About Me

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My Kind of Therapy

When you’re looking for a therapist, you want to be able to connect with someone who will really listen to you, accept you without judgments, appreciate your uniqueness, relate with you supportively, and be able to help you define and meet your personal goals. This is about you – your time and space to explore, to understand, to learn, to feel cared about, and to make the kinds of changes you want to make.

I have been involved in the counselling and psychotherapy profession for almost 10 years.  This page will give you more information about my qualifications, accreditations and experience of helping others achieve their maximum potential.

Accreditations, Qualifications & Training

Click on each title to see a copy of the certificate.

• Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist – British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
• Registered Independent Counsellor & Psychotherapist – United Kingdom Register of Counsellors & Psychotherapists (UKRCP)
• Accredited Sexual Minority (LGBT) Therapist – Pink Therapy
• MSc Counselling & Therapeutic Communication – University of Ulster, 2009
• BTEC Professional Certificate in Cognitive Therapy Methods - NICTT, 2009
• “Essentials” Certificate in Sexual Minority Therapy – Pink Therapy, 2008
• Level II Certificate in Motivational Interviewing – Oi Willo, 2008
• Certificate in Gestalt Therapy - North East Institute of Further & Higher Education, 2007
• Advanced Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling - Queen’s University, 2007
• Diploma in Counselling - Queen’s University Belfast, 2005
• BSc (Hons) Psychology - Queen’s University Belfast, 2004
• Certificate in Counselling - Queen’s University Belfast, 2003

My Approach / How I practice

My approach to individual therapy  is about healing, self understanding and personal growth.  People sometimes want to know what kind of therapuetic models and techniques I employ in my practice.  I use a a colloborative and interactive approach in the therapy room, drawing on a variety of methodologies and techniques to incoporate what is most helpful for each individual person. These include:

• Person-Centred Therapy
• Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy
• Transpersonal Psychology
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• Motivational Interviewing
• Solution-Focused Therapy
• Mindfulness
• Communication skills and other skill-building, self-help, and personal growth strategies

Together, we work to develop your strengths and achieve your life goals.

As a therapist, I also work with gender and sexual minorities and adopt a (gay-)affirmative psychotherapeutic approach in my work that incorporates modern understandings of human sexuality.

I adhere to BACP’s Code of Ethics for Counselling & Psychotherapy, placing a strong emphasis on the ethical principles of Fidelity: honouring the trust placed in the practitioner; Autonomy: respect for the client’s right to be self-governing; Beneficence: a commitment to promoting the client’s well-being; Non-maleficence: a commitment to avoiding harm to the client; Justice: the fair and impartial treatment of all clients and the provision of adequate services; and, Self-respect: fostering the practitioner’s self-knowledge and care for self.

Therapy is not about trying to cure or fix you. It is not about telling you what you should or shouldn’t do.  It is not about focusing on your problems.  Rather, it is about identifying the changes you want to bring about in your life, and helping you to take action to maximise your potential.

Quality Assurance

How can you be sure that my practice is professional, ethical, effective, and accountable?

Clinical Supervision: As an accredited therapist by BACP, I am required to attend indepdent, external supervision on a monthly basis.  My supervisor is a highly experienced practitioner who oversees my work and holds its ethical boundaries. Details of my supervision arrangements are available on request.

On-Going Continuous Professional Development (CPD): BACP also require me to undertake annual CPD to update my skills and knowledge, reflect on my practice, and enhance my personal and professional competence. This is usually acheived by attending workshops and short training courses, or engaging in my own personal therapy.

Psychometrics & Standardised Measures: I have experience of using “Outcome Measures”, sometimes referred to as psychometrics/standardised measures. An outcome measure is a measure of change, the difference from one point in time (before you begin therapy) to another point in time (when therapy ends).  This means that we can measure if change has occured, and if so, by how much.

Regular Reviews: As well as using visual standardised measures, I regularly undertake progress reviews (usually after every 6th session) with clients to ensure that they are getting the most out of therapy.

Client Feedback: I ask everyone I work with to provide feedback on the service they have received.  A sample of the feedback is available by clicking here.

Insurance & Background/Police Checks

I am insured to practice as a counsellor/psychotherapist by Towergate Professional Risks.  Moreover, I undertake an annual ACCESS NI Check completed by the PSNI/Social Services to instill confidence in my clients of my ability to work safely with children, young people and vulnerable adults.  Orginial copies of the Disclosure Certificates are available on request.

Am I the right therapist for you?

I’m not going to be the right therapist for everyone. I offer a FREE, 15 minute, introductory telephone session to help you decide if I am the right therapist for you.  To book an appointment, please call 07522 609 044 or email info@terrysergeant.com.  If you have already decided that I am not the right therapist for you, I will be happy to provide you with the names and contact details of other therapists whose work I know personally.