TESSA Therapist
Location:
Northern Ireland, Ireland
Hello, I’m Michelle. I am a trauma‑informed, attachment‑focused practitioner with over three decades of experience supporting children, young people, and families. My work is grounded in the belief that healing happens within safe, attuned relationships — and that adoptive families deserve support that is compassionate, steady, and free from judgment.
As a care‑experienced adult, my early life shaped my lifelong commitment to working with children and families affected by relational trauma. I began my career in 1989 in a residential unit for adolescents, where my own lived experience helped me recognise the depth, complexity, and pain held within children’s stories. For the past twenty years, I have worked as a Senior Therapeutic Social Work Practitioner within a dedicated trauma‑focused service, supporting children and their caregiving networks when early relational wounds underpin the challenges they face.
My practice centres on understanding what a child’s behaviour communicates about their inner world, and helping caregivers respond in ways that rebuild trust, safety, and connection. I bring warmth, steadiness, and deep respect for the lived experiences of both children and parents.
Why I Do This Work
I understand the emotional landscape of trauma — the grief, confusion, overwhelm, and hope that can all exist at once. Both my personal and professional experiences have shown me the power of being met with genuine connection and sincerity. I believe deeply that healing happens in relationship, not isolation, and this belief guides every aspect of my work.
Qualifications & Approach
I am trained in a range of trauma‑informed, attachment‑focused, and developmentally attuned approaches. My qualifications include:
- Diploma in Trauma‑Informed Psychotherapy
- Trauma‑Informed Practice & Developmental Training
- Training in Somatic Experiencing
- Training in the neurobiology of trauma
- Sensory‑based trauma work
- Techniques for processing emotions
Professional Registration
- Diploma in Social Work
- NISCC Registered Social Worker
Who I Support
Through TESSA NI, I support adoptive parents, children and young people, and the wider caregiving network. My role complements the support already around a child — strengthening, not replacing, the work of parents, schools, and other professionals. At present, all my therapeutic work is offered online via TEAMS or Zoom.
A Warm Invitation
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure, you’re not alone. I offer a gentle, grounded space to help you reconnect with your child, rebuild safety, and move forward with confidence and hope. Healing happens in connection — and I’m here to walk that path with you.
