About Erene

As an Integrative Psychotherapist I offer weekly appointments to support people to make changes through talking therapy. I also offer supervision as a trainee Supervisor. My approach is collaborative, pro-active, and focused on making changes with you.
I understand the importance of respect, autonomy, empowerment, and kindness in working with people. Accessing mental health support is rarely straightforward, so I bear this in mind as needed when working with you.
You are welcome to access my services however you identify. This includes members of the LGBT+ community, and people of any cultural and ethnic heritages. My role includes acting as an ally, using a non-judgemental and non-pathologising viewpoint to understand your sense of self, lived experiences, and mental health.
Since 2010 my working experience includes: delivering one-to-one psychotherapy and counselling in a variety of settings (online and in-person), setting up and co-ordinating therapeutic services, and offering community-based support for people who find it difficult to access mental health services.
Areas I can support you with include: understanding and managing emotions, depression, anxiety, personal development, personal identity, relationships, and trauma. My professional focus is with people of any gender who have experienced sexual violence, including those who are navigating the criminal justice system.
Outside of appointments I am an author, speaker, and activist. I believe in taking up my social responsibility as a Psychotherapist to push for collective change on issues that affect our communities, along with taking action as an individual.
Further information on all of these areas are at the bottom of this page. To attend events and training I’m involved in, click here.
I use a range of theories to work with a diverse range of people. Primarily these are: psychodynamic, attachment, and intersubjectivity theory. We can explore how your past affects your present including how specific life events may have influenced you.
This is supported by: trauma-informed, embodied, intersectional, anti-oppressive, and queer-supportive perspectives. All of these provide a context by which to understand individuals within social structures, including how everyday life can be difficult – which affects our mental health.
All of this is delivered within a relational perspective, meaning that we can consider the relationship you have with different facets of your identity/sense of self and lived experiences. This can extend to how you experience and manage relationships with other people.
I am a member of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the Metanoia Institute. I am affiliated with Therapists Against Conversion Therapy and Transphobia (TACTT).
Conversion therapy is not a part of my services. I align with the multi-organisational stance provided in the ‘Memorandum of Understanding on Conversion Therapy in the UK’. This states that any practices intended to change ones’ sexuality and/or gender are unethical and cause harm. Research to evidence this is available here.
As part of being an LGBTQ+ supportive practitioner, I am also an Advanced Accredited Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversities Therapist (Pink Therapy).
If you have questions, you can view the FAQs page here or contact me.
- MSc Integrative Psychotherapy (Metanoia Institute)
- Clinical Diploma in Integrative Psychodynamic Counselling (Metanoia Institute)
- Certificate in Counselling Skills (Metanoia Institute)
- Diploma in Gender, Sexuality, and Relationship Diversity Therapy (Pink Therapy)
- Clinical Supervision Diploma - to be completed in 2024 (Scarborough Counselling & Psychotherapy Training Institute)
All trainings undertaken at the Metanoia Institute are validated by Middlesex University.
- Member of United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (Humanistic & Integrative College)
- Member of Metanoia Institute
- Therapist Against Conversion Therapy and Transphobia (TACTT) - Affiliation
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
- Crown Prosecution Service Guidelines on 'Pre-Trial Therapy' (having an active report, investigation, or trial in the criminal justice system whilst accessing therapy / managing legal requests for therapy notes)
Click for further information.
- Routledge: Working with Survivors of Sexual Violence - Inside and Outside the Room
- Visit my blog for discussions on psychotherapy, counselling, mental health, and a range of other topics.
- Glamour: Why the Influx of Support for Russell Brand is Incredibly Painful for Survivors of Rape and Sexual Assault.
- The Independent: Male Body Dysmorphia.
- The Guardian: I Think My Friend’s Husband is Emotionally Abusing Her.
- SAFPAC Conference: Presentation of 'Queer Minds, Queers Needs' article.
- Hadjiioannou, E. & Saadi, J-P. (2022) 'Queer Minds, Queer Needs'. European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling.
