Theresa Babbs-Durrant

I provide both in-person and online sessions between Monday - Thursday. For those wishing to attend in person, I work in Windermere, Cumbria. 

I'm Theresa, an integrative counsellor specialising in trauma-informed therapy for adults. Whether you're struggling with complex trauma, anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties, I offer a safe, compassionate space where healing can happen at your own pace.

My work is rooted in a core belief: you are not broken, and healing is possible. Your symptoms - whether anxiety, hypervigilance, relationship struggles, or overwhelming emotions - are intelligent responses to experiences that once overwhelmed you. Together, we'll work to understand these responses, process what needs processing, and create new patterns that serve your life today.

I have dedicated training and experience in trauma therapy, with particular expertise in:

• Complex trauma and developmental trauma
• Childhood wounds and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
• Attachment wounds and relationship patterns

I also work with anxiety, depression, chronic stress, life transitions, identity exploration, and those seeking deeper self-understanding.

How I Work

I work integratively, which means I blend different therapeutic approaches to meet your specific needs rather than using a single method for everyone. Drawing from my training in CBT, Transactional Analysis, Person-Centred Therapy, Gestalt, somatic therapy, and trauma-focused approaches, I create a therapeutic space that feels right for you.

Who I Work With

I support adults experiencing trauma and its effects, including those struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, attachment wounds, chronic stress, or feeling stuck in unhelpful patterns. I also work with people navigating major life transitions, seeking personal growth, or simply wanting to understand themselves better.

Central to my work is a trauma-informed approach. This means:

• Safety is paramount - We create emotional and psychological safety before exploring difficult material
• You're in control - You decide what to discuss, how deep to go, and the pace of our work
• Your responses make sense - I view symptoms as adaptive survival responses, not flaws or weakness
• Body and mind integration - Trauma lives in the body as much as the mind, so I incorporate somatic techniques alongside talk therapy

The relationship heals - a safe, attuned therapeutic relationship is itself part of the healing process

Pacing and Safety

I work at your pace, always. Healing isn't linear - it happens in layers. Some sessions might feel challenging as we explore difficult territory; others might focus on building resources and strengthening your capacity for growth. We'll never rush, and you're always in control of what we address.

Confidentiality and Ethics

I adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework. Everything you share is strictly confidential, with rare exceptions related to safety (which I would discuss with you first whenever possible). I engage in regular clinical supervision to ensure I'm providing the highest quality care.

Practical Details

Sessions are typically 50 minutes for therapy, or 60 minutes for life coaching work. I offer both in-person sessions in South Lakes, Cumbria, and online sessions via secure video platform for clients across the UK.

No Pressure to Commit

Before booking your first session, I offer a free 20-minute consultation call. This brief conversation allows you to:

• Share what's on your mind
• Ask questions about my approach
• Discuss practical details (location, availability, fees)
• Get a sense of whether we might work well together

There's absolutely no obligation to continue beyond this first call. This time is as much for you to assess whether I'm the right therapist for you as it is for me to understand how I can best support you.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to meet, explore what's brought you to therapy, and determine if we're a good fit to work together. 

Structure of the First Session

The first session is typically more structured than ongoing sessions as we cover important practical elements:

• Contracting - We'll discuss session frequency, fees, cancellation policy, and how we'll work together
• Confidentiality - I'll explain what confidentiality means, its limits, and how your privacy is protected in line with BACP ethical guidelines
• Your story - You'll have space to share what's brought you to therapy and what you hope to achieve
• Assessment - I'll ask questions to understand your needs, any current risk factors, and which therapeutic approaches might serve you best
• Questions - You'll have time to ask anything about my approach, or the therapeutic process
• Next steps - We'll discuss whether ongoing therapy feels right and, if so, agree on a plan moving forward

Single Session Therapy

For those opting for single session therapy, I provide a brief pre-counselling preparation questionnaire to complete before our session. This helps ensure you get maximum benefit from our focused time together by clarifying:

• Your primary concern or goal for the session
• What outcome you're hoping for
• Any relevant background context
• Specific questions or areas you'd like to explore

This preparation allows us to use our 50 minutes as effectively as possible, focusing on what matters most to you.