Meet Tom Coates, an accomplished CBT Therapist with a wealth of experience and a strong foundation in the field of mental health. Tom has dedicated the past decade to serving within the NHS, utilising his impressive skills to assist clients on their mental health journeys.

Tom’s approach is characterised by his innate curiosity and reflective nature, which enables him to foster deep connections with his clients. This connection paves the way for client growth, development, and change, as individuals feel supported to share their emotions and challenges in a safe environment.

Passion for Mental Health
Tom’s fascination with mental health traces back to his early years, propelling him to delve into the subject during his school days and throughout his sixth form education. His dedication led him to achieve a First-Class degree from the University of Chester, followed by a Masters degree in Psychological Research from the University of Sheffield.

Rich Experience
Tom embarked on his professional journey by contributing to a specialised eating disorders service, catering to individuals grappling with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder. Subsequently, he became an integral part of a thriving primary care mental health service in Buckinghamshire. During his tenure, he acquired a Post Graduate certificate and later a Post Graduate diploma in Evidence-Based Interventions, solidifying his status as a proficient CBT Therapist. His expertise extended to aiding individuals dealing with a spectrum of emotional health disorders, including Depression, Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Social Phobia, and Low Self Esteem. Whilst being able to successfully treat a range of conditions in his role, Tom takes a specialist interest in working with individuals struggling with OCD.

Elevating Expertise
Tom’s dedication to the field of mental health and CBT drew him to the Charlie Waller Institute at the University of Reading. Here, he embraced the role of a Lecturer in January 2023, where he empowers aspiring CBT Therapists on their transformative journey toward becoming adept and certified practitioners. In this capacity, he remains abreast of cutting-edge evidence-based interventions and guidelines.

Nurturing Specialisations
Tom’s skillset developed further whilst leading a specialised lifestyle change project in the NHS, which focused on supporting individuals on their journey towards weight loss and Bariatric surgery. Through this work, Tom gained experience of utilising Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques to support individuals to move towards a healthier lifestyle. This venture exemplifies Tom’s commitment to innovation and versatility in his therapeutic approaches.

Holistic Skill Set
As a fully accredited CBT Therapist, Tom places paramount importance on delivering top-tier therapy. Alongside his clinical work, Tom is also a highly skilled clinical supervisor who provides supervision to both seasoned and budding Cognitive Behavioural Therapists.

Commitment to Growth
Tom’s pursuit of professional growth is evident through his consistent attendance at training workshops and his proactive engagement with his clinical supervisor.

Qualifications
– BSc (Hons) Psychology (First Class), University of Chester
– MSc Psychological Research with Merit, University of Sheffield
– PGCert Evidence Based Psychological Treatments, University of Reading
– PGDip Evidence Based Psychological Treatments with Distinction, University of Reading