Tash Tattersall

Hello, I’m Tash.

I offer a calm, supportive space for children, young people, parents/carers and women who may be feeling emotionally overwhelmed, worried or unsure how to move forward during difficult periods in life.

Alongside counselling, I offer short-term consultations for parents and carers who may be feeling concerned about a child or young person and unsure what kind of help may feel most appropriate.

Some parents and carers may have been quietly worried for a long time, whilst others may feel burnt out by emotional changes, school/college difficulties, anxiety, emotional regulation struggles, friendship issues or a growing sense that their child may be experiencing the world differently in some way.

Families may already have explored counselling or support services without feeling things truly improved, whilst others may still be waiting for CAMHS involvement or trying to decide whether counselling, a neurodevelopmental assessment, or another form of support would feel most helpful. Sometimes, before making decisions, it can feel valuable simply to have a space to pause, reflect and consider the wider picture of a child’s experiences.

Sometimes children and young people are not yet ready to engage with counselling directly themselves. In these situations, having space as a parent or carer to pause and think things through together can often feel valuable in itself.

I also understand that seeking private support can sometimes feel like a significant emotional and financial commitment, particularly for families who may already be feeling stretched or unsure what kind of help feels right.

These consultations offer a space to explore what may be happening emotionally, reflect on patterns and experiences, and think together about gentle and manageable next steps without pressure to commit to ongoing therapy.

My Background

My own experiences of parenting, family transitions and exploring my own sensory differences later in life help me to work in a thoughtful, compassionate and emotionally attuned way. I understand how easy it can be for parents and carers to quietly carry worry, guilt or uncertainty whilst feeling pulled in many directions and trying to hold everything together for everyone else.

After struggling within education myself, I found hairdressing to be a grounding and regulating outlet following school and college. During that time, therapy also played an important role in my own personal growth and self-understanding. Those experiences eventually led me to retrain as a mature student at the University of Salford, where I completed my BSc (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy: Professional Practice.

My Inclusive Hairdressing Service

Alongside my counselling work, I also run The Tortoise & The Hair, a SEND-friendly mobile hairdressing service supporting people who may find traditional salon environments overwhelming or inaccessible. This work has further deepened my understanding of sensory needs, emotional regulation and trust-building.

Some parent and carer consultations may also focus on sensory or everyday experiences that have become emotionally overwhelming for a child or family, including difficulties around haircuts, hair washing, self-care routines or environments that feel overstimulating.

For some families, repeated distress around hair appointments or personal care can leave both children and parents/carers feeling anxious, exhausted or unsure how best to help. These consultations can offer space to think together about sensory needs, emotional regulation and gentle ways of helping children feel safer, more comfortable and more understood.

Where appropriate, parent and carer consultations relating to hair services, sensory support and access needs can take place within the family home.

How I Work

My core training is person-centred and my work is informed by attachment theory, developmental trauma, narrative approaches and creative ways of working with children and young people.

I work in a relational, reflective and emotionally attuned way, recognising that every child, young person and family is unique. I believe it can be helpful to slow things down, explore experiences with curiosity and create a space where people to feel safe, understood, accepted, and less alone with what they are carrying.

Where appropriate, I also draw on ideas from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and solution-focused practice to help people develop practical ways of managing difficult thoughts and emotions.

I have experience of working within school settings and offer a creative, relationship-based approach, tailoring sessions to each child and young person's individual needs, interests and readiness to engage.

My work with children and young people often focuses on anxiety, emotional overwhelm, self-esteem, identity, neurodivergence, life transitions, academic pressure and navigating the increasing expectations that can come with adolescence and early adulthood.

I offer a non-judgemental space where people can:

• pause and feel heard
• begin making sense of difficult thoughts and feelings
• reflect on patterns and experiences more clearly
• feel more emotionally grounded and less alone

I offer a free introductory call if you would like to ask questions, talk things through or see whether working together may feel like the right fit for you or your family.

Sessions are 50 minutes long and charged at £58 per session. Payment is via bank transfer and is kindly requested at least 24 hours before your appointment.

Parent and carer consultations are available as either 30-minute (£40) or 50-minute (£58) appointments, depending on the nature of the support required. Shorter sessions may also be appropriate for some children and young people who would benefit from a gentler introduction to counselling.

I understand that plans can sometimes change, so if you need to rearrange or cancel a session, I would appreciate as much notice as possible.

Sessions
In-person counselling and parent/carer consultations take place from a calm and comfortable therapy room in Altrincham on Saturday afternoons.

Sessions are typically 50 minutes long. For some parent/carer consultations and children & young people, shorter 30-minute sessions may occasionally feel more appropriate, particularly when beginning support or where a gentler pace feels helpful.

Some people may benefit from a small number of parent/carer consultation sessions, whilst others may prefer longer-term counselling support. We will regularly review how the sessions are feeling and whether the support continues to feel helpful, relevant and appropriate.

I understand that family life, education, work and emotional wellbeing can sometimes feel unpredictable. Whilst I will always try to offer flexibility where possible, I generally recommend keeping appointments at a regular time, as consistency can help create a sense of safety, continuity and trust within the therapeutic relationship.

Where appropriate, some home-based parent/carer consultations may also be available on Thursdays and Fridays, particularly where sensory differences, emotional regulation difficulties or family challenges are making it difficult to access support elsewhere.

Parent & Carer Communication
When working with children and young people, I encourage open and collaborative communication wherever possible. With the young person's knowledge and consent, parent/carer review discussions may be offered where appropriate to support understanding and communication outside of counselling sessions.

Written Summaries & Reports
Where helpful, I can provide brief written summaries following parent/carer consultation sessions. These may support parents/carers in organising concerns, reflecting on patterns discussed together or supporting conversations with schools and other professionals.

Written summaries, review discussions and reports are offered as an additional service and can always be discussed together in advance.