Pictured: Dr Andrew Beck pictured addressing the closing ceremony at the BABCP conference in Manchester.
Dr Andrew Beck, a Clinical Psychologist at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, has been elected President of the British Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapists (BABCP).
The BABCP is the lead organisation for Cognitive Behaviour Therapists in the UK, representing 12,000 members nationally. The organisation is the lead advocate for the national development of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and lead organisation for accrediting therapists who work using the therapy.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, is a type of talking therapy used to treat anxiety and depression, as well as other mental and physical health problems. CBT aims to break down overwhelming problems, thoughts and feelings in to smaller parts, to make them easier to manage.
Dr Beck currently works within the East Lancashire Child and Adolescent Service (ELCAS) based at Burnley General Teaching Hospital, which provides specialist mental health care for young people across East Lancashire. He has been a member of the BABCP for many years, and will be President-Elect until July 2020, when he will begin the two year post as President.
“I am delighted to be taking up this position within the BABCP”, said Dr Beck. “I hope to ensure that CBT and other evidence-based treatments are available to all communities and to continue the work of the current President who has shaped the organisation to assure that it meets the needs of members and represents this approach to therapy.”
Taking up this role also enables Andrew to continue to promote his recent work developing a national framework for the NHS, providing the best possible mental health care to BAME communities. The work has resulted in the production of a guidance document, the IAPT BAME Positive Practice Guide, available on the BABCP website.
The news of Dr Beck’s election follows the ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating achieved by the ELCAS service earlier this year. Staff were praised for receiving highly positive feedback from patients and relatives, encouraging innovation to improve patient care, and their strong external work with partners.
Jo Weller, ELCAS Head of Service and Clinical Director, said: “We are really proud that Dr Beck has been elected in to this role – it is fantastic news for him, but also for the service.
“ELCAS has been recognised by the CQC for good practice in supporting staff training and development, and we know the value of staff contributing to the development of mental health services nationally. As the President of the BABCP, Dr Beck has the opportunity to make a real difference, building on his experiences of good practice within our service.”