Tom Wharam

Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist & EMDR Therapist

Pronouns - He/Him

As an experienced cognitive-behavioural psychotherapist (CBT), Tom is a certified practitioner with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (Membership Number: 00000100000874). Tom places the client’s needs at the core of therapy, emphasising a client-centred, passionate, and evidence-based approach. Tom has highly professional standards and strives for excellence in his clinical practice.

Tom has over 10 years of experience working with people with emotional and psychological difficulties in a variety of NHS mental health settings, local authority settings, and primary and secondary schools. Tom has worked with children, young adults, and families to deliver moderate-to-severe treatments for mental health problems delivered through long-term and short-term interventions.

Adhering to professional standards, Tom strives for excellence in clinical practice. Specialising in anxiety, low mood, and complex trauma, Tom follows NICE guidelines, incorporating evidence-based treatments. Alongside conventional CBT for anxieties and depression, Tom offers 3rd wave approaches like ACT and CFT, tailoring his approach to fit in with the values of the individual.

My values. I am passionate about working in trauma-informed care and using a whole-person approach. Trauma can have a huge impact and often underpin mental health difficulties. I can work with you to help you process the source of your difficulties or to focus on your current symptoms. Some people often wish to focus on their current experiences of anxiety or depression, while others wish to focus on the underlying factors that may have led them to have these. I will always work in a trauma-informed practice, and I am rather interested in "what has happened to you” rather than what is wrong with you."

Special interest along with my passion for working with complex mental health problems and complex trauma. I have a special interest in GAD and OCD.

Tom excels within the treatment ERP for OCD. He also enjoys being creative in therapy, which can include using whiteboards and drawing images. Tom can easily build a strong relationship with people who present with other difficulties, such as ASD or ADHD

Tom is a specialist in the treatment of the following problems:

  • Anxiety - Stress

  • Anxiety - Agoraphobia

  • Anxiety - Generalised (GAD)

  • Panic / Panic Attacks

  • Anxiety - Separation

  • Anxiety - Social

  • Anxiety - Phobias

  • Emetophobia (Specific Fear of Vomit)

  • Depression - Low Mood

  • Depression - Major

  • Emotional Regulation

  • Low Self-Esteem

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Perfectionism

  • Trauma - Childhood Trauma

  • Career Coaching

Tom is highly experienced in the treatment of the following problems:

  • Anger

  • Anxiety - Health

  • Anxiety - Fears of abandonment

  • Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

  • Body Image Problems

  • Self Harm

  • LGBTQI+ Related Issues

  • Pain management

  • Parenting Issues

  • Sleep - Problems

  • Sleep - Insomnia

  • Trauma - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Trauma - Complex PTSD

  • Trauma - Road Traffic Accidents

  • Work - General

LGBTQI+ Competency - Tom worked with children experiencing difficulties with LGBT. Supported parents with the journey. Previously used to run a LGBTQI+ group for up to 25 years twice a week supporting there needs.

Models and approaches Tom is trained to use:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • BABCP Accredited CBT Therapist

  • Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)

  • Coaching (Career / Life)

  • Mindfulness


  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)

  • Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

  • Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Person-centred therapy

  • Structural family therapy

  • Systemic Family therapy

Tom works with:

  • Children (Under 10 Years)

  • Adolescents (10 - 18 Years)

  • Adults (19-65 Years) 

Feedback about therapy with Tom

“Tom was brilliant for Will. Will instantly connected with him and he felt at ease to talk to him. Tom really helped Will to make sense what he had been through and what he was experiencing. Will enjoyed the sessions.” Anonymous

Tom’s training & credentials

  • Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

  • BABCP Accreditation Reg No.100000874

  • Postgraduate certificate (PG Cert) in LI CBT (IAPT)

  • EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy)

  • BA (Hons) Criminology

    Further training in:

    As part of Tom's registration and accreditation, he has to complete several "continued professional development events per year.

    Tom ensures he receives the most up-to-date training available with the world's leading experts in the field. Tom goes above and beyond the minimum CPD requirements.

What is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a scientifically backed psychological treatment proven effective for a range of mental health issues. It is a collaborative approach where therapists and clients work together to understand and address problems by examining the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT focuses on identifying automatic thoughts and beliefs that influence emotions and actions, aiming to alter negative patterns to improve mental health.

The therapy encompasses both cognitive and behavioral techniques. Cognitively, it helps individuals become more aware of their thought processes and challenges distorted perceptions they have about themselves, others, and the world. Behaviorally, it addresses how individuals react to distress, such as through avoidance or unhelpful behaviors, and aims to change these responses to reduce distress and enhance coping skills.

CBT is goal-oriented, focusing on present issues while acknowledging the role of past experiences. It emphasizes the development of specific skills for problem-solving and coping that clients can apply in their daily lives. This involves homework assignments between sessions to practice these skills, ensuring continuous progress and adaptation of strategies to achieve the best outcomes. CBT's efficacy crosses diverse demographics, making it a versatile tool for improving mental health regardless of an individual's background.

What is Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy?

EMDR is a psychological therapy for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. EMDR facilitates the accessing and processing of traumatic memories to bring these to an adaptive resolution. After successful treatment with EMDR, emotional distress is relieved, negative beliefs are reformulated, and anxiety is reduced. 

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing integrates elements of many effective psychotherapies in structured protocols that are designed to maximise treatment effects. The effectiveness of EMDR for PTSD has been demonstrated by research, and EMDR is recommended as an evidence-based procedure by the British Department of Health, among other professional bodies.

 

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