DBT Therapist (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) 15 years experience
EFIT (Emotionally Focused Therapist – Individuals) 5 years experience
EFCT (Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist – Couples) 5 years experience
My name is Denise and I am a DBT Therapist with over fifteen years experience.
I work with clients who experience severe and enduring mental health problems and who also might have been referred to as having BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) or EUPD (Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder). These terms, used in medical circles, often mean you likely experience difficulties regulating your emotions or are emotionally sensitive, experience impulsivity, think about or engage in self-harm or substance misuse, have fears of abandonment, extreme reactions to stressful events and difficulties maintaining relationships, or experience chaotic ones. You don’t need to have a formal diagnosis as I can support you with an Informed DBT approach to these problems that prevent you from living a satisfying and
meaningful life.
DBT can also support you with Anxiety and Depression, Post-traumatic stress, and C-PTSD (Complex PTSD). Over the years that I have been practicing as a DBT Therapist, I have supported many clients and worked in settings including medium and low-secure units. Since 2019 I have worked in private practice. I particularly enjoy helping clients in the initial stages of their recovery when they need the most support. Changes often start to take place after only a few weeks, and it is always a privilege to be allowed to accompany someone along their journey to a more meaningful life.
DBT is not the only therapy I can support you with. I also have experience in Emotionally Focused Therapy and work with individuals and couples. Emotionally Focused Therapy is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that draws upon attachment theory to facilitate a secure connection with yourself and others. “EFT helps clients identify and transform the negative processing and interaction patterns that create distress.” (ICEEFT) It is proven to be helpful with anxiety, depression, and trauma in individuals and for distress in relationships and partnerships.
Other approaches I incorporate into my therapeutic practice are Polyvagal Theory, Acceptance, and Commitment Therapy, radical open DBT (for clients with disorders of ‘over-control’), and DBT for c-PTSD.
Professional Development
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy: Denise's core DBT training with British Isles DBT National Training
The team was in 2010. It has been followed by 15 years of continuous professional development, weekly
team consultation and further individual coaching.
Problem Solving in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Dr Heidi Heard, British Isles DBT
Using DBT Skills for Anger Management, Professor Thomas Lynch
Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in DBT with High-Risk Clients, Dr Melanie Harned, British Isles
DBT
Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals (Trauma-Focused): Levels 1-2 out of 2 with Dr Sue
Johnson and Dr Leanne Campbell, The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused
Therapy (ICEEFT)
Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples: Externship and Advanced Core Skills Training (Levels 1-4
out of 4), The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Made Simple, Dr Russ Harris
Advanced Skills in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dr Russ Harris
Teaching Clients Mindfulness Skills, British Isles DBT
Introduction to Compassion-Focused Therapy for Shame and Self-Critical Behaviour, Professor Paul
Gilbert, The Compassionate Mind Foundation
Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO DBT), Professor Thomas Lynch
Group Radical Openness (GRO), Dr Richard Booth and Dr Rachel Egan
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Complex PTSD (developed to treat sexual and/or physical traumas
experienced during childhood and adolescence) with Professor Martin Bohus
Affiliations/Memberships
Member of the Society for DBT (SfDBT) in the UK and Ireland
Member of BABCP
Other Qualifications:
Doctor of Philosophy (University of Northampton)
Post Graduate Certificate in Post-Compulsory Education (University of Leicester)
To book directly with Denise (Mondays and Thursdays), please contact her directly on 07984 817460 or
email djpoynter29@gmail.com
You can also book with Denise via the Devon Clinic. Please call us on 01803 500300 OR email reception@devonclinic.co.uk