


ABOUT

Asni Cook
MA (Hons) Oxon PGDip
Experience:
My journey as a psychotherapist began in 2008 when I took a junior role in a new mental health service within the NHS. Over my time in this role I was actively involved in the development of the service and went on to lead and supervise a team of practitioners. I later went on to gain a trainee CBT therapist position and qualified in 2014, going on to achieve full BABCP accreditation in 2016. During my career I have worked with hundreds of clients within both the NHS and private sector. In 2021 I made the decision to leave my role in the NHS and have since worked in private practice. As part of my practice I continue to provide therapy to NHS clients through partner organisations.
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In the past few years I have engaged in extensive additional training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This form of therapy focuses on developing psychological flexibility; in other words developing the ability to respond to our difficult thoughts and feelings in a more workable way rather than following habitual patterns that move us away from the person we want to be and the life we want to live. The aim in ACT is to create a more fulfilling life, one more aligned with our own personal value system and goals.
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I have a specialist interest in working with eating and body image related issues and have developed additional expertise and knowledge in this area. Sadly these types of difficulties are rife in the often so appearance and weight focused world we live in. I am passionate about supporting others to find peace in this area of their lives. I have trained in CBT-E and am also a qualified Intuitive Eating Counsellor. I find that my experience of working with a wide range of presentations and being trained in a number of modalities helps me to create a bespoke treatment plan for each client that is responsive to their particular eating and body image difficulties.
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During my CBT training I was lucky to be trained and supervised by a specialist in trauma. This has been a continued area of interest for me and I am continually extending my knowledge through attending trainings and reading. Most recently I have completed EMDR training to increase my skills working with traumatic experiences and have had some good results using this form of therapy.
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I live in Suffolk with my family and our many pets. I enjoy walking in nature, yoga and spending time with friends. I apply all that I talk about with clients to myself; I am a human too and the human mind is difficult to manage at times! I have engaged in my own therapy and continue to do so as and when needed. I think it is important that as a therapist we have been in the seat of the client and can empathise with the bravery this takes.
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Training & Qualifications:
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Core qualifications
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PGDip Cognitive Behaviour Therapy - University of East Anglia
MA (Hons) Medical Sciences - Brasenose College, Oxford University
Additional professional trainings
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CBT-E - Trained by CREDO (Centre for Research on Eating Disorders at Oxford) - Oxford University
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Intuitive Eating - Trained and supervised by Evelyn Tribole (co-founder of Intuitive Eating)
EMDR Training - Trained by Dr Michael Paterson of EMDR Masterclass
Evidence Based High Intensity CBT for Long Term Health Conditions - University of East Anglia
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ACT for working with Trauma - Russ Harris
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ACT for working with Anxiety and Depression - Russ Harris
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I attend regular trainings and workshops as part of ongoing CPD and also attend monthly clinical supervision. These are requirements to maintain accreditation with the BABCP.