Ms Sara Beresford Terry

A conversation with Sara Beresford Terry

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  I trained in Social Work in the UK (1982) and was passionate about my work with children and families in various government and non-government agencies. I continued this work when I first migrated to Australia, but began to feel I wanted to do more focused 'therapeutic' work at a deeper level, than my social work roles sometimes allowed.
  I studied a Masters in Counselling and have since enjoyed the opportunity to develop deeper therapeutic relationships, with children, teens, adults and sometimes whole families. I truly enjoy the privilege my professional life offers me to walk alongside others on their journey through difficult times and witness their resilience, growth and healing.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  My social work roots still run true and I am committed to the ideas around 'social justice'. Social work also taught me to always try to understand people's situation within their social and cultural context. I like to explore our 'meaning-making' and 'unpack' ideas and beliefs, to take a look at where they may have come from and who they might serve.
  Being an optimistic person, I am drawn to strengths and resiliency based work.
  As I have been interested in meditation for a long time, I am particularly excited about recent advances in neuroscience and how this has deepened our knowledge about attachment and trauma and the beneficial impact of mindfulness practices.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  My areas of interest are quite broad, but most sit within a general interest in Attachment, Resilience, Life Transitions, Mindfulness and Trauma and using creative approaches in therapy.
  
  I am interested in a mothers pre and post natal mental health, and in the well-being of the attachment relationship between infant / young child and their primary carers. I am interested in relationships within families and the challenges they face as a family goes through changes.
  
  I have studied Trauma in it's various forms and worked in the area of child sexual assault counselling for over a decade.
  
  I have experience in supporting families adapting to raising a child with disabilities, or families impacted by chronic illness.
  
  I am interested in people's experience of anxiety and loss, particularly at times of transition and hard times following changes such as separation/divorce.

• What methods do you use?

  Having worked in this profession for a long time, I have 'collected' many methods which I believe work well, along the way and of course I am always picking up new ones.
  It is well known that it is the quality of the therapeutic relationship, which makes the difference in counselling, rather than the particular method used. So my focus is on building and maintaining that relationship, to hopefully provide my clients with a safe, contained, respectful place to explore and work on whatever it is they bring to counselling.
  Having said that, I do like to use creative approaches in my work, including sand-tray, art, photo language cards, and other creative media to assist with deepening our conversations.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  Clients often begin to feel benefits from counselling in the first few sessions. During this time we focus on building the relationship and understanding the difficulties which brought them, along with beginning to address symptoms learn new skills (like Mindfulness) and address the areas of discomfort.
  Symptom management is really only the beginning and as the work and relationship develops we can go a little deeper into discovering and building up resilience and if the client chooses, into exploring/ unpacking what has been supporting the problem.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Yes- that is easy to answer. Being a counsellor requires me to do a great deal of self reflection and make sure my 'stuff' is not interfering with my work with clients. I have heard many sad and horrible stories of hurt, and maybe have lost my naivety about what can happen to and between people. But far more strong is the influence of the many stories of strength I have had the honour to witness, about human compassion, forgiveness, determination, love, recovery and enormous courage, which inspire me and motivate me to be the best counsellor I can be.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  I can't really imagine doing anything else. I love the variety of my work, the human connection, the pleasure gained from seeing someone change, grow and re-connect with their own strengths. It is a very special job and I never forget how privileged I am do be able to do it.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Of course I do! Doesn't everyone?
  I like to think I have more ability these days to ride-out difficult events, to dig deep into my bag of 'Resilience' and know 'things will get better'. I find Mindfulness practice very helpful in keeping me balanced and on the track I want to be on. I have regular clinical supervision to get expert guidance on how I am traveling with my work and I always make sure 'self-care' stays high on my agenda.
  For me self-care includes time with loved ones, friends, pets and nature, and includes a good dose of delicious food and laughter.

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  Oh my goodness, not sure I can write about this in just a few lines.
  I will keep it simple - we need more kindness.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  It is easier to talk about the sort of art which moves me. I am drawn to work which communicates to me the richness of human experience, life and nature's bountiful beauty, and the enormity of individual and community resilience. And of course I love a good laugh!