- UKCP: How To Be A Better Listener
- PESI - Psychotherapy Excellence: Pre-Trial Therapy, Understanding the Revised Guidelines
- Novara Media: I'm a Therapist, Not a Cop
- Transformations Journal: Pre-Trial Therapy in the UK - Survivors of Sexual & Domestic Violence
- Inspiring Women Changemakers: Perspectives on Intersectionality
- New Psychotherapist: Back to our Roots
- The Knot: What is a Stable Relationship? The Definition & Signs
- PESI - Psychotherapy Excellence: Sexual Violence Series
- Media Diversity Institute: The Double Edged Sword on Social Media and Rape Culture
- UKCP: Sexual Abuse Can Happen Anywhere
- Open Democracy/Transformation: Psychotherapy as Activism
- New Psychotherapist: Rising to the Challenge - Gender and Mental Health
- PESI - Psychotherapy Excellence: Enhancing Empowerment with Survivors of Sexual Violence
- Inspiring Women Changemakers: A Professional's Perspective on Domestic and Sexual Abuse: Survivor's Experiences of Reporting to the Police
- Blood + Milk: Seeking Psychotherapy as a Survivor of Sexual Violence
- Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service: Understanding Trauma
- UKCP & Psychologies Podcast: Overcoming Sexual Violence
- New Psychotherapist: Specialist Psychotherapy is Vital for Women with Complex Needs
Click for further information.
- It Can't Just Be Me - Ep. 4: Coming Out Later in Life?
- A Thorough Examination with Drs Chris and Xand - Learning to Listen
- Bye Bi Erasure: A Bi Visibility Day Conversation - Panel Speaker
- Pink Therapy Podcast - On Becoming a GSRD Therapist: Listen Here or Watch Here
- UKCP: My Psychotherapy Career - Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence
- Counselling Tutor Podcast: How to Identify Vicarious Trauma
- Counselling Tutor Podcast: Pre-Trial Therapy
- Queers & Co. Podcast: Psychotherapy as Activism
- Feel Better Leeds NHS Campaign: Trauma-Informed Stress Management
- Talk L & D Podcast: World Mental Health Day, Mental Health in the Workplace, and Covid-19
- Keep Real Podcast: Accessibility to Mental Health Support, Self-Care, and Covid-19
- BBC Radio Leeds: Pre-Trial Therapy
- UKCP & Psychologies Podcast: Overcoming Sexual Violence
- UKCP for International Women's Day 2018: Working with Women with Complex Needs
- BBC Radio Leeds Interview for the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women 2016
Click for further information.
- Galop: Pre-Trial Therapy with LGBTQ+ Survivors of Abuse.
- Against Violence & Abuse (AVA): Understanding and Demystifying Pre-Trial Therapy
- Metanoia Institute: Gender & Sexuality Day
- NESTT: Pre-Trial Therapy Training
- Against Violence & Abuse (AVA): Counselling Skills for Working with Survivors
- Confer: Sexual and Domestic Violence - Therapy and the Law
- Counselling Tutor CPD Library: Pre-Trial Therapy
- Counselling Tutor podcast: Vicarious Trauma – Impact and Management
- Let’s Talk Hull (NHS City Health Care Partnership): Pre-Trial Therapy
- Inspiring Women Changemakers: Book Launch
- Radical Therapist Network: Book Launch & Workshop
- NESTT: An Introduction to Pre-Trial Therapy
- Survive Yorkshire: Sexual and Domestic Violence
- UKCP Webinar: Working with Sexual & Domestic Violence Online in Lockdown
- York St. John University: Working with Sexual Violence from a Relational and Empowerment Perspective / Pre-Trial Therapy / Trauma and Sexual Violence (School of Psychological and Social Sciences)
- Temenos Sheffield: Pre-Trial Therapy 101, Working Outside of the Consulting Room
- Leeds Beckett University: Sexual Abuse (Psychological Therapies & Mental Health)
- Leeds Beckett University: Working with People with Mental Health Difficulties (Public Health Nutrition)
- University of Law: Responding to Students' Mental Health Disclosures
Click for further information.
- Conscious Being Magazine - Pre-Trial Therapy: Falling Through The Cracks
- PESI - Psychotherapy Excellence: Pre-Trial Therapy, A Crucial Moment
- Inspiring Women Changemakers - Challenging Pre-Trial Therapy Guidelines
- Against Violence & Abuse (AVA) - Community of Practice for Women with Multiple Disadvantages
Click for further information.
- Evaluator at Humans Being
- Mental Wellbeing Workshop at Canned Heat
- Finding Your Identity Amongst Trauma (closed Zoom workshops)
- Guest speaker at Leeds Reclaim the Night rally at Leeds Beckett University
- Support for Survivors Workshop Series: Female-Identifying Survivors of Sexual Abuse
- Crossland Wellbeing: Guest Speaker on 'The Impact of Trauma'