You had a Cuppa with our CEO last week, and now we’re serving up Cuppa with our CCO, Tracey Paxton☕
🪜 What was your journey to your current role?
I started my career in mental health back in 1987 when I joined the NHS as a Nursing Assistant in a High Secure Forensic Hospital. During my NHS career I progressed through the management structure - this is where I formulated the operational model that we have in TERC today!
I have over 34 years’ experience of working within the NHS and private sector as a practicing clinician/senior hospital manager, and my combined experience from these years of service has enabled me to fully understand the practical complexities of working within public and private sector psychological services.
I also sat on the UK Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) for many years as National Executive Board member and EAPA Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Chairperson where I contributed and monitored the professional guidelines for EAP’s, clinicians and individuals working within the field of psychological and employee health and wellbeing.
In 2020, I won the Institute of Directors ‘Director of the Year’ Award for my strategic work in aligning national health policy into setting priorities and direction into private sector psychological services and improving standards.
Currently, I am the Chair of The Royal College of Psychiatrists & British Psychological Society’s Advisory Board and I sit on the APPTS Accreditation Committee.
❤ Can you tell us a favourite moment working for TERC?
My favourite moment must be way back when I founded TERC. At this time, there were just 3 staff including myself and I remember sitting on the floor with our now Support Services Manager for hours putting desks together, answering phones, and literally doing every task needed to operationalise the business. It was such a hectic time, but one filled with hope, and a vision of what the service should look like.
Another favourite moment is when we became accredited by The Royal College of Psychiatrists and The British Psychological Society. To become accredited so quickly is testament to all the staff at TERC as it demonstrates that we have created a service based on clinical excellence and clinical outcomes.
💡 What's your top tip for looking after your own mental health at work?
Taking care of your mental health at work starts and ends with taking care of your mental and physical health in general. Building up good habits to help maintain your mental health will pay dividends in the long term and consistency is key.
#Counselling #CounsellingCareer #MentalHealth #WorkplaceMentalHealth
Does your counselling run on TERC?
Vivup
BHSF