Dr Birgit vote

Counselling Psychologist

Dr Birgit vote

Schema Therapy, EMDR and CBT Psychologist

Counselling Psychologist specialising in complex trauma, PTSD and long-standing emotional patterns

✔ Nearly 20 years’ mental health experience
✔ HCPC-registered Counselling Psychologist
✔ BABCP-accredited CBT therapist
✔ EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner
✔ Working towards certification in Schema Therapy
✔ Therapy available in English and German
✔ Free 15-minute introductory call

Dr Birgit Vote is an experienced Counselling Psychologist specialising in complex trauma, PTSD and long-standing emotional and relationship patterns. She draws on Schema Therapy, EMDR and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to provide personalised online psychological therapy.

Birgit has nearly 20 years’ experience working in mental health services. She has held a senior NHS role managing a specialist trauma pathway and has extensive experience supporting people affected by childhood trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, fears of abandonment and difficult relationship patterns.

Birgit is an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner, a BABCP-accredited CBT therapist and is currently working towards certification in Schema Therapy. This combination allows her to consider both the immediate symptoms affecting you and the deeper experiences or emotional patterns that may be keeping those difficulties going.

Birgit understands that choosing a therapist is a deeply personal decision. She creates a safe, collaborative and respectful space in which you can speak openly, understand your experiences and work towards meaningful change. Together, you will consider which therapeutic approach—or combination of approaches—is most appropriate for your needs and goals.

Alongside her clinical practice, Birgit is a guest lecturer at the University of Essex. She also provides supervision to CBT therapists in private practice and Mental Health Coordinators working within social care.

Areas of Specialism

Trauma and PTSD

• Complex trauma

• Childhood trauma

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Road traffic accidents

• Distressing or overwhelming experiences

• Difficulties connected with earlier relationships or unmet emotional needs

Anxiety and Emotional Difficulties

• Generalised Anxiety Disorder

• Social anxiety

• Persistent stress and worry

• Depression and low mood

• Sleep difficulties

• Low self-esteem

• Fear of rejection or abandonment

Relationships and Life Changes

• Attachment difficulties

• Recurring relationship patterns

• Separation and divorce

• Grief and loss

• Redundancy and workplace stress

• Difficulty trusting other people

• People-pleasing or repeatedly putting others’ needs first

Therapeutic Approaches & Models

• Schema Therapy – currently working towards certification

• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing – EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – BABCP accredited

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – ACT trained and ACBS member

• Person-Centred Therapy

• Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

• Integrative Therapy

Professional Training & Accreditations

• HCPC number - PYL30735

• BABCP 90134

• Part 1, 2, 3 EMDR Training

• Doctorate in Counselling Psychology

• BABCP Accreditation

• Diploma in Psychology

Languages Fluent in:

• English

• German

Schema Therapy with Dr Birgit Vote

Schema Therapy can be particularly helpful when difficulties feel deeply rooted or when the same painful emotional and relationship patterns keep repeating.

These patterns, known as schemas, often develop through early experiences and unmet emotional needs. Although they may once have helped you cope, they can continue to influence how you understand yourself, respond to emotional triggers and relate to other people.

Birgit can use Schema Therapy to help you:

• Recognise recurring emotional and relationship patterns

• Understand how earlier experiences may be affecting your present life

• Identify unhelpful coping responses

• Respond differently to fears of rejection or abandonment

• Develop greater emotional awareness and self-compassion

• Build healthier relationships with yourself and others

Birgit may integrate Schema Therapy with CBT or EMDR where appropriate, depending on your history, difficulties and therapy goals.

EMDR for Trauma and Distressing Experiences

EMDR is a structured psychological therapy designed to help people process traumatic or highly distressing experiences. Memories that have not been fully processed can sometimes continue to trigger powerful emotions, thoughts, physical sensations or a sense that the experience is happening again.

As an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner, Birgit can help you process these experiences safely and at an appropriate pace. EMDR may be offered independently or integrated with Schema Therapy or CBT where this provides a more suitable treatment plan.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT explores how thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and behaviour influence one another. It can help you recognise cycles that may be maintaining anxiety, low mood or stress and develop practical strategies for responding differently.

Birgit is fully accredited by the BABCP and works collaboratively, helping you develop skills and insights that can continue to support you after therapy has finished.

Frequently Asked Questions