About John Roberts
The Worry Man
John has nearly thirty years experience working with Children's habits and worries. He spent the first 15 years of his career working in a child and adolescent National Health Service Tier 3 CAMHS unit before moving to Plymouth University to teach CBT Therapists under the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies initiative. He has been living and working overseas since 2016 working with the Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates teaching and training Social Workers at a Federal University, and developing as a Consultant, Child Protection Services. He is now living and working in the UK.
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John has maintained a keen interest in working with children who have worries that cause them to do habits (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) or plainly and simply the 'overanxious' child (Generalised Anxiety Disorder). He also is interested in working with children who are neuro-diverse - Tics and habits, Autism and Aspergers Syndrome.
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Taking a child friendly, practical and down to earth approach, John as the "Worry Man" uses current developments in Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy to help young people break free of anxiety. He is also very comfortable working with adults who have similar problems.
John's Background and Professional Development Achievements
Here at The Worry Man, John provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help individuals with a wide range of problems. John's qualifications include a Master of Arts in Social Work from 1997, a Diploma in Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy from 2001-2002, a Post Graduate Certificate in Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy from 2005 to 2006, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning from 2010-2011.
He believes that everyone has the power and potential to make positive changes in their lives, and his goal is to help them unlock that potential and take control of their life. With his help, you can address and manage problems in an effective and comfortable way.
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Publications and Conferences
Various self-help manuals/articles to the Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust 2006-9.
Motivational Interviewing for Children and Young People with Insulin Dependent Diabetes (2014) in McNamara, E (ed). Motivational Interviewing with Children and Young People: Issues and Further Applications. Positive Behaviour Management, Liverpool.
SP-SR enhances Psychiatric Nurse Relationship Skills Training (2019) in European Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry June 2019. P349-359
Six of One, Half a Dozen of the Other? Can we successfully incorporate Motivational Interviewing Techniques for Weight Loss Problems in Bi-Polar II and Address Associated Impulse Control Difficulties and Mood Problems from a Trans-diagnostic CBT Approach? Journal of Obesity and Eating Disorders. ISSN: 2471-8203; volume 6: Issue 3. 6. DOI: 10.36648/2471-8203.6.3.100050
“Don’t Tell Them What to Do! Collaborate!” Motivational Interviewing, Engagement with Children and Adolescents”. Bariatric Conference 2018, Dubai
“A Single Case Formulation and Treatment Paradigm using a Time Series Latent Variable Multivariate Analysis System for Bulimia Nervosa, Impulse Control Disorder and Diabetes Mellitus T2” Bariatric Conference 2018, Dubai.
“Resistance is Futile: It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. Engaging Hard to Reach Young People with Substance and Alcohol Misuse Difficulties in the UAE” 9th International Conference on Addiction and Psychiatry, Dubai. 2018
Student Procrastination: A Formulatory Approach: Ministry of Education Conference, Abu Dhabi January 2019
ADHD: A Developmental Disorder of Self Control? Ministry of Education Conference, Abu Dhabi January 2020
It’s not all in the Mind dear Physician: Medically Unexplained Symptoms and Persistent Physical Pain. Keynote address Health International Conference on Innovations and Entrepreneurship in Healthcare - 2020 Advances in Science and Engineering Technology (ASET) International Conferences. HCT, Abu Dhabi.
A Single Case Cognitive and Behavioural Assessment, Formulation and Treatment of Workaholism using Shafran’s (2002) and Bamber’s (2008) Cognitive Model of Perfectionism and Occupational Stress. ACP/ACERP, Tokyo 2020.
What’s in a name? Managing Persistent Physical Symptoms in a COVID context: Evidence Based Practice Ministry of Education Conference, Abu Dhabi December 2020.
Ready for the Future: Expert Panel Symposia Ministry of Education Conference, Abu Dhabi December 2020.
Long Covid – current developments and practice for Health and Education Professionals, 1st International Conference on Emotional Intelligence, Happiness, and Wellbeing in Higher Education. Abu Dhabi February 2020.
Self-Practice and Self-Reflection aid Student Social Worker development: A Qualitative Analysis. Competency Based Education Conference, Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai, January 2023
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Clinical Specialisms: Common Mental Health and Behavioural Problems in Children and Adolescents and their Families, Workplace Stress and Wellbeing, Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Chronic Conditions. Common Mental Health Problems in Adults and Children, especially Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Giles de la Tourette’s Syndrome, Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS).
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