Welcome

I am Cigdem, a UKCP registered psychotherapist supporting individuals and couples to build a healthier relationship with themselves and others.

My Experience
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Psychotherapy and Counselling in Braintree and Colchester

Your Unique Therapy Journey

Sometimes life gets hard, and we may find ourselves grappling with complex emotions. We might doubt ourselves and our choices or carry a sense of ‘not getting things right’ or ‘not being enough.’ We may feel confused, anxious, or caught up in roles or self-limiting patterns, losing sight of who we truly are.

Each of us is unique, with our own unique life stories. The way we see ourselves and the world is shaped by our experiences, relationships, and the narratives we carry within.

Together, we will explore different aspects of your life with a fresh perspective, uncovering the roots of what’s been troubling you. I will support you to reconnect with yourself and what truly matters to you, so you can take steps toward the life you want – one where your story feels more flexible, open, and aligned with who you are.

My Approach
My Services & Fees
Therapy with Me

How I Can Support You

In individual therapy, I work with people experiencing heightened anxiety, low self-worth, and low mood, supporting them in becoming more grounded, self-accepting, and more at ease within themselves.

In couples therapy, I work with couples through relationship challenges, including high conflict, communication difficulties, and affairs, helping them build mutual understanding, healthier communication, trust, and harmony in their relationships.

My work with individuals and couples naturally complements each other, bringing depth and insight to both.

I also support clients with:

  • Life transitions (becoming a parent, changing jobs, retirement, relocation, children leaving home etc.) 
  • Stress management
  • Trust issues

I have a particular interest in attachment, relational trauma and neurodiversity.

Psychotherapy and Counselling in Braintree and Colchester | Support with Life transitions, Stress Management and Trust Issues.
Counselling and Psychotherapy in Braintree and Colchester | Supportive, Collaborative and Efficient Approach to Therapy

My Approach

I am passionate about psychological wellbeing. 

My approach is warm, respectful and rooted in the belief that meaningful change is possible for everyone. Sometimes, the beginning of change means learning to accept ourselves exactly where we are and take it from there.

My style is collaborative and focused on the here-and-now, while exploring past and present relational experiences, when relevant. 

My practice is underpinned by Transactional Analysis; a versatile, widely recognised and efficient approach to therapy that improves both individual and social well-being. It focuses on an in-depth understanding of ourselves and our relational patterns.  

“When we get the inside right, the outside will fall into place.”

Eckhart Tolle

Areas of Specialism

As a UKCP registered psychotherapist, I am equipped to work with a range of mental health challenges.

Here are my areas of specialism:

Manage Anxiety | Therapy for Anxiety | Braintree | Colchester | Online
Anxiety

Fear is a natural response to danger, while anxiety is the anticipation of it. We feel anxious when facing risks, such as a job interview or an exam, and it can help us stay focused. However, when anxiety becomes a constant emotion, it can become overwhelming. I support clients to manage their anxiety and learn to trust themselves. Managing anxiety involves experiencing safety. As we are ‘wired’ to feel safe through connection, therapy offers an excellent space to practice this. Part of this process involves becoming more aware of our thoughts and feelings and building a deeper connection with ourselves.

Therapy Maternal Mental Health | Braintree | Colchester | Online
Maternal Mental Health

Becoming a parent is a major life transition. There is often an expectation that parenting should be easy and intuitive, which can make it difficult for parents to reach out for help when they are struggling. This can leave parents feeling ‘not good enough’, which can further contribute to feelings of isolation.

Parenting can bring up unresolved issues from one’s own childhood or past. It is not uncommon to experience mental health issues during the perinatal and postnatal periods.Psychotherapy can help by providing a safe space where you can explore all your thoughts and feelings. This sometimes involves reflecting on your own childhood experiences and discovering some of the patterns that are holding you back in the present.  

If you would like to prioritise your well-being as a parent and explore how I may help you, please do not hesitate to reach out. 

