Professional Background

I’m Dr Kate Tangri, HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist and mum of two boys.‍ ‍

I am the founder of Forest Psychology, a therapy practice in north-east London which supports mums, dads and parents-to-be with the challenges associated with becoming a parent. As a mum to two young children myself, I am acutely aware that parenting can be demanding, overwhelming and emotionally and physically exhausting. Becoming a parent can also result in you losing sight of your own sense of identity, wants and needs. When social media is full of photos of happy parents and smiling children, it can be hard to admit that being (or becoming) a parent is not necessarily what you expected, and there may be aspects you find tricky. Therapy can help you navigate these challenges, work through your difficulties and rediscover your sense of self.

To call yourself a clinical psychologist in the UK you are required to have completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). I completed my doctorate at the University of Leeds in 2009 and have been working as a qualified clinical psychologist for 17 years, 12 of those specialising in perinatal mental health. Alongside my private practice, I currently work as a consultant clinical psychologist and professional lead for perinatal psychology services in a London NHS Trust. Prior to my current role I have worked for many years in specialist NHS perinatal and parental mental health services across London. I have supported mums, dads and parents-to-be with a range of issues including adjustment to parenthood, bonding and attachment difficulties, changes in the couple relationship, birth trauma, postnatal anxiety and depression.

I also specialise in working with parents who have gone through difficult times as a child. If you have experienced trauma or neglect in your childhood or were parented in ways that made you feel uncared for or unsafe, this can have a profound impact on your own views around becoming a parent, or how you might want to parent your own child. It is common for the impact of difficult childhood experiences to become more apparent once you become a parent yourself. This can leave you in a really tough position of grappling with difficult feelings related to your past, whilst at the same time trying to do the hard job of parenting and bonding with your child. You might be wondering how you can meet the needs of your child when you have your own unresolved and unmet needs, and therapy can help with this.

I hold a special interest in supporting neurodivergent parents, which includes conditions such as autism and ADHD. Raising a child whilst having a brain that processes information and sensory input differently to most people can bring its own unique set of challenges to parenting. It is very common for neurodivergent parents to have spent their lives developing techniques and coping strategies to mask or manage their experience of being a neurodivergent person surviving in a neurotypical world. However, when you become a parent it is not always possible to put these strategies into practice, or they no longer work as effectively. This can cause neurodivergent parents to feel stressed, overwhelmed and unable to cope with the demands of parenting. This can then lead to feelings of failure and guilt, and comparing yourself unfavourably to other parents.

I can offer you a warm, collaborative space where we can explore what is troubling you and make sense of your difficulties. If you are wanting to make positive change but are feeling stuck, we will work together to help you recognise and unstick patterns of thoughts, feelings or behaviour that may have been present for a long time but which no longer serve you in a positive way.

If it sounds like we would be a good fit, you are welcome to email me at forestpsychology@proton.me or call 07442 380 981 to make an appointment.