Online and in-person sessions with Limor Lancaster - over 20 years of experience supporting people through change and growth. Short Term. Focused. Life-changing.
I am an Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist specialising in anxiety disorders and low self-esteem. My experience includes working within NHS talking therapies and mental health team. My background in social work has shaped me into a therapist who truly understands the complexities of the human experience.
I offer a kind, supportive, and safe space where we can explore unhelpful beliefs, feelings and behaviour to achieve change.
My therapeutic approach is friendly and encouraging, grounded in genuine care and a deep commitment to my clients. I believe in being direct yet compassionate. You are likely to find our sessions energising and bring you hope.
I'm deeply passionate about my practice, and I would love to support you in overcoming your anxiety and reclaiming your confidence.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation and would be happy to speak with you.
Looking forward to connecting with you.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a short-term, goal-oriented psychological approach focused on identifying patterns of thought and behaviour that influence our emotions and reactions.
Many difficulties stem from distored interpretations of situations and thinking styles that hinder daily functioning. CBT emphasises creating change in the present - it's effectiveness is well-supported by extensive research
This is the approach I use in my practice - focused on the here and now, to relieve distress and improve emotional well-being.
You know yourself, your feelings and your needs better than anyone else. The therapeutic process is grounded in this understanding and resports your inner wisdom.
Therapy is a team effort - both the therapist and the client share responisibily for the success of the process.
Active learning and applying new tools between sessions helps integrate change into daily life an dbuild lasting habits.
By the end of therapy, you're equipped with practical tools and the confidence to continue your journey independently.
Each course of therapy is tailored to you. If something you're facing isn't listed here, please still get in touch.
What it is: Constant and excessive worry about almost everything in life: work, school, family or health, even when there is no real reason.
How it feels: Mind is full of negative thoughts, difficulties relaxing, concentrating, easily tiring, suffering muscle tension or having sleeping problems.
Example: A person who consistently worries about failing exams, being sacked from work, a partner leaving them or something bad happening.
What it is: Intense fear of social situations or performing in front of others, mainly worried about embarrassment, rejection of humiliaiton by others.
How it feels: Heart races, sweating, difficulty speaking, avoiding eye contact, sometimes avoiding social events.
Example: A person who avoids social events or so nervous and tense about give a presentation, they postpone it.
What it is: Excessive worry about significant ilnesses that may lead to suffering or death.
How it feels: Checking the body repeatedly, endlessly searching for medical information, hard to calm down even after normal medical
Example: A person worries they have heart disease because of mild chest pain, goes to the doctor multiple times, but the worry returns.
What it is: Instrusive thoughts that repeat (obsessions) and repeated actions that reduce anxiety (compulsions).
How it feels: Hard to stop thoughts, feel compelled to perform rituals or checks repeatedly, disrupts daily life.
Example: A person washes their hands over and over because they fear germs, even when their hands are clean.
What it is: As intense feelings of fear or terror that appear without a clear reason and sometimes “out of the blue.”
How it feels: Rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, trembling, a feeling of losing control, or fear that something terrible is about to happen. Between attacks, there is often a constant fear of having another one.
Example: A person suddenly experiences a severe panic attack in a mall or on a bus, and since then is afraid to go to such places in case it happens again.
What it is: A strong and exaggerated fear of a specific object, animal, situation, or activity—even when it is not truly dangerous, the person feels intense threat.
How it feels: Immediate anxiety when exposed to the feared object or situation, a strong urge to avoid it, and sometimes physical reactions such as a rapid heartbeat or freezing.
Example: A person with a fear of dogs may cross the street or avoid leaving home to prevent encountering a dog, even if the dog is small and harmless.
Here are some common symptoms of low self-esteem which can affect school/work, friendships, and mood, but it can improve with support, practice, and time:
Negative self-talk: Often thinking “I’m not good enough” or “I always fail.”
Harsh self-criticism: Focusing on mistakes and ignoring strengths or successes.
Fear of failure: Avoiding challenges because of fear of doing badly.
Fear of judgment: Worrying a lot about what others think.
