‘When the mind is ill at ease, the body suffers’.

Tara Dakin, CPsychol MSc QTS

I value integrity, kindness and authentic connection.  I find it helpful to share that I have loved, been loved, and experienced loss. I have grieved deeply, felt bereft, and endured isolation and anxiety. At times, I have felt consumed and without control. 

In the 26th week of my pregnancy with my daughter, her father suffered a catastrophic stroke. It was sudden and life-altering, later diagnosed as the result of a rare form of blood cancer. I remember driving to the hospital with my daughter growing inside me, acutely aware, through both maternal instinct and professional training in developmental psychology, of what my body was transmitting to her: surges of cortisol, adrenaline, and many more stress hormones.

As I navigated the days and months that followed, I consciously applied every self-regulation strategy I knew. I was grieving, bracing, adjusting, and deeply aware that my child was too, in her own silent way. Today, I raise a thoughtful, perceptive, and emotionally attuned daughter. She is the light of my life. And yet, when she responds to the world with a depth of feeling that seems disproportionate, I find myself reflecting on those early exposures to stress during pregnancy, not with regret, but with understanding. Life and suffering.

This experience deepened my commitment to the science of co-regulation, to the lived reality behind the theory, and to the profound interplay between biology, environment, and human resilience. My journey has made me more fluent in gratitude and empathy.

My work is grounded in evidence, but led by compassion. I believe in the power of informed, reflective practice, and that even in our most fragile moments, we can nurture strength, trust, and connection.

My values are guided by integrity, kindness, compassion and inclusivity, without affiliation to any specific religious denomination. I strive to sit without judgement, acknowledging my own human imperfections. My goal is to help and support you, your children and your staff, while gently challenging and encouraging your growth.

I am committed to continuous learning and improvement. I welcome constructive feedback and value your voice in this process.

Namaste.