Tracy Forbes

Hi, my name is Tracy. I have over 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples, children and young people. I now work solely in private practice.

I am an Integrative Counsellor. This means that I draw upon a range of therapeutic approaches and techniques, to influence and inform the way that I work with clients.  There are certain tenets that are the cornerstone of my approach. I passionately believe that the quality and safety of the relationship that is created between myself and my clients is at the heart of the effectiveness of our work together. I believe that our past informs our present, and that our early relationships and experiences affect the way we think, feel and behave, as well as the way that we develop in relationships with others. I also believe that the curative process of counselling can help minimise the impact that our childhood experiences can have upon our later lives. 

We all experience challenges at times; these may be in our work lives, in our social lives, or in our intimate relationships.  In addition, challenges may also come from within ourselves, for example, the difficult thoughts and feelings that we may experience, or the troublesome behaviours that we know cause us problems and yet we have difficulty stopping.  Often these challenges prevent us from becoming the best version of who we are - the person we are meant to be.  My integrative approach – whether with children, teenagers, adults or couples – allows for the gaining of insight and understanding about ourselves and those situations that we find difficult and empowers us to find new ways of doing things, that will result in real change and a greater sense of wellbeing.

I am an accredited member of BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) and am bound by their professional code of ethics and good practice. I have extensive experience working with children and young people in a school setting, and with individuals and couples whilst working with London Marriage Guidance, Relate and in private practice. I bring qualities of warmth, support and understanding to a range of issues, such as loss, infidelity, trauma and anxiety and I am comfortable working both short or long term with clients.

Qualifications

  • 1994:  MSc in Organisational Behaviour – University of London, Birkbeck College

  • 2000:  Diploma in Psychodynamic Marital and Couple Counselling – London Marriage Guidance Council / University of Surrey  

  • 2004: Post Graduate Certificate in Emotional Factors in Learning and Teaching – Counselling Aspects in Education – The Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust / University of East London

  •  2012:  Post-Graduate Diploma in Counselling Children in Schools – Place2Be / University of East London

  • 2022: Graduate professional certificate in Compassionate Inquiry with renowned trauma expert Dr Gabor Mate