primary Care service rehabilitating offenders in Manchester. Prior to this, I worked as a psychology assistant in a low secure forensic hospital in Liverpool and as a key worker in supported living for individuals with severe and enduring mental health difficulties. Alongside employment in mental health, I worked as an Academic Mentor for university students facing emotional and physical challenges in completing their studies. My work with the NHS has included providing supervision to Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners and facilitating skills-based groups for therapists.
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I have found it useful to integrate a therapeutic approach called Narrative Therapy into how I work. Narrative Therapy focuses on the stories that we develop and carry through our lives. As we experience events and interactions, we give meaning to those experiences and they, in turn, influence how we see ourselves and our world. We can carry multiple stories at once, which may for example, relate to our self-esteem, relationships and work. Narrative Therapy has been helpful in working with individuals who may experience marginalisation, oppression and/or experiences that do not fit within dominant cultural norms and values. Therapeutic change can include exploring stories of the self, helping individuals externalise their difficulties and co-authoring new narratives. My interests include, working with experiences of community (or lack of), not belonging, rejection and isolation. Fear, guilt, shame, invalidation and disconnection are themes that I believe are significant in emotional difficulties and distress.
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I am in regular supervision for my clinical work and have had my own therapy as part of my personal and professional development. I'm warm and approachable and work collaboratively, centring clients as experts in their lives. I help clients to reconnect with their skills, competencies, values and abilities. You will be able to take away effective tools and techniques that allow you to become your own therapist. I can provide flexibility around appointments with morning, daytime and evening options available. I provide CBT in various locations in Cambridge as well as CBT via telephone.

Areas that I work with:
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Anxiety
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Depression
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Panic Disorder
Social Anxiety
Low Self -Esteem and confidence issues
Binge Eating
Work-related difficulties
Body Dysmorphia
Perfectionism
Worry
Sleep Problems
Stress
Anxiety related difficulties
PTSD
Phobias
Trauma
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
Trichotillomania and Excoriation disorder
Long-term health conditions
Family problems and Relationship Difficulties

Young People
LGBTQIA

Polyamory and Ethnical Non-monogamy
Culturally Sensitive
Black & BME