About me

Welcome to my website. I’m Tanya (she/her), and I am an accredited counsellor and psychotherapist working in York and online. I am also a chartered (academic) psychologist and trauma-informed yoga teacher.

I started studying counselling and psychology in 2010, and qualified as a counsellor and psychotherapist in 2015. After that, I completed my Master’s degree, and then conducted my PhD research about women’s transitions to young adulthood after domestic abuse in childhood.

I am actively engaged in research. My research interests include intersectional approaches to violence, domestic abuse, trauma, social justice, and the treatment, conceptualisation and understandings of eating disorders. My approach to research and practice is informed by intersectional feminist psychology - that is, I am interested in our individual human experiences, and I understand that our individual experiences are shaped by identity, culture, history, power relations and systemic factors at play. I am a committee member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) Psychology of Women and Equalities Section, a member of the Intersectional Violences Research Group, and a member of the Lived Experiences of Eating Disorders Research Collective. If you would like to find out more about my research and publications you can find out here.

When I’m not working, I can usually be found on my yoga mat, spending time with loved ones and my cat, out hiking or walking, travelling, or curled up with a good coffee and a book.

Below, you can find out about my training, qualifications, and ongoing professional development.

If you would like to discuss consultation, workshops, or trainings for your practice or your organisation, please do email me.

Qualifications and Training

I am accredited by the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and I am a Chartered Psychologist registered with the BPS (British Psychological Society).

Qualifications

  • PhD (University of Stirling)

  • MSc by Research in Psychological and Social Sciences (York St John University)

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (York St John University)

  • BA (Hons) in Psychology and Counselling Studies (York St John University)

Selected trainings

  • Supporting autistic adults (BPS)

  • Psychological work and autism (BPS)

  • Supporting psychological trauma through domestic abuse (BPS)

  • Neurodiversity and EMDR (EMDR Association)

  • Advanced Clinical Skills in Compassion Focused Therapy (The Compassionate Mind Foundation)

  • Compassion Focused Therapy for Physical Health Problems (The Compassionate Mind Foundation)

  • An Introduction to the Theory & Practice of Compassion Focused Therapy (The Compassionate Mind Foundation)

  • Working with Trans and Gender Diverse Clients (Chris Grant, BACP CPD)

  • Introduction to Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)

  • Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Parts 1-3

  • Yoga Therapy Skills for Psychologists and Therapists (The Minded Institute)

  • Eat Breathe Thrive Module One: A yoga-based approach to mindful eating, emotional resilience and positive embodiment

  • Working with relational and developmental trauma (Dr Karen Treisman)

Professional memberships

  • British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

  • British Psychological Society (BPS)

  • EMDR Association UK

  • I am on the Professional Standards Authority Accredited Register for Health and Social Care

Well it’s been a minute since I posted. Three months in fact. I sometimes wonder what I have to offer here that is of any substance in the IG psychotherapy/counselling space. It isn’t about questioning my worth, voice or confidence&hell
On taking different routes. Sometimes sameness and familiarity are exactly what we need. We know that activated and alerted nervous systems like to know what is happening next, and what to expect. At the same time, sometimes the beauty, wonder and
And a new publication to end the month on. Always curious to hear thoughts and have more conversations as I see writing and thinking through these things as a dialogical and evolving process. I originally wrote this paper a couple of years ago and I
Almost the end of January - as we approach the end of the month I’m sharing a photo that was taken on the first day of the year. With not a lot to say, but just a ‘hello’. Sometimes I find I want to share lots of thoughts, reflectio
So pleased to share a chapter written by Grace (@g_mc_carter ) and I in newly published book ‘Children and Adolescent’s Experiences of Violence and Abuse at Home’. In the chapter we discuss our experiences doing research with childr
Just a hello from over here. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, there is no denying that for many people at least here in the UK things can feel a little different at this time of the year. Especially these Christmas to new year days. I feel l
About the sky on Saturday evening…. And a Monday evening musing on existential reckonings. On Saturday, I took a trip to the coast with one main agenda - to see the sunset. I didn’t know it’d be quite as beautiful as this, and I&r
There is something full-body immersive about being outdoors in the cold, surrounded by so much beauty that really there’s not much else to focus on apart from the in-the-moment experience. I write this knowing that in this current climate, the
A slow way of easing into December. So slow in fact that I hadn’t realised we are already one week into December. Only realising this about an hour ago when I looked at the date and I realised it is my cat’s fourth birthday!! (the tuna ca
New publication day! Pleased to share this new paper where we draw on feminist values and narrative theory to reflect on the practices, processes and ethics of using participatory research methods with people who are highly likely to be considered
Five days in Scotland and a few days writing - safe to say it’s been a good week or so. Seeing people I love, being around beautiful nature, and having the gift of a lot of time and space to just exist. To be rather than only prioritising the &
Hello, September. And a note on being where you are, being in change, and grief and gratitude. A little late in the game here but I am welcoming September. Welcome, autumn, too. I usually crave summer warmth and almost grieve the loss of that war