ROMINA SCARAMAGLI - PSYCHOTHERAPIST
BACKGROUND
I have over 25 years of experience working in mental health services. I started my career as a mental health nurse and became interested in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as an empowering treatment in which people can learn to manage their own mental health. I retrained as a Psychotherapist and have worked in a wide range of mental health settings in the NHS supporting people with mild to moderate and severe and enduring mental health difficulties. I set up my private practice in 2020 after over 20 years working in the NHS.
A SHORT VIDEO INTRODUCTION
MY APPROACH
Life can be joyful, but it can also be incredibly stressful and challenging. None of us can avoid difficult and painful life events and given the right set of circumstances any of us could experience mental health difficulties.
At the heart of my work is the desire to help people move forward from their struggles so they can get on with living their lives in the way they want to.
My approach is based on the understanding that despite what has happened to us and how we might be thinking and feeling, we have the capacity to change. This might take work and practice, but through neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to learn and form new connections, we have the ability to heal and feel better.
Give people the right tools
During these difficult times, having a safe therapeutic space in which to start to understand how we are thinking, feeling and behaving can help us to start to make changes and move forward. In therapy you can learn new skills and ways of understanding yourself that can help you feel more stable and in control of your mental health and life.
Give time for healing
As with our physical health, maintaining our mental health and wellbeing is a lifelong commitment. Stigma around mental health is deeply unhelpful and can prevent people from talking about their struggles and seeking help. It is important to normalise that mental health problems can happen to anyone.
Create a safe space
Look what was sown by the stars
At night across the fields
I am not defined by scars
But by the incredible ability to heal.
- Lemn Sissay, 2019
HOW I WORK
I work with you to develop a shared understanding of how your mental health difficulties are affecting you, what might have contributed to their development and what is keeping them going. Alongside this I help you understand your symptoms and teach you coping strategies, skills and techniques to help manage them.
If we identify your difficulties are due to traumatic experiences that are keeping you stuck and require processing, we will work together to prepare you for this so that you know what to expect and feel ready and confident to proceed. Towards the end of therapy, I will work with you to prepare for discharge and we can develop a relapse plan to help you maintain your mental health once therapy has ended.
Secrets are the stones
That sink the boat
Take them out, look at them
Throw them out and float.
- Lemn Sissay, 2019
MY PROFESSIONAL VALUES
These are the values that shape and guide my practice.
HONESTY
Compassion
COLLABORATION
ACCEPTANCE
SKILLFULNESS
FAIRNESS
TRUST
SAFETY
KINDNESS
PROFESSIONALISM
COURAGE
QUALIFICATIONS
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Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Consultant’s Training
- EMDR UK Association, 2024 -
Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Compassion Focused Therapy
- The Compassionate Mind Foundation, 2019 -
Eye Movement and Desensitisation Therapy Parts 1,2 & 3
- Richman EMDR Training, Part 3 completed in 2018 -
MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- University of Plymouth, 2012 -
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Skills and their Application to Mental Health Problems
- University of Plymouth, 2008 -
Post Graduate Certificate in Education, (PGCE)
- University of Plymouth/Cornwall College, 2006 -
BSc (Hons) Professional Practice – Community Mental Health Nursing Specialist Practitioner
- University of Nottingham, 2003 -
Diploma in Mental Health Nursing, Registered Mental Health Nurse, (RMN)
- University of Nottingham, 1997
PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND ACCREDITATIONS
I am accredited in both CBT and EMDR. Being an accredited therapist is evidence of the following standards:
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Completion of a recognised accredited training course.
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Having been supervised in that therapy working with a specified number of clients with a wide range of difficulties.
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Ongoing continuous professional development training each year to maintain up to date knowledge and skills.
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Receive regular ongoing supervision from another qualified therapist to ensure good practice and maintain standards.
CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, WORKSHOPS AND COURSES
Keeping up to date with professional developments and maintaining my knowledge and skills have always been important to me to ensure a high standard of care. It is also a requirement to maintain my accreditation in CBT and EMDR.
I am currently the Chairperson for the Devon and Cornwall Branch of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists. We volunteer to organise training events for CBT therapists in our area.
