About Emma Forbes
OCD Therapy Specialist
I’ve always been interested in psychology and mental health and it was during my years as a community mental health nurse that I first came across someone with OCD.
Being able to work with them and do ‘exposure tasks‘ together was exciting and it was rewarding to see the change our work made to my client’s quality of life!
CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) is recommended to treat a spectrum of mental health problems and I’d been using it in my community work for many years.
When I started my private practice in 2018, I noticed a real sense of understanding and positive change when I used CBT for clients with OCD. In 2021 I decided to specialise in OCD and haven’t looked back.
OCD can present many distressing themes to themes, thoughts and urges and I deeply understand what the issues and difficulties are as I have worked with many clients experiencing them.
Due to my years of experience as a mental health nurse and then in my private practice, I have lots of techniques and strategies to help you.
When you work with me, you get the best of both worlds; access to an evidence-based (i.e. it works!) psychological treatment and the knowledge and expertise of a long standing mental health practitioner with specific OCD experience.
Good therapy should be client-centred and based on your values and goals. I am here to help you achieve them.
Contacting me is the first step
I understand that contacting a therapist can feel daunting as OCD behaviours and intrusive thoughts can feel embarrassing or shameful.
However, please feel assured that our work is strictly confidential and whatever your OCD thoughts are, I experience in your particular area of difficulty.
If you would like to discuss how CBT can help with your current difficulties, please get in touch.
My
background
Over 30 years of mental health experience and now specialising Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Trained as a Registered Mental Health Nurse in 1990 and worked for the NHS, British Army and overseas until retiring from the NHS in September 2022.
Worked mainly in community settings before starting my private practice.
Qualified as a CBT BABCP accredited therapist since 2007.
Private practice in Brighton and Hove since 2018 and previous to that, in Salisbury.
Started in the NHS
I qualified as a general nurse in 1990 and went onto complete my mental health nursing in 1992.
My career has, until recently, been firmly set within the NHS mainly working in community mental health settings.
Worked abroad and returned to study CBT
I’ve had the privilege to work with the British Army in Germany and Cyprus, which broadened my experience.
On my return to the UK in 2003, I started my CBT course at Southampton University in 2005 while working as a Community Psychiatric Nurse.
I’ve always been interested in psychology and the ability to offer an evidence based treatment (CBT) was a great opportunity.
Finished accreditation and moved to the Cayman Islands
In 2007, I was awarded my accreditation with the BABCP and have been practicing ever since. I worked for 4 years in the Cayman Islands as a therapist in a non-profit organisation to a diverse cultural client group.
Private Practice back in the UK
My next job brought me back to the UK where I worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Salisbury Hospital, where I started my private practice.
Moving to Hove in 2018 brought me back to the sea where I grew up, and I love living here!
Alongside growing private practice in Brighton, I worked for the NHS as a psychological therapist in a physical health team and treated patients in the community.
I retired from the NHS in 2022 and now work solely in my private practice, specialising in OCD Therapy.
I understand OCD
and how hard it
is to live with
The thoughts can be about someone close to you or an issue/belief that is important to you. They may be linked to ‘something bad happening’, to yourself or those close to you. OCD goes against our personal values such as being a kind, caring person and wants us to buy into the opposite, i.e. that we could be violent, contaminated or sexually inappropriate.
These thoughts or images are so upsetting as they are the last thing you would wish to happen. I understand how difficult this can be to manage and offer treatment in a safe non-judgmental and confidential space.
Let me help you. I aim to give you the strategies to deal with the thoughts (obsessions), change your relationship with them and let go of the behaviours (compulsions) you may be using for a short-term relief.
At times we all experience upsetting thoughts, feelings and negative behaviours.
These can feel overwhelming.
In OCD, these thoughts are particularly distressing and can be accompanied by the urge to wash, check, clean, avoid, or say/do something to reduce distress and feel better.