Difficulty accepting compliments: Dismissing praise or feeling undeserving.
Comparing yourself to others: Feeling worse after comparisons.
People-pleasing: Putting others’ needs first to gain approval.
Difficulty setting boundaries: Trouble saying no.
Low confidence in decisions: Doubting choices and needing constant reassurance.
Feeling unworthy: Believing you don’t deserve success, happiness, or respect.
Perfectionism: having high standards and rely on achievements to prove yourself worth.
What it is: Anxiety that appears after a traumatic event, like a serious accident, violence, or loss.
How it feels: Flashbacks, nightmares, constant fear, avoidance of places or things that remind them of the event, irritability, physical tension.
Example: A person who survived a car accident keeps reliving it in their mind, has trouble sleeping, and avoids driving.
In our first meeting, we’ll get to know each other. You’ll have the opportunity to share what brought you to therapy — and from that moment on, you’re no longer alone.
Together, we’ll define the goals you wish to achieve through the therapy process. We’ll explore the thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to your current challenges and uncover their underlying causes.
We’ll examine and practice more helpful alternatives to unproductive thoughts and behaviors. These exercises will support the development of new thinking and behavioral patterns, enabling growth and helping you overcome obstacles.
By the end of therapy, you’ll leave with new insights and a set of practical tools for continued self-care — empowering you to move forward with greater confidence and resilience.
UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND
TAVISTOCK AND PORTAMN NHS FOUNDATION TRUST, UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON.
TEL AVIIV UNIVERSITY, ISRAEL
I am fully insured and an accredited member of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP) which means my practice has been assessed and meets the BABCP higher standard.
"
Thanks you Limor. I feel free to be me. I have changed the voice in my head. I have learned so much about myself in such a shot time. Why did not I come to you 40 years ago. This is the best therapy I have ever had. Thank you so much. When I first approached Limor for therapy, I was at a very low ebb. All my life I have struggled with very low self esteem, resulting in lack of confidence, depression, hopelessness and general unworthiness. I had experienced many different types of therapy and seen many therapists before, but none had really addressed my issues. With Limor it was so different. She listened and understood very easily what I was experiencing. Instead of just letting me talk, she provided strategies and tools to give myself the new “inner voice” I needed so badly. After working with Limor for several weeks, I can honestly say I am a different person. I still get triggered by certain things, but now I can understand why and I know how to deal with them so I don’t go back to feeling wretched. I would recommend Limor to anyone who really wants to feel better and to take control of feelings of self dislike/unworthiness. The beginnings of a new way of seeing are what she gave me, and I will always be so glad I engaged with her. She is extremely professional and very personable always. Best thing I ever did!
"
Limor was excellent. She supported me and made sure we were making the best use of the time, suggesting strategies and directions to go in. She figured out the best way to help me, challenged me when I needed to be challenged and supported when I needed to be supported. I can feel such a difference in myself and I will always be grateful to Limor.
"
Overall I feel empowered to identify potential triggers and take appropriate action. I am a changed person.
"
Limor was great and helped me to find a method that helped with my loss of motivation, depression and suicidal thoughts.
"
Having this therapy has helped me so much. I've come a long way in multiple aspects of my life and I now feel so much happier and better in myself. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!
"
Limor was amazing and made me feel more confident and by her challenging my anxiety thoughts I realised what I was stressing about wasn`t that big of a deal as I was making it! The treatment I got was amazing!
"
Dear Limor, I hope that this message finds you well. Thank you for your time, and care.. You are a fantastic therapist that gives tools needed to heal. Inspired by you I changed my perspective and I see world more positive aspects! I hope I will be able to cope. For now take care and I wish you and yours all the best. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT. You are appreciated.
"
I can’t express how much I appreciate your kindness, professionalism, attitude; you have helped me to grow and strengthen and I do believe that the knowledge and skills I have learned from you will stay with me forever. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I wish you the very best.
