About Erene

I am a qualified Integrative Psychotherapist, and also hold a qualification in Integrative Psychodynamic Counselling. I trained for six years to gain these qualifications, and have been seeing adult clients in a variety of services since 2010 to offer psychotherapy and counselling. I am a member of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

I work primarily from a trauma-informed and relational perspective, often using an embodied approach to talking therapy. I use psychodynamic, intersubjective, and attachment theory which I update in line with modern perspectives such as: trauma-informed approaches, anti-oppressive practice, and queer-affirmative theory. I am trained in the Re-Wind technique, which helps to alleviate the symptoms of trauma.

Working from an integrative perspective allows me to tailor my approach to each individual person. I am a pro-active participant in the work we do together. This is because I understand that when you are ready to start psychotherapy, you want to feel you are moving forward with the changes you want to make.

Experience in non-therapeutic roles within mental health support services greatly informs my work. It also maintains my awareness of the client's experience of mental health service provision and surrounding factors. Therefore, I understand the importance of respect, autonomy and kindness in delivering a therapeutic service.

I welcome enquiries from those who identify at any point on the gender spectrum (including men, women, non-binary, and transgender people), and those who reject it completely. I offer a LGBTQIA+ affirmative service, in addition to working in a way that welcomes persons from a diverse range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

I am able to assist with a wide range of personal difficulties around mental health and wellbeing, including: depression, anxiety, personal development, personal identity, relationships, and trauma. My specialist skills are in supporting people who have experienced sexual violence. I also offer therapeutic support for partners, family members, and friends of sexual abuse survivors. Linked to this is my work in supporting people who have experienced domestic violence (sexual, physical, and/or psychological abuse).

Much of my skills in this area were gained through the creation and management of two community-based third sector specialist psychotherapy services in Leeds for female-identifying people with severe and enduring mental health needs (offenders, and survivors of sexual violence).

I am available to work face-to-face or online. To fully see what I can offer you as a Psychotherapist, please take a look at the psychotherapy and counselling page.

Thus far I have several years of experience in writing, speaking, and delivering training about mental health, trauma, and sexual violence so that practitioners and the general public are more informed about these topics. I also offer consultancy for practitioners and organisations that are looking to create and deliver therapeutic services. For examples please see the bottom of this page, and my blog.

I believe the process of psychotherapy is about getting to know one's self more consciously both as an individual, and as someone that exists within relationships, groups and social structures. Knowing more about yourself can help to make choices about your life, and the important things in it. You can also make these choices with more confidence to better fulfil who you are as a person. It can also help you resolve past experiences that are stopping you from moving forward in your life.

For further information about my range of skills, and working experience please have a look at the boxes below, see the FAQs on counselling and psychotherapy, or contact me.

MSc Integrative Psychotherapy (Metanoia Institute)
Clinical Diploma in Integrative Psychodynamic Counselling (Metanoia Institute)
Certificate in Counselling Skills (Metanoia Institute)
Foundation Certificate in Gender, Sexuality, and Relationship Diversity Therapy (Pink Therapy: due to be completed 2022)

All trainings undertaken at the Metanoia Institute are validated by Middlesex University.

Member of UKCP (Humanistic & Integrative College)
Member of Metanoia Institute
Member of the Radical Therapist Network

Creating & Co-Ordinating Specialist Services Alongside Delivering Psychotherapy & Counselling:

Support After Rape & Sexual Violence Leeds (SARSVL)
Together Women Project Leeds

Psychotherapy and Counselling:

Barnsley Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Services (BSARCS)
The Tuke Centre, York
NHS Psychology & Psychotherapy Therapy Service Leeds
Women's Counselling & Therapy Service Leeds
University of Bradford Student Counselling Service
University of Leeds Student Counselling Centre
Metanoia Counselling and Psychotherapy Service

Observational Work & Clinical Team Support:

Clifton House Low Secure Forensic Service, Leeds & York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Intensive Community Services, Leeds & York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Crisis Assessment Service, Leeds & York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Project Management & Administration:

Complex Trauma Therapist's Network (CTTN)
Freedom from Torture Yorkshire & Humberside
Leeds Mind Wellbeing Service

I have experience in working with a wide range of difficulties, including:

Abuse (Emotional/Psychological, Physical, Sexual)
Relationships
Personal Self-Development and Self-Identity
Depression
Anxiety
Sexual Violence
Domestic Violence
Trauma
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Areas Specific to LGBTQ+ Persons