2014
March - Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Stress Reduction 8 Week Course - Mindfulness Cornwall
May - Introduction to Mindfulness - Mindfulness Cornwall
2015
January - Integrating Compassion Focused Therapy with Familiar CBT - Dr Mary Welford
2016
May - Part 1 EMDR Training - Richman EMDR Training - EMDR Europe
June - Trauma Focused Cognitive Therapy for PTSD - Dr Nick Grey - BABCP
September - Part 2 EMDR Training - Richman EMDR Training - EMDR Europe
2017
June - Trauma Focused Cognitive Therapy for Complex PTSD - Dr Nick Grey - BABCP
November - Complex OCD - Blake Stobie - BABCP
2018
December - Part 3 EMDR Training - Richman EMDR Training - EMDR Europe
2019
July - An Introduction to Theory and Practice of Compassion Focused Therapy - The Compassionate Mind Foundation
October - Adapting CBT for Autistic Spectrum Disorders - Darren Liddle - BABCP
November - Brush up your EMDR Skills - Dr Robin Logie - EMDR Europe
2020
February - Cognitive Behavioural Chairwork 2 Day Workshop - Introduction and Advanced Skills - Tobyn Bell - BABCP
September - BABCP Virtual Conference
2021
January - Working with the dynamics of shame top 5 insights - Professor Paul Gilbert - Stanton Psychological Serives
March - Experiential Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - Martin Wilks (BABCP)
October - ACT for Beginners 6 Week Course - Psychwire - Dr Russ Harris
2022
April - Behavioural Activation as a Transdiagnostic Treatment Approach - Professor Christopher Martell - CBT Reach
October - Working with Sexual Diversity - Allan Laville - BABCP
November - BABCP 50th Virtual Birthday Conference - BABCP
November - EMDR Interweaves - Dr Alexandra Button - EMDR UK
November - Recovery Focused Therapy for Bipolar Disorder - Steven Jones and Elizabeth Tyler
December - CBT & ADHD: Considerations and Adaptations - Dr Helen Moya
2023
March - Addiction: A motivational problem with a cognitive solution - Dr Frank Ryan (BABCP)
July - Polyvagal Theory & EMDR Through the 8 Phases - Rebecca Kase (EMDR UK)
September - Imagery in CBT: Basics and Beyond - Dr Tobyn Bell - BABCP Events
September - The Practical Integration of Flash Technique within the EMDR Standard Protocol - Justin Havens
November - EMDR Treatment of Chronic Headache and Fybromyalgia - Dr Zeynep Zat
2024
March - EMDR Consultant Training - Richman EMDR Training
November - CBT for Insomnia - Dr Dimitri Gavriloff - BABCP Events
2025
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March - EMDR UK Annual Conference
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April - EMDR with OCD and the Flashforward Technique - Robin Logie (EMDR UK)
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May - Avoidant Attachment Workshop - Anne Power - The Bowlby Centre
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July - Islamophobia Awareness Training - BABCP
FAQs
This varies depending on your needs and goals and generally ranges from between approximately 12 to 20, though can be more. After your assessment, we can discuss an initial treatment plan which will give us an idea of the approach we will take. We will review your progress regularly to ensure the pace and length of therapy remain right for you.
This will depend on your individual needs but in general, we will work together to develop an understanding of what has contributed to your difficulties and what is keeping them going. I will teach you strategies to manage your symptoms which might include; learning to manage your thoughts and feelings, reducing distress, responding to situations differently, building your self-esteem and processing trauma.
Ideally starting with weekly sessions helps to build momentum and make progress sooner. Towards the end of therapy people find it beneficial to space sessions out a bit more as they prepare for discharge.
Choosing a therapist is a personal decision and it is important to find someone you feel comfortable with and trust. I always suggest people find an Accredited therapist as this shows evidence of a certain level of training, experience, ongoing supervision and professional development. I recommend having an initial conversation with a few different therapists to get a sense of how you might work together. A good therapeutic relationship is key to making progress and feeling supported.
Yes, you are free to end therapy at any time. We will agree a plan from the start but you are not committed to any number of sessions. Ideally we will plan for your discharge beforehand and I offer a relapse planning service which means we can create a document together that includes skills you have learnt in therapy that can help to keep you well and a plan of what to do if you start to struggle.
Sessions take place online via Zoom. This allows you to access therapy from the comfort and privacy of your own space and makes it easier to fit sessions into your schedule and avoids the need for travel. I can provide clear instructions and support to ensure you feel confident using Zoom if you need this. If you are unfamiliar with Zoom it is a good idea to practice before your first session.
My therapy sessions last for one hour. We will agree the agenda for the session at the beginning of each appointment.
