CBT · EMDR · ACT · MINDFULNESS · CFT
The story in your head isn’t the full story
Self Stories is a collective of BABCP-accredited therapists offering evidence-based therapy for anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma and PTSD. online across the UK and in-person in Birmingham & Solihull.
WHO WE ARE
Thoughtful, human, evidence-based therapy shaped around you.
We're a small, carefully selected group of BABCP accredited CBT therapists who believe that good therapy isn't about fixing you. It's about helping you understand what's getting in the way and building a life that feels worth showing up for.
We specialise in evidence-based approaches including CBT, EMDR, ACT, CFT and mindfulness-based therapy. These aren't just different tools they share a common thread: helping you relate differently to your inner world, so it has less power to hold you back.
OUR APPROACH
Rooted in science. Grounded in compassion.
We work from a strong CBT foundation, with a genuine lean into third-wave approaches such as ACT, CFT and mindfulness. What unites them is a focus on helping you build a different, more flexible relationship with your thoughts, feelings and experience.
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Connectedness
No human thrives in isolation. We’re wired to connect, to share, to unburden. It’s about normalising the human experience and recognising that we’re all in this together.
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Inclusiveness
Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. We use a flexible, process-based approach rooted in third wave CBT to address common human patterns that keep people stuck, whatever their background.
03
Compassion
We see you. Getting here took courage, starting, stopping, hesitating, then stepping through the door. Well done. Our therapists honour that bravery and meet you where you are..
04
Collaboration
You're the expert on your own life. We bring the clinical knowledge. Together, we build something that works for you, not a protocol, but a genuinely tailored approach.
OUR THERAPY APPROACHES
Evidence-based therapy, without the jargon.
Each approach we offer is grounded in research. More importantly, each one offers something a little different and we'll work with you to figure out what fits best.
FOUNDATION
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you understand the relationship between your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. When you're stuck in patterns of anxiety, low mood or avoidance, it gives you practical, evidence-based tools to notice what's happening and respond differently. Collaborative, structured, and built around your life.
Anxiety · Depression · OCD · Health Anxiety · Social Anxiety · GAD · PTSD · Stress
SELF-COMPASSION
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
CFT is for people who are hard on themselves. If your inner voice sounds more like a relentless critic than a trusted guide, CFT helps you understand where that voice came from and develop a steadier, more balanced relationship with yourself. Not soft. Not sentimental. Just more human, and far more effective than self-criticism ever was.
Shame · Self-Criticism · Trauma · Low Self-Worth · Emotional Regulation
TRAUMA PROCESSING
Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing is one of the most effective, NICE-recommended treatments for PTSD and trauma. Using bilateral stimulation, it helps your brain reprocess distressing memories, reducing their emotional charge, often without needing to talk through every detail. Powerful, and often quicker than people expect.
PTSD · Trauma · Distressing memories · Phobias · Anxiety
PRESENT-MOMENT AWARENESS
Mindfulness-Based CBT (MbCBT)
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy combines CBT skills with mindfulness practice, helping you notice your thoughts without being swept away by them. It builds a steadier, more grounded relationship with your inner world. Particularly helpful for people with recurring depression, high anxiety, or a very busy, self-critical mind.
Depression Relapse · Anxiety · Stress · Emotional Dysregulation · Rumination · Worry
VALUES-LED LIVING
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT takes a different angle. Rather than trying to eliminate difficult thoughts and feelings, it helps you change your relationship with them, noticing them without letting them drive the bus. The goal isn't to feel better in the short term. It's to build a life that matters, even when the mind gets noisy.
Anxiety · Chronic Pain · Depression · PTSD · Emotional Avoidance · Burnout · Low Self Esteem
Not sure which approach is right for you? That's exactly what the free consultation is for.
WHO WE HELP
Reaching out, courage in action
Whether you've been struggling for years or something has recently shifted, our therapists are experienced in working with a wide range of common mental health difficulties.
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Generalised anxiety, constant worry, and a mind that won't switch off. We help you understand what's keeping the anxiety going and what actually helps ease it, long-term.
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Whether from a single event or prolonged difficult experiences, trauma leaves a mark. EMDR and trauma-focused CBT are both highly effective and we offer both.
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When everything feels flat, heavy or pointless. We work together to understand the patterns keeping you stuck and help you move, gradually and sustainably towards what matters.
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Obsessive thoughts, compulsions and rituals that consume your time and energy. CBT with ERP is the gold-standard treatment for OCD, and we have extensive experience delivering it well.
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Persistent worry about illness, constant checking, reassurance-seeking that never quite satisfies. We help you understand the cycle maintaining it and find a way out of it.
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The dread before social situations. The post-event replay. The self-consciousness that quietly makes life smaller.
OUR SERVICES
Ways we can work together
01
Individual
Therapy
Face-to-face or online sessions, 50 minutes each. A consistent, private space to do meaningful work, whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, or something harder to name. We offer focused short-term work and longer-term support, depending on what you need
02
Clinical Supervision
Thoughtful, reflective supervision for trainee and qualified therapists. Grounded in third-wave CBT and process-based approaches, a space to sit with complexity and grow without being rushed to an answer.
03
Workshops & Webinars
Bespoke sessions for organisations looking to build psychologically-informed cultures. We bring evidence-based thinking on stress, mental health and wellbeing into workplaces in a way that actually lands.
Every therapist at Self Stories is BABCP accredited and carefully vetted, not just for qualifications, but for the warmth, curiosity and clinical rigour that good therapy requires. Face-to-face sessions in Birmingham & Solihull. Online therapy available across the UK.
Ready to take the first step?
A free 15-minute call. No commitment, no pressure, just a chance to ask questions, share a little of yor story, and see if we're the right fit.
CONTACT US
For anything else, get in touch
COMMON QUESTIONS
You might be wondering…
How do I know which type of therapy is right for me?
You don't have to figure that out before you get in touch. Our free 15-minute consultation is specifically designed to help us understand what you're dealing with and which approach is most likely to help. We'll be honest with you about what the evidence says.
What's the difference between CBT and approaches like ACT or CFT?
CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. Third-wave approaches like ACT and CFT shift the emphasis slightly, less about changing the content of thoughts, more about changing your relationship with them. In practice, our therapists often weave all of these together, depending on what's most useful for you.
Can EMDR be done online?
Yes. EMDR adapts well to online delivery, and our therapists are trained to work in this format. You'll need a stable internet connection and a private space. Many clients find online EMDR just as effective as in-person work.
How many sessions will I need?
It genuinely depends on what you're working with. Focused difficulties can sometimes shift in 6–12 sessions. Complex or long-standing presentations usually benefit from more time. We'll give you an honest, realistic view at your initial consultation.