Paul GRimmer

Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT)

Paul Grimmer

Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist Specialising in Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma

BSc, BSc (Hons), BABCP Accredited.

Pronouns - Him/He

Hi, my name is Paul, I am an experienced psychotherapist with a career in mental health and wellbeing of over 15 years. I began my journey toward becoming a therapist working as a volunteer mentor supporting survivors of trauma through expressive arts. I subsequently trained as an occupational therapist (OT) and then a psychotherapist in a number of therapy approaches, CBT, EMDR, CFT, DDP and neurobiologically informed practices. I have worked primarily within the NHS in a range of specialist services, most recently as a senior psychological therapist in a dedicated trauma informed team. I recently began working in private practice, continuing to specialise in working in an integrative way with trauma and shame particularly focused on the role of attachment relationships.

 

What is trauma?

 

There is a commonly held belief that trauma is something that happens to us, an event like a car accident or being in a war. However, contemporary understanding tells us that trauma is not the event itself but the response we have to the event. This can extend into all areas of life, leaving us on high alert, easily triggered into intense emotional overwhelm or feeling shutdown and numb. We might find we swing between these states or are stuck in cycles of rumination, worry and emotional avoidance. We might be able to function reasonably well in many areas of life but struggle to trust or feel connected to other people. The legacy of trauma can be felt through generations and may underpin many of the common mental health diagnoses we are familiar with such as depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, adjustment disorder, eating disorders, personality disorders and persistent pain/fatigue.

 

The role of attachment

 

In therapy we will work together to compassionately understanding how your past memories and experiences, including primary attachment relationships and losses, can continue to impact you in the here and now. Attachment is the deep capacity and motivation to give and receive care that is primarily associated with our earliest relationships. These relationships are crucial to our development and form a blueprint for how we think about ourselves, other people and the wider communities we inhabit. Understanding our relational experiences enables us to turn toward difficult and avoided feelings such as vulnerability, hopelessness, shame and rejection that might be keeping us stuck, repeating old patterns in the here and now.

 

I would not imagine leading someone on a path I had not previously taken myself. I have my own lived experiences and have been on the other side of the therapeutic alliance as a client a number of times in my life. These experiences have taught me as much as my professional roles and have nurtured in me a therapeutic approach that is sensitive, compassionate and curious. Sessions will move at your pace, without any pressure, expectation or judgement.

 

I look forward to meeting you.

 

I work one-to-one with adults over the age of 18 years.

 

Paul’s is an expert in the treatment of the following problems:

  • Anxiety - Generalised (GAD)

  • Anxiety - Fears of abandonment

  • Depression - Low Mood

  • Low Self-Esteem

  • Attachment issues

  • Life transitions

  • Childhood trauma

  • Complex PTSD

Paul is also experienced in the treatment of the following problems:

  •  ADHD

  • Anxiety

  • Anxiety - Stress

  • Anxiety - Agoraphobia

  • Anxiety - Health

  • Anxiety - Death

  • Anxiety - Panic / Panic Attacks

  • Anxiety - Performance

  • Anxiety - Separation

  • Anxiety - Social

  • Anxiety - Phobias

  • Emetophobia (Specific Fear of Vomit)

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

  • Emotional Regulation

  • Family Issues

  • Parenting issues

  • Grief / Bereavement / Loss

  • LGBTQI+ Related Issues

  • Relationship - Communication difficulties

  • Anger

  • Trauma - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Trauma - Disassociation

Models of Treatment Paul is experienced in;

  • BABCP Accredited CBT Therapist

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Eye Movement Desensitisation Regulation (EMDR)

  • Mindfulness

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT

  • Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)

  • Neurobiologically informed practices

  • Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)

  • Integrative Therapy

  • Interpersonal Therapy

  • Person Centred Therapy

  • Schema Therapy

Professional Accreditation/Qualifications

  • BABCP fully accredited CBT psychotherapist

  • PgDip Cognitive Behavioural

  • Psychotherapy HCPC registered Occupational Therapist

  • RCOT membership BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy

What is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidenced based & well researched talking therapy. It is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for many mental health problems.

It is most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for many other mental and physical health problems.

CBT focuses upon how your thoughts and behaviours impact upon your emotions and physical symptoms.

CBT is collaborative treatment and typically involves doing homework tasks between appointments.

It aims to teach you to become your own therapist, teaching you tools so you can keep using the strategies and techniques you have learned after you have finished therapy.


What is DDP?

In therapy, DDP stands for Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy.

It is a therapeutic approach specifically designed to help children and young people who have experienced trauma, neglect, or attachment disruptions. Developed by Dr. Daniel Hughes, DDP focuses on building secure attachment relationships and enhancing emotional regulation. It is also commonly used to support foster and adoptive families.

The therapy emphasises creating a safe and trusting environment through principles like PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy), allowing the child or young person to process difficult emotions and experiences in a supportive way.

What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic approach designed to help people heal from trauma and highly distressing experiences. When a person goes through psychological trauma or significant stress, their brain may struggle to fully process the event. This can leave the person feeling "stuck" with disturbing emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations that resurface as if they were reliving the experience.

EMDR helps to reprocess these stuck memories, allowing the brain to resolve them in a healthier way. This often leads to a significant reduction, or even elimination, of distressing symptoms, improving emotional well-being.

Recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2013 as an effective treatment for trauma and trauma-related disorders, EMDR has been extensively researched and proven to help with a wide range of psychological difficulties. The therapy follows a structured eight-phase protocol that ensures safety and guidance for the client. During sessions, bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements or tapping—helps the brain process traumatic memories in a controlled and conscious manner.

Many clients find that EMDR can lead to faster, more lasting results compared to traditional talk therapy alone, making it a highly effective option for addressing trauma and other distressing life events.

 

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