Serife Erten, ACA, PACFA

Serife Erten is an ACA and PACFA counsellor who helps people manage stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, depression, trauma and everyday thinking habits. She brings many years of clinical experience to sessions and uses practical, down-to-earth ways to help people move forward. Sessions are paced to each person’s needs and values.

Serife listens for what matters most and focuses on thoughts and everyday habits that shape behaviour. Her work often involves simple exercises people can use between sessions. She draws on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy to build coping skills and reduce distress.

Her background includes roles in private practice, community mental health and education. That variety means she has seen many kinds of life change and long-term challenges. She uses that experience to tailor practical strategies rather than one-size-fits-all plans.

Sessions are collaborative and respectful. Clients set goals and Serife offers tools to test out between meetings. The focus is on small, achievable steps that fit into daily life.

People who come to Serife often want help with parenting pressures, workplace stress, obsessive behaviours, phobias, chronic illness and relationship difficulties. She also supports those managing post-traumatic stress, first responder concerns and the practical fallout of separation and divorce.

How her approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose values-based actions. It is useful for anxiety, low mood and life transitions where values and meaning matter.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting thinking patterns and testing them with practical exercises. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts and workplace stress.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) emphasises skill building for managing strong emotions and improving relationships. It can help with emotional regulation, difficult reactions and coping under pressure.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist will work with the client to decide which combination of methods fits their goals and preferences. This is a collaborative process that adjusts as needs change.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking. The practical benefits to online sessions include fitting therapy into a busy day, shorter check-ins when needed, and avoiding travel time. Therapists can suggest exercises to practise between meetings so work continues between sessions.