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Tinnitus E-Programme

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An Overview

I have many years experience working with some 10,000 patients referred to me because of distressing tinnitus over my almost 30 year career span, having qualified in 1994 as a Hearing Therapist and subsequently specialising in the management of tinnitus distress. 11 years on in 2005, I further qualified as a psychotherapist with a Post Graduate Diploma, followed by a masters (MSc) in Psychotherapy with the University of Sheffield completed in 2012.

Over the years, I developed numerous courses and provided training for Audiologists (NHS and those in private practice) in Counselling Skills and Tinnitus Management (CSTCP course) including across the five regions of Northern Ireland for N.I. Health & Social Care to audiologists and Specialist Sensory Social Workers in 2016.

In 2010, after 17 years in the NHS, I took early retirement as Head of Hearing Therapy services at East Lancashire NHS Hospitals Trust, and set up a clinic in Clitheroe, Lancashire providing CBT for Tinnitus. Concurrently, I provided psychotherapy, mainly CBT, for non-tinnitus patients with all types of anxiety (GAD, panic, post-trauma stress, social anxiety, phobias) and depression

In 2012, I developed a new on-line Masters level module in Rehabilitation for Audiologists for the University of Manchester (School of Psychological Sciences)

After 2012, I worked closely with tinnitus researchers at the NIHR (National Institute of Health Research) NHBRC (National Hearing Biological Research Centre) and continued to be involved in research projects, including in the capacity as trainer and co-author of a large inter-disciplinary project developing a manual in tinnitus management for audiologists, and a second project in my role as founder of the Tinnitus E-Programme as an online resource

Over the intervening years, I have presented at various conferences and professional events

Medico-Legal: most commonly tinnitus management, for medico-legal clients with distressing tinnitus that require my psychotherapy skills. Medico-legal work is arranged through a client's solicitor, most often following RTAs. I also acted as an Expert Witness to the Court in cases of tinnitus

Background

As Head of Hearing Therapy Services based in Burnley and Blackburn at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust for 9 years 2001-2010, my responsibilities were for specialist rehabilitative service provision for NHS patients who have tinnitus, hyperacusis, balance/vestibular disorders and hearing loss

Prior to moving to Lancashire, I was based in Birmingham (1996-2001) and before that, in Epping, Essex (1993-1996). Prior to working in the NHS, my background was in teaching. I was a lecturer for 10 years at the City Lit, London, teaching Hearing Therapists in training, Lipreading Teachers in training and teaching Lipreading to adults with hearing loss
CBT for Tinnitus E-Programme © 2009-2024

CBT for Tinnitus E-Programme Ltd
Company Number: 15206830
Company Director: Debbie Featherstone


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