0191 490 9301
Our Story
Talk Works was founded by Clinical Psychologists, Dr Jennifer Cottam and Jane McCarthy in March 2014. Today the Talk Works team continue to share the same passion to help organisations manage wellbeing.
Delivering rapid access to evidence-based, accessible therapy enables individuals to recover from mental health problems; online and in-person educational programs enable organisations and individuals to improve understanding and develop wellbeing practices that prevent the development of mental ill-health. We are immensely proud to have worked with employers to support over 3000 individuals to re-establish a position of wellbeing following an episode of mental ill-health.
Our Values
Professional
Excellence
Compassionate
Connections
Doing The
Right Thing
Meet The Team
Dr. Jennifer Cottam
Psychologist and Clinical Director
I’m Jen – Clinical Psychologist and co-founder of Talk Works. I like straight-talking and learning stuff; I love to read and typically have several podcasts on the go. I’m serious about making services accessible, which is why, in 2014, we set up Talk Works to give rapid access to mental health support to many. My qualifications include the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and a post-graduate Diploma in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – a talking therapy which helps people to identify patterns in how we think, feel and behave. I recently qualified in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), which works well for those who have experienced trauma.
Alexis James
Practice Team Lead
Hello, my name is Alexis. I am the Practice Team Leader here at Talk Works, overseeing the referral team and acting as one of the first points of contact and a friendly face and voice for our customers and clients. Since joining the Talk Works family in Autumn 2020, I have grown a great pride in working for such an amazing organisation, alongside a team of wonderful clinical and business staff, knowing we are all striving to make a difference. Outside of work I love spending my time with my young family, reading and going to cheesy pop concerts!
Jan Garcha
Senior Psychotherapist
Hi, my name is Jan and I am a member of the Talk Works Team. I have a history of working in the field of Mental Health, I qualified as a Social Worker prior to a change of career, I now love my work as an Integrative Humanistic Psychotherapist, which means working within the therapeutic relationship, with the knowledge that everyone is unique. I love the fact that every day is different and feel it is such a privilege to walk alongside someone as they heal and work through the many different issues that led them to our door.
Paul O’Donnell
Clinical lead
Hi my name is Paul, I am the clinical lead here at Talk Works and so proud to be part of our great team. I have worked in the mental health field as a psychotherapeutic counsellor since 2014 working in a variety of different roles and feel very passionate about what I do. I pride myself in developing my skills where possible, with my most recent accomplishment in gaining an accreditation in EMDR therapy which specifically focuses on the treatment of trauma. Outside of work I love to walk my dog around the fantastic routes in the north east and enjoy keeping fit (not so much on a weekend) but most of all indulging in some downtime with family and friends.
Dáire Fitzgerald
eLearning Manager
Originally from Omagh in Northern Ireland, I moved to the North East of England for University in 2005. Having been involved in health and wellbeing since 2010 in 2017 I moved into Learning and Development combining my passion for both health and learning.
Holly Lynn
Counsellor
I am a counsellor with over 7 years of experience working with individuals with diverse psychological difficulties. I offer a flexible approach to therapy using an integrative approach. Working this way also allows me to successfully engage those clients with complex needs and allows me to tailor the therapy with what works best for the client.
Dr. Rachel Jones
Counselling Psychologist
Hi my name is Rachel and I am a counselling psychologist here at Talk Works. I am an integrative practitioner who tailors therapy to fit you, the client, rather than the other way around. I have been at Talk Works since mid-2021, and I also work part-time in the NHS.
Close Search