My name’s Terri, I’m a relational integrative psychotherapist registered with the BACP.  I’m a warm and compassionate person, genuinely dedicated towards my clients, and have experience of working in mental health for over 15 years. I am qualified to work with adults, as well as children, young people and families. 

I understand that everyone experiences difficulties in life, sometimes our well of inner resources runs low, and our familiar ways of coping can become ineffective.  We can become stuck or overwhelmed, and perhaps feel lost and in search of a new direction.  With therapy, we can come to recognise why old patterns no longer serve us, begin to feel more resourced, and develop new ways to move forward. 

I recognise that seeking help can feel like unfamiliar territory for many people, and so coming to therapy especially for the first time might feel daunting.  I aim to create a supportive and non-judgemental environment through a safe, containing, and trusting relationship.  One in which you can feel safe to explore your thoughts, feelings, and deepen your understanding of yourself and your experiences. 

My therapeutic approach

As a relational therapist, understanding relationships and their dynamics is at the heart of my practice. While relationships can be fulfilling and offer us an opportunity for connection and love, they can also be incredibly complex, difficult to navigate and a deep source of pain.  I can help you explore childhood roots, and family history alongside your current relationships. I encourage reflection on the relationship you have with yourself and the potentially conflicting parts of yourself you may have; your relationship with the wider world, and how you feel about your place within it socio-culturally; and the relationship between us, in the ‘here and now’. 

My therapeutic approach is anchored in evidence based, and trauma informed practice.  This means that therapy will be steadily and safely paced, and we’ll focus on developing your inner resources to support you in therapy, and in other areas of your life. I draw upon a number of different therapeutic approaches for us to explore together, taking a ‘mind-body’ approach, working somatically (with body sensations), and integrating holistic interventions such as mindfulness and yoga, or creative expression through, art, music, nature, and movement.  Most importantly, we’ll work collaboratively, co-creating goals, regularly reviewing the direction of our therapy, and together we’ll find approaches that suit your needs.

Working with Children, Young People & Families

I also specialise in working with children, young people and families.  This can be on a one-to-one basis, or in parent-child therapy as I am trained in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) and Theraplay. These are trauma and attachment informed approaches developed to meet the needs of children and young people who have experienced adversity and interpersonal trauma.  DDP and Theraplay approaches are just as effective for non-traumatised children who may have difficulty in self-regulation (managing high arousal/ heightened emotional or physical states), developing and maintaining relationships with adults/children, and who show challenging behaviours.

DDP focuses on the central importance of healthy and supportive relationships, and aims to enable children to experience safety, security, increased trust, and to develop deeper emotional connections (and emotional processing) in the child-parent relationship.

This foundation enables safe processing of difficult memories, emotions and experiences.

 It enables new meanings about past experiences to develop and increases self-regulation (managing high arousal and distress). 

Theraplay is a play-based, child and family therapy for building and enhancing attachment, self-esteem, trust in others, and joyful engagement. It is based on the natural patterns of playful, healthy interaction between parent and child and is personal, physical, and fun. Theraplay focuses on strengthening your relationship with your child, enhancing your sense of connection and mutual understanding so that your child no longer needs to resort to problem behaviours. As the most important people in a child’s life, caregivers are actively involved in sessions 

Qualifications and Experience: 

I am a registered member of the British association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and a Graduate member of the British Psychological Society (GMBPSs)

I hold the following qualifications:
– Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Sheffield University.

– Master’s Degree in Sport, Exercise and Health Psychology from Loughborough University, which is ranked the number one university in the world for Sports Sciences.

– Post Graduate Diploma in Relational Integrative Psychotherapy from Leeds Beckett University.  

-Yoga and mindfulness teaching qualification. (YTT-200)

-Level 2 in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)

– Level 1 Theraplay, & Marshak Interaction Method (MIM)

– Group Theraplay, 

As well as working in private practice, I also work for a national not for profit children’s charity as a therapeutic practitioner providing systemic and direct therapeutic interventions for looked after children.  This involves working with foster families, special guardians, residential homes, and education and social care professionals.  I also provide trauma and attachment informed clinical consultation in therapeutic parenting, therapeutic group work, as well as training workshops. 

I have experience working with the following:

Depression

Anxiety

Anger

Trauma and dissociation

Trouble with self-care

Eating disorders

Self-esteem and self-confidence

Impacts of traumatic childhood

Impacts of growing up around addiction

Domestic violence

Sexual abuse/ sexual assault

CSE/CRE

Care experienced young people and adults

Foster carers/adoptive families

Sports players/Athletes

Loss and Grief

Loneliness

Miscarriage

Relationship difficulties

Work and study related stress

Working Together:
In our first session, we’ll explore what brings you to therapy and what you would like to achieve. We’ll consider a timeline for our therapy and discuss our therapeutic agreement.  This session will help us both consider if we’re a good ‘fit’ for each other.

I understand that therapy is a big commitment and finding a therapist that feels right for you is important. I am happy for us to have a 15-minute call (at no cost) ahead of you booking our first session to answer any queries you may have.

I work on Mondays (morning, afternoon, evening), Wednesday (evening), and Saturday (morning).  I offer face to face or online appointments.

Sessions last 50 minutes and I charge £60 per session