Renata Harris

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Pronoun: she
Psychologist, Psychotherapist, HCPC, UKCP, ACAT, MSC
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on Harpenden AL5 & St. Albans AL4
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Hello, my name is Renata. I have been a Psychologist and Psychotherapist for over 17 years, and have had extensive personal therapy myself. I offer a compassionate, safe and supportive space for you to talk and share your experiences, concerns and hopes for a better life. 

I was a Psychology Lead in the Hertfordshire NHS specialist eating disorders service for over 10 years and I supervised a substantial number of different professionals from multi-disciplinary backgrounds. Apart from eating disorders, I also support people who are facing issues such as EUPD, PTSD, trauma, addictions, GAD, OCD, depression, relational issues, self-esteem issues, family issues, stress, anxiety, low mood, anger problems, illness, life changes, bereavement, abuse, and many other mental health problems. I am also familiar in working with people who are neurodivergent, such as those with ASD or ADHD. In addition to ADHD CBT therapy, I offer diagnostic ADHD assessments with full report.

I offer both short and long term therapy and am trained in a variety of evidence-based (NICE) and holistic approaches to tailor therapy to your own unique needs. In my practice I aim to empower you to build a better understanding of yourself as a person, and how you came to experience your difficulties so that you can develop better coping strategies, more self-compassion, better relationships and get your life back on track by learning to become your own therapist over time. Through an initial assessment and then subsequent therapy sessions, we will get to know each other and together will create an appropriate and effective way forward towards solutions, healing and a more fulfilling life. 

I appreciate and respect the courage and trust it takes to enter into therapy, and believe in offering a kind, accepting, collaborative and relational space in which you can feel heard, validated, safe, and much supported. I understand the importance of being able to trust in your therapist's expertise and in their professional and general life experience. 

I also offer skills-based DBT therapy groups informed by Cognitive Analytic Psychotherapy for people with eating disorders, addictions, emotional dysregulation problems, personality disorders, trauma and all kinds of other mental health problems. I have devised this holistic therapy myself drawing on multiple modes of therapy and my experience with clients, and trial runs have so far seen improvements amongst 100% of participants (NICE therapies normally have a 50% improvement rate).

Training, qualifications & experience

Training & Qualifications: 

  • UKCP accredited Inter-Regional Residential ACAT Psychotherapy Degree-June 2019. CAT Psychotherapist
  • Post Graduate Diploma In Cognitive Analytic Therapy-Sheffield Hallam University-April 2017. CAT Practitioner
  • Postgraduate Diploma in the Practice of Counselling Psychology-Roehampton University, June 2007. Chartered Counselling Psychologist
  • Master of Science Degree in Counselling Psychology-University of Roehampton, July 2006
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology-University of East London, 2000

Specialist psychological therapy modalities/eating disorder relevant training courses:

  •  2009 Royal College Of Psychiatrists/ Eating Disorder (ED) section: Mentalization based therapy (MBT) course for working with EUPD
  •  24.09.2010 Multi-family approach to eating disorders training
  •  09.03.2011 Reflective course on Recovery Model
  •  23. 06-05.07 2011 Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) adapted to eating disorders
  •  14-21.11.2011 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for trauma
  •  24.04.2012 Difficult to engage clients in eating disorder services
  •  25.06-30.07.2013 CBT-T training with Glenn Waller for high weight Anorexia Nervosa
  •  2015 CBT-ED Online training and series of workshops with Christopher Fairburn
  •  2015 MANTRA series of workshops with the Maudsley Centre
  •  04.2015 RO-DBT course for Anorexia Nervosa with Tom Lynch
  •  2016 SSCM for eating disorders online training course
  •  05.2019 Eating disorders and complex co morbidities training (EUPD, ASD and diabulimia)
  •  22-24.11.2019 Incorporating body work into eating disorders
  •  25.04.2020 Rewind training for PTSD
  •  2021 Online Schema focused therapy training adapted to eating disorders
     09.2023 Trauma Psychology Training: Child and Adult Accelerated Trauma Therapy (CATT) for complex PTSD

Additional Courses: 

  • 1. 2009-06.2010 Good Practice in supervision training: supervision theory and skills
  •  06.09.2010 Fair access to care
  •  2022 The Mental Health Act
  •  2022 The Care Act
  •  28.12.2023 Safeguarding Children
  •  28.12.2023 Safeguarding Adults
  •  2023 Equality, Diversity and Human Rights
  •  2023 Data Security Awareness
  •  2023 Clinical Supervision training
  •  2023 Recruitment and selection
  •  2023 Eating disorders and suicide training
  •  2023 preventing suicide
  •  2023 Patient Safety
  •  2023 The Oliver McGowan Training
  •  2024 Management Fundamentals

Experience: 

Over the 17 years, both in the NHS and within the voluntary and private sectors, I have gathered experience, expertise, proficiency and efficacy in NICE therapies, as well as MANTRA, CBT-ED, CBT-T, SSCM, GSH, CAT, DBT, systemic, psychodynamic, schema focused, gestalt, integrative, and trauma focused modalities such as CAT, and CATT for PTSD and complex PTSD. I have had substantial experience of working with a range of client groups across the whole life span, and within the context of brief, time limited and long-term therapy provision. I care-coordinated, jointly worked with and advised on the management of the most complex caseloads of patients, who presented with multiple mental health diagnoses, long standing eating disorders, and high medical and psychiatric risk. 

I am highly skilled in complex and specialist psychological assessment, formulation, and treatment planning. I have liaised with both GPs and other professionals from all sorts of mental health and social care services. I have extensive experience in recruitment of mental health professionals, supervision, and professional management of psychological staff as well as research and publications. 

Member organisations

school Registered / Accredited

Registered / Accredited

Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.

HCPC
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.

They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.

Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.

UKCP
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.

As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.

UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Accredited register membership

UK Council for Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

UK Council for Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£140.00 per session

Health Insurance/EAP

  • check_circle BUPA
  • check_circle Axa Health

Additional information

My fee for a comprehensive  ADHD diagnostic assessment with report is £ 2000. 

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I work from 8 am till 9pm Monday to Thursday. 

Further information

I work four days a week, Monday to Thursday from 8 am till 9 pm. My practice is on the ground floor. 

Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5

St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Groups

Key details

DBS check info

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Wheelchair user access info
Wheelchair user access

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You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Additional languages

Polish

Online platforms

Microsoft Teams
Whatsapp
Zoom

Supervision

In person
Online
Phone

I am a BPS trained supervisor since 2010, mainly from NHS background, offering integrative, CAT and CBT supervision individually and in groups.

View supervision profile