World Mental Health Day - University Centre South Devon graduate offers trauma therapy to front line service personnel

Tee Sliwinska, who has recently graduated from the University Centre South Devon with a BSc (Hons) in Social and Therapeutic Interventions says having counselling changed her life.

 The former student strongly believes counselling has the potential to change lives and now has her own private practice to offer trauma therapy to front line service personnel.

“I want to take the opportunity to support other individuals with their emotional needs, psycho-educate* people, and empower them to put them back in charge of their own lives,” she explained, on World Mental Health Day.

“Being a therapist was my childhood dream. I was always drawn to the ‘why’ behind people’s actions and behaviours, and I wanted to turn that into a profession where it can help people,” she said.

Tee’s educational journey began with the Level 2 and Level 3 counselling courses at South Devon College before going on to the FdSc Psychology and Counselling Skills course and then the BSc (Hons) in Social and Therapeutic Interventions at the University Centre.   

Throughout her studies Tee faced some challenges but said it was hugely satisfying and totally worth it.

“Higher education is a big step for anyone. I dealt with challenges as they came, speaking to the tutor and other classmates helped me a lot, we shared our experiences and just dealt with it step by step. There was always extra support if I needed it.”

Now she has graduated Tee has her own integrative counselling practice focusing on providing highly subsidised, deep trauma therapy for frontline workers.

“My dissertation focused on mental health within UK policing and the trauma therapy I will be offering will start with the police force. It’s called Mindest - it’s all about a higher state of mind, an elevated way of thinking that inspires meaningful change,” said Tee.

Part of Tee’s offering will be Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), which involves recalling a traumatic incident in detail while making eye movements, usually by following the movement of a therapist’s finger. Other methods may include the therapist tapping their finger or playing sounds.

“EMDR is one of the best, scientifically backed therapeutic interventions for dealing with trauma,” Tee continued. “While working on my dissertation, I spoke with police officers from across the UK, including crime scene investigators, firearms officers, specialist units, detectives and first responders, about the trauma they face daily.

“Hearing heartbreaking stories of pressure, adversity, resilience, and the impact of being strong for too long made me realise how badly specialist care is needed. I want to provide that without the heavy financial cost, as EMDR is expensive, and Mindest is my response to that.”

Tee has ambitious plans: “I want to work hard to expand the brand, bring in a constantly growing team of great therapists, and eventually take it nationwide.”

*Psychoeducation is when therapists teach their clients and their families about the mental illness, they have so that they can better understand why they are feeling the way they are.