Psychotherapy Services | Laura Hans Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Mums

Let Somebody Care for You While You Learn to Care for Yourself

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (or CBT for short) is an evidence-based talking therapy that looks at the link between how you think, how you feel and what you do.

When we are feeling low or anxious, our thinking styles and behaviours can change and become unhelpful. In the short term, these unhelpful thoughts and behaviours can enable us to manage or cope in certain situations, but in the longer term they can fuel the original problem by creating a vicious cycle.

CBT aims to help you identify the thought patterns and vicious cycles that are negatively impacting your life. It provides you with strategies to break these cycles, so you feel better emotionally in the here and now. CBT can also help you learn and develop life-long skills so that once therapy is finished, you’ll be able to self-manage any difficulties as they arise.

Learn More About CBT

What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)?

HOW CAN CBT HELP ME?

CBT is a highly effective treatment for low mood, depression and anxiety. It can also help with:

Excessive worry and fear
Panic attacks
Birth trauma
Other unresolved past trauma(s)
Distressing intrusive thoughts
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Unrealistic high standards/perfectionism
Learning to spot, challenge and change self-critical thinking
Developing more self-compassion
Adapting to the physical changes that come with having a baby

Taking steps to improve your mental health can also benefit you physically. Numerous studies show CBT can reduce stress, improve sleep, boost your confidence and enhance the quality of your relationships and home life. It can also enhance your social life by helping you return to doing things you may have stopped or reduced due to low mood or anxiety.

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What Should I Expect?

Treatment sessions last 50 minutes and are conducted either in person or remotely via Microsoft Teams. Appointments are generally offered on a weekly basis, but I am always happy to be led by you in terms of the support you need.

After defining your treatment goals, you will work towards them by learning strategies you can use to make changes to your thoughts and behaviours. If your emotional difficulties started roughly within the last year, it is likely you will need around 6-12 sessions. However, if you have been experiencing difficulties for a longer period of time, it is likely you will need more appointments (usually up to 20 sessions) to see the desired effect.

The goal of CBT is to teach you how to become your own therapist so you can go on to self-manage your symptoms. The more you practice outside of therapy, the more likely you will be able to independently manage your symptoms going forward. At the end of each session, we will agree a ‘homework’ or ‘skills practice’ exercise which will allow you to put into practice the skills learnt in the session.

Learn More About The Role of Homework in CBT

Like going to the gym for your physical health, you can invest in therapy even when you’re well. Some clients choose to receive ongoing emotional support throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period at a frequency that suits them.

For some, this is weekly appointments. For others, it is once a fortnight or once a month. These appointments tend to focus on how you’ve been getting on and working through any potential setbacks since your last session.

Alternatively, my Antenatal Class For Your Mental Health can help you spot when your mental health is starting to slip and what to do about it.

Learn More About Perinatal Mental Health

Do I Have to Wait for a Crisis Before Accessing CBT?

What Does it Cost?

Each session with me is £125 and lasts 50 minutes. I work Monday - Friday 9-3pm.

I provide face-to-face therapy in my beautiful garden office in the Milton Keynes, MK3 area (you’ll receive the full address upon booking). There’s plenty of free on-street parking available and my therapy room is large enough for you to bring your baby if you want or need to.

I also offer therapy remotely via Microsoft Teams. You’re welcome to book a mix of both face-to-face and remote sessions – I’m happy to go with whatever feels best for you.

What my clients say...

I have been working with Laura for 5 months and it has been a really positive experience. She is warm and patient and takes time to completely understand all that you are thinking and going through. Laura really listens to what you have to say but through discussion also makes you think about situations in a different way. She is able to suggest a range of strategies and is always keen to see how they have helped and whether they need adapting or changing. Laura is great at taking the lead in a session but also allows you the opportunity to focus on specific areas that are of concern. Since working with Laura I have found that I think about many things differently and in a more positive and less reactionary way. It has been a life changing experience.

I cannot begin to describe what Laura has done to help me, she has had such a positive impact on my life. What struck me was how kind and genuine she was during our sessions. She had the perfect mix of empathy and pragmatism. What also stood out was how well she remembered our sessions. If you've sought help before you will know the experience of having to repeat yourself to different people and how hard that can be but that's not the case with Laura. She manages to make you feel like you are the only person she is treating. She will hone in on the things you discuss and really target your treatment. If you are looking for someone, look no further. I'd take Laura over the most expensive therapist money could buy any day of the week. Thanks for everything Laura!

I came to Laura when I was quite possibly at my lowest in terms of my mental health. Laura gave me the safe space I needed to talk out and deal with some of the trauma I have experienced. Laura gave me the help and guidance I needed to recover and be the woman I am today. I cannot recommend Laura enough and wouldn’t hesitate in recommending her to anyone. Laura taught me it is okay to feel how I have been feeling and her methods and teaching I still use in my daily life! Thank you for helping me on my own journey.

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