Therapist Profile

My Approach to Helping

Welcome to Transitions Therapy. My name is Teri and I am a British qualified humanistic therapist providing counseling and therapy to English-speaking expatriates. I lived in America for well over two decades, England for nearly 17 years and most recently moved my private practice from the United Kingdom to accompany my husband to the Netherlands. As an expatriate, I have a clear understanding of the difficulties one can experience when making an international move. As a mother, I have raised two daughters into lovely autonomous young women, both of which have graduated from the University of Cambridge in England. As a result of my education, training and life experiences, I have a solid understanding of the problems one may encounter within expatriation, relationships, family dynamics, foreign educational systems and the empty nest.

As a humanistic therapist, my philosophy is that human beings possess extensive resources within themselves and have the capacity to fulfil their potential. However, along life's journey, we may face obstacles, which can block our paths. During these times one may need help in finding ways of coping with their difficulties. As a therapist, my aim is to provide a space for the exploration of emotions, attitudes and behaviours at your own pace, in a safe, confidential and trusting environment, which facilitates increased self-awareness and empowerment.

Face-to-face sessions are available in the Tri-border region of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Telephone sessions are available and may be useful for anyone living outside the Tri-Border Region, stationed in a remote part of the world or experiencing difficulty leaving his or her home.

Expatriates such as students, international employees, humanitarian aid workers, Department of Defense employees, NATO employees and military personnel may find relocating to a new country a daunting experience. Culture shock, unforeseen circumstances, expectations, acclimatizing oneself to the new culture, career anxiety, alien registration and uncertainty, may prove to be more of a challenge then initially expected. Suddenly everyday tasks can become complicated and difficult to perform. This can cause a strain on relationships with others and one may develop feelings of isolation upon realizing their usual support networks are thousands of miles away.

Counselling and psychotherapy provide an opportunity to sit with someone who will be fully present for you. It is an oppertunity to be heard, understood, accepted and valued while sharing your intimate thoughts and feelings without being judged or criticised. Through the exploration of one's perceptions, individuals can begin to understand their experiencing and discover meaning for themselves. The therapeutic process is an opportunity for individuals to recognize that they have choices and those choices can effect change in their relationships and lives. My philosophy in essence, is to help people explore their difficulties, discover new insights and transition to a more resourceful way of living and being.

Even highly successful individuals may experience personal difficulties at sometime throughout their lives. These difficulties may be brought on by a conflict, trauma, bereavement or related to long-term stress. If you have been experiencing emotional or physical distress such as a lack of motivation, sleeplessness, anxiety or low mood, then talking therapy may be beneficial for you.

At Transitions Therapy the clients well being is of up-most importance. Whether accessing the service through a GP or Psychiatric referral, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) or you are a self-referring client, the process is very similar. An assessment is conducted at the initial session as a means of discovering whether psychotherapy or counselling would be beneficial for you at this time. Therapy may be helpful if you are in need of emotional support, or would like to develop new strategies for living more resourcefully.

Working through your difficulties and increasing your self-awareness could help you to create or re-establish an equilibrium and improve your overall emotional, psychological and mental well-being. Friends can be a valuable resource to us during difficult times throughout our lives. However, sharing our most intimate thoughts and feelings with a friend can sometimes be too complicated, as friends are not bound by confidentiality. Qualified professionals adhere to a code of ethics, maintain objectivity and do not have a vested interest in your decisions. Moreover, they provide a safe environment in which to build a trusting relationship and are mindful of maintaining the highest level of confidentiality available.

New information for holders of American health insurance policies. 'As of October 3rd, 2008, insurance companies must cover mental and physical illnesses equally, under a provision included in the so-called bailout legislation signed into law by President Bush (Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, H.R. 1424).' 'The new law expands parity to include deductibles, co-payments, out-of-pocket expenses, co-insurance, covered hospital stays, and covered out-patient visits.' (American Psychotherapy Association Newsletter, 15 October 2008).

Insurance providers from other countries, depending on your policy, may cover part or all of the cost of your sessions. Individuals experiencing substantial financial difficulties and who do not have private health coverage may be eligible for reduced fees.

More Info About My Practice

My professional experience includes working as a counsellor and psychotherapist with adults, adolescents and couples. I have worked in British schools, community counselling agencies, private practice and an employee assistance programme (EAP). I have experience working with a variety of clients suffering from various emotional and psychological problems including, but not limited to, relationship difficulties, depression, bereavement, bullying, post-traumatic stress, and suicidal ideation. I have worked with multi-cultural expatriate clients from a variety of backgrounds. I am honoured to have met so many interesting individuals and I continue to be humbled by their courageousness as they travel on a personal journey toward fulfilling their potential.

In addition to the qualifications listed above, I have completed workshops and professional trainings at numerous institutions including the Westminster Pastoral Foundation, (WPF London) and the University of Oxford. I continue to be active in professional development training and workshops. I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), Counselling Children and Young People (CCYP), the American Psychotherapy Association (APA), the American Counselling Association (ACA), the World Association of Psychotherapy and Counselling (WAPCEPC) and BAPCA. My affiliation with these professional associations affords me the opportunity to keep up to date with current research in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. Hence, I can continue to develop as a practitioner and become a more valuable resource for my clients.