I'm Leslie Hayes, an accredited and experienced CBT and ACT therapist, as well as a supervisor and trainer. I have maintained a private practice in the UK since 1987, alongside teaching and providing training in CBT since 2000.
EDUCATION & CBT/ACT TRAINING
I have a BA in Psychology and a Masters degree in CBT (1982, USA). In recent years, I delivered training for the NHS IAPT initiative in Bristol, designed to provide and facilitate access to CBT therapy within the health service. This requires a sound knowledge base of multiple, evidence-based CBT approaches to the common problems of depression/low mood and anxiety of all descriptions. Delivering IAPT training and supervision presented a rewarding opportunity for me to up-date and significantly expand my CBT knowledge, with training provided by prominent CBT practitioners/researchers in the UK.
In 2008, I also began to pursue an interest in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), an inspiring and effective '3rd wave' CBT approach (see 'About CBT and ACT'). Having benefit of numerous trainings with internationally known writers/practitioners, I have integrated ACT with more traditional CBT within my practice.
I have a BA in Psychology and a Masters degree in CBT (1982, USA). In recent years, I delivered training for the NHS IAPT initiative in Bristol, designed to provide and facilitate access to CBT therapy within the health service. This requires a sound knowledge base of multiple, evidence-based CBT approaches to the common problems of depression/low mood and anxiety of all descriptions. Delivering IAPT training and supervision presented a rewarding opportunity for me to up-date and significantly expand my CBT knowledge, with training provided by prominent CBT practitioners/researchers in the UK.
In 2008, I also began to pursue an interest in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), an inspiring and effective '3rd wave' CBT approach (see 'About CBT and ACT'). Having benefit of numerous trainings with internationally known writers/practitioners, I have integrated ACT with more traditional CBT within my practice.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP & ACCREDITATION
I am fully accredited with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. BABCP is the lead professional organisation in the UK for Cognitive and Behavioural therapists and it is the only UK organisation which confers accreditation in CBT - a process which requires a substantial amount of CBT-specific training and supervision, and a breadth of CBT knowledge and experience, alongside 'generic' knowledge of counselling and mental health. In addition, BABCP requires on-going CBT-specific professional training of its accredited members.
This matters because, as CBT is currently attracting much interest, there are many counsellors and therapists, including 'accredited counsellors', who will offer CBT on the strength of relatively little formal CBT training. Typically, you will find this is part of a mixed bag of approaches ('integrative' counselling), making it difficult to determine how much CBT can and will actually be provided. It is also unlikely to include the more specialised CBT interventions that have been developed for particular types of problems. Whilst I have had valuable training and experience in other models of therapy, I have chosen to develop my expertise in CBT .
I am also a member of the Association for Conterxtual Behavioural Science, which supports ACT development and dissemination.
The passion I bring to my work with CBT /ACT continues to grow, as I gain an ever-deepening appreciation for the impact it can make on the quality of life....
I am also a member of the Association for Conterxtual Behavioural Science, which supports ACT development and dissemination.
The passion I bring to my work with CBT /ACT continues to grow, as I gain an ever-deepening appreciation for the impact it can make on the quality of life....