"
Thank you so much Limor. You are an incredible person and amazing at what you do. I really thought I would be crippled by the way I felt forever but I feel so so much better in the short time we had - thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know I have a long way to go but I will always have you and some of your powerful words in my head as I go through life which always help. I will definitely be back in touch when the time is right (please God not in another crisis) Take care and thank you so much again.
"
Over the last few weeks I have reflected over the diagram you showed me and this has really opened my eyes. I am in a position now where I feel I have gained so much from our sessions I would like this to stop so I can try to continue on without support. The sessions we have had have been the best type of therapy I've had over the last few years. I would like to thank you for your support.
"
I really liked Limor. She was kind, friendly and open, every meeting had an agenda set, I learnt new skills and put them in action. I think I was as open to trying to master my OCD as I could be and I felt supported and encouraged. I've kept all of the documentations shared with me to be able to use them as and when I might need. I would definitely like to thank you for positive, helpful and encouraging attitude.
"
It has been life changing and insightful process. I have learned that I am capable to deal with everything even if it is distressing and uncomfortable. Limor is the best CBT ever, I feel like this is a start of a happier life for myself, it been a massive transformation. I have been blown away of how you have adapted to my needs and situations, I will always remember you.
"
I feel that what we've covered together has made a meaningful difference in my day-to-day life. Over the past few weeks, I've been back and forth to the GP, had several blood tests, and even went through a smear test and I wasn't afraid at all. That's a huge shift for me, and I genuinely believe your support played a big part in helping me get there. Thank you so much for everything. These sessions have helped me more than I expected not just with my mindset around needles, but with how I approach challenges in general. I’m truly grateful
"
My treatment began at a difficult time in my life, I have been treated with anti-anxiety pills for several years, and after various psychological treatments. During the treatment for the first time, I understood the root from which all my thinking begins, the reason why I return to the cycle of depression and anxiety every time. In a gradual and appropriate way for me, every week we met not only to discuss things, but also to experiment with practical tasks that helped me a lot to move the wheel and get out of the cycle of depression. After a process of several months, I have reached a complete and correct place for me, I had an adapted a new routine and felt wonderful.I know that life is dynamic and depression comes at times, yet I am confident that with the new tools I have been given I will be able to cope with what is coming. I thank Limor for her professionalism, dedication, sensitivity and caring treatment that has changed my life for the better, and recommend it to anyone who feels the need for it.
"
It took me quite a while to be able to grasp my gratitude in words. I hope this reference even comes close to the feelings and experience I have experienced during our sessions. I wish you all the best in your way helping people finding their lioness in them. I'm sure any client/patient of yours will experience great profit in being in your hands. When I met Limor at our first session I did not believe that such a short term therapy can change my life in such a profound way. Limor has helped me deal with my anxiety and take my life in to my own hands. Through very clear elements and active exercises I have learned to reflect my behavioural patterns and take responsibility for how I am creating my reality. As a client I felt that I was in the hands of a Therapist with high professionalism, clarity, Engagement, reliability and integrity. Nonetheless from my experience I can say that the results of this therapy are sustainable. I have great gratitude for the process with Limor that has literally changed my life. I am proud of the person I have become; I can now function in social interactions and experience close to zero panic attacks.
"
Update from a client 2 months after treatment ended:
Good morning Limor, hope this email finds you well? I miss our sessions. I wanted to update you about my situation. The past two weeks have been crazy and testing me, but with a lot of you talking in my head getting me through it all worked. Life’s still a work in progress. Without you I wouldn’t be here enjoying it. I now take aqua classes, I was brave enough to put that swimming costume on and be around complete strangers. I have found something I enjoy Limor I get great pleasure from swimming and being in the pool. I didn’t realise that I could swim like I can. I have become a lot stronger within AND I lost 1 stone which I’m really happy with. I have met some wonderful people over these past 2 months in classes and just speaking to humans. My cups filling up with trust. Take care
I offer a free consultation call to answer your questions and check your suitablity for CBT treatment. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how CBT works or to arrange an inital appointment.
I work out of a clinic in Hitchin town centre for in-person sessions but I also offer online sessions from where ever you are.
