Alison Pickard Palmer
BABPC accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist & EMDR therapist
I am a therapist and athlete. I believe that by using evidence based techniques of CBT you can increase your performance in your sport or address those motivation issues that get in the way of becoming active. CBT is about challenging your thoughts and behaviours to change how you feel, this ultimately is what will increases your performance. What can I offer you is
· Over 21 years of experience in psychology – Nursing, CBT therapist, EMDR therapist and lecturering at the University of Sheffield
· A holistic and personalised therapeutic approach, drawing on additional training in motivation interviewing, Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based therapies and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), ensuring that treatment is tailored to the unique needs of each individual.
· All treatment is evidence-based therapeutic practice, meaning all techniques have been researched and found to be effective.
· Experience of working with diversity and complexity.
· A unique perspective to helping individuals to achieve their goals.
· My own experience of endurance sport – Ironman, multiday events, marathons and representing Great Britain at age group Triathlon
My personal sporting experience, combined with my professional expertise, allows me to tailor CBT techniques to address the specific psychological needs of athletes. I am passionate about helping athletes and active individuals harness the power of their minds to achieve success in sport and exercise, using the robust tools of CBT to support their journey as an athlete.
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I have always been passionate about everyone getting active (what ever this may look like for their self) and believe that you can push yourself further than you think you are able.
2012 Ironman Mexico - 9 months after my baby was born I learnt the power of your mind in sport. Having survived the swim which saw 400+ athletes not make the cut off due to the hurricane that had swept through days before causing a huge swell, I set off on my bike. By half way I was vomiting and overheating and was told by a medic (via google translate!) that he would return and take me to the hospital once he had taken other competitors. I laid at the back of the portaloos feeling terrible but decided it was not far to the transition area where I could rest and have medical treatment if needed. I set off, only to get there and decide that the hotel with my friend and baby were was only a sort distance further - I plodded on! To get there to the cheers of family and friends my mind decided I could not give up - 25miles to go on the bike and a marathon! I got off the bike feeling great, it crashed at 18miles - I had a lie down and pushed through that final 8 miles to the finish line. Reflecting the next day, I realised the power of my mind and breaking it down I was able to achieve what I set out to do.
Since this time, I have applied all element to my training and this has helped to to achieve all the goals that I have set for myself. I now want to help others overcome their mind obstacles to achieve what they want to achieve. The combination of my skills as a CBT therapist and an understanding of a sports mind has helped me create Peak CBT.
Qualifications
BSc(Hons) Applied Psychology Degree
PG(Dip) Mental health Nursing
PG(Dip) High Intensity CBT
EMDR Therapy training
NET therapy Training
Additional training in acceptance and commitment therapy, compassionate focussed therapy and mindfulness.
BABPC Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist
Check the register at https://babcp.com/CBTRegister/Search#