Therapy to Improve Self-worth | Braintree | Colchester | Online
Self-worth

Our sense of self-worth is shaped by how we perceive ourselves internally. It is usually based on decisions we have made about ourselves – consciously or unconsciously. These decisions often stem from our childhood experiences, where we learned to adapt to our environment, sometimes at the cost of fully accepting all parts of ourselves. I help people become aware of their beliefs about themselves and, in doing so, make connections between past relational dynamics and who they are today. This awareness and curiosity, combined with a different relational experience and compassion, can create an opportunity to ‘unlearn’ the narratives we tell ourselves.

Low-mood and Depression Therapy | Braintree | Colchester | Online
Low-mood and Depression

Depression is often described as a persistent low mood that impacts on our lives, our daily functioning. When we have depression, we might find that we feel sad all the time (or most of the time), we may find that our sleep is disrupted or our appetite has changed. Talking things through helps us to become aware of our thoughts and process our feelings. Hearing our internal dialogue out with a skilled listener can be an invaluable experience. When we become aware of our experience and express it, we start integrating our thoughts and feelings. This and alongside other supporting activities can help alleviate the persistent low-mood.

Couples Therapy / Couples Counselling for Relationship Issues and Improving Relationships | Braintree | Colchester | Online
Relationships

Our relationships are unique, just as we are. They form an important part of our lives. As we build relationships in our own way, they also shape us – particularly our early relationships. When we experience difficulties in our close relationships, it can be extremely stressful, leaving us feeling confused, helpless, or lost. I support people in navigating differences without becoming disconnected or withdrawing. Through this process, we learn to approach these challenges with more curiosity and compassion.

Couples Therapy / Couples Counselling | Braintree | Colchester | Online
Couples Therapy

Couples therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on helping couples to resolve their conflicts, improve communication, and strengthen their relationships. Whether you are struggling with a specific issue or simply looking to improve your connection with your partner and create a happier, more fulfilling relationship, couples therapy can help. I take a compassionate and non-judgemental approach. In the initial consultation and the first session, we will discuss your goals for therapy and address any concerns you may have. If you are interested in learning more about couples therapy or wish to schedule an appointment, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

My Services

My practice hours:

Monday – Friday
09:30-15:30 and 18:00-20:30

Saturday
09:00-12:00

I offer a free 15-minute intro chat.

Counselling

In-person or Online (via Zoom)

Sessions are weekly and usually at the same time every week.

£60 per session

(50 minutes)

Psychotherapy

In-person or Online (via Zoom)

Sessions are weekly and usually at the same time every week.

£60 per session

(50 minutes)

Couples Therapy

In-person or Online (via Zoom)

Sessions are initially weekly, and fortnightly if/when appropriate.

£80 per session

(60 minutes)

If you are looking to fund sessions through your health insurance, I am recognised by AXA Health, AVIVA and BUPA.

Fees for third-party funded sessions may differ from my standard rates.

Start your therapy journey today

I understand that it may seem daunting to begin therapy and it may be hard to reach out. Whether you would like to get support for emotional health or personal growth, please feel free to contact me with any enquiries you may have or book an initial call using the link below.

Book an Initial Call

Blog

  • What isn’t talked about enough when it comes to people-pleasing

    What isn’t talked about enough when it comes to people-pleasing

    •

    Cigdem Berrett

    As the saying goes: ‘We don’t have to set ourselves on fire to keep others warm.’ So true, right? Yet some of us do this on a regular basis in the name of being ‘easy-going’, ‘low-maintenance’, or ‘helpful’. Where does people-pleasing come from? For some, this pattern comes from an underlying belief that connection…

  • On People-pleasing

    On People-pleasing

    •

    Cigdem Berrett

    What is people-pleasing? People-pleasing is not your character or your nature — it’s a strategy. It’s a learned behaviour that often develops as a way to stay safe and maintain connection. At some point, you might have learned that in order to be liked and accepted, you had to put others’ needs before your…

  • Moving Through Conflict

    Moving Through Conflict

    •

    Cigdem Berrett

    If you’re someone who doesn’t like conflict and would prefer to hide or run from it, you’re not alone. Many of us grew up in environments where conflict felt unsafe, unpredictable or pointless. If managing or moving through conflict in relationships was not modelled for us, avoiding it can feel like the safest option.…

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