Sharmi Gowri-Kriszyk

Psychologist and Integrative Trauma Specialist with 20+ years' experience across NHS and private sectors. Founder and Clinical Director of a specialist trauma-focused practice, providing therapy, supervision and consultation. Specialist in trauma and attachment, including developmental trauma, PTSD, and C-PTSD.

EMDR therapist with advanced training in attachment-focused and somatic approaches. Experienced working with couples, adults, children, and families, including complex risk and safeguarding presentations. Skilled in research methods, psychometrics, and use of SPSS, BDI, and CORE-10/34, PHQ9, GAD7 and WOS5.

High proficiency in administration, IT, and data management.

Clinical Supervisor - Stepping Stones Psychology - Sheffield, South Yorkshire

(2025-02)

• Provide clinical supervision to therapists, supporting reflective practice and ethical decision-making and complex case formulation (incl. CPTSD, dissociation and relational trauma).
• Experienced in supervising work with complex trauma, informed by ongoing specialist training knowledge from ongoing advanced CPD in trauma, attachment, dissociation, and risk (including self-harm, suicidality, and addiction) into supervision practice.
• Support therapist wellbeing and sustainable practice with high-risk and emotionally demanding work incl. facilitating reflective group supervision spaces that promote practitioner resilience, wellbeing and burnout prevention (secondary and vicarious trauma).
• Contribute to good clinical practice by sharing knowledge, offering supervision and engaging with the wider professional community, especially within trauma therapists networks.

Principal Psychologist & Clinical Director - Stepping Stones Psychology - Sheffield, South Yorkshire

(2015-01)

• Founded and lead an independent trauma-focused practice, overseeing all clinical, operational, and strategic functions.
• Provide integrative, trauma-informed therapy to couples, adults, children, families and couples with a focus on developmental trauma, CPTSD, dissociation, chronic shame, and relational difficulties.
• Clinical approaches include EMDR, attachment-based interventions, somatic therapies, parts-based work, and trauma-sensitive stabilisation.
• Work predominantly with complex presentations where early relational trauma, neglect, or abuse have significantly impacted identity, affect regulation, and interpersonal functioning.
• Deliver clinical supervision to therapists and trainees, focusing on trauma-informed formulation, ethical practice, and therapist wellbeing.
• Develop and facilitate reflective practice spaces and peer support groups to reduce vicarious trauma and professional isolation.
• Offer consultation to organisations and practitioners on trauma-informed frameworks, case conceptualisation, and service development.
• Lead practice governance, safeguarding oversight, service design, and ethical compliance.
• Implement initiatives supporting sustainable practice and therapist resilience.

Consultant Trauma & Attachment Therapist (Associate) - Sheffield Wellness Centre - Sheffield, South Yorkshire

(2017-01)

• Provide trauma-focused therapy, specialising in trauma, abuse, attachment difficulties and CPTSD
• See a diverse client group referred to me by employee wellbeing and support platform, and local authority services.
• Support high standards of clinical practice within a collaborative wellness environment.

Specialist Trauma & Attachment Therapist - Chrysalis Associates

(2015-01 - 2020-12)

• Provided specialist therapeutic interventions for children and families affected by developmental trauma, early neglect, abuse, and attachment disruption, particularly within adoptive and foster care contexts.
• Worked closely with parents, carers, and multidisciplinary professionals to support attachment repair and relational safety.
• Delivered integrative trauma therapy incorporating Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP-informed), EMDR, Theraplay-informed interventions, and attachment-focused relational work.
• Supported caregivers in developing therapeutic parenting capacity, strengthening attuned responses to children with dysregulation, trauma triggers, and relational defensiveness.
• Deepened clinical specialism in developmental trauma, emphasising systemic, relational, and body-based approaches to attachment healing.

Lead Clinician & Trustee - Mums In Need

(2015-01 - 2016-12)

• Provided clinical leadership within a domestic abuse support charity, working with women experiencing coercive control and post-separation abuse.
• Held responsibility for clinical oversight and safeguarding guidance.
• Contributed to governance as a Trustee, ensuring ethical standards, risk management, and trauma-informed principles were embedded in service delivery.
• Supported the development of psychologically informed interventions tailored to survivors, focusing on trauma stabilisation, empowerment, and relational safety.

Earlier Clinical Roles - Various NHS and Community Settings

(2004-01 - 2015-12)

• Held diverse roles across CAMHS, adult mental health, physical health psychology, and specialist services.
• Supported children and adolescents in CAMHS with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
• Worked in NHS Trust roles delivering psychological support in weight management and long-term physical health services.
• Provided mental health support to individuals affected by acquired brain injury.
• Earlier experience includes residential youth work with vulnerable young people and counselling adults experiencing psychological distress.
• Gained broad expertise in assessment, risk management, multidisciplinary collaboration, and psychologically informed support across diverse populations.

Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (BPS-accredited programme) - Counselling Psychology - Wolverhampton University (2009-01 - 2017-12)

Postgraduate Diploma (Level 7) in Applied Psychology and Counselling (BPS-accredited) - Applied Psychology and Counselling - Wolverhampton University (2009-01 - 2018-12)

BSc (Hons) - Psychology - London Metropolitan University (2001-01 - 2004-12)

Professional Advanced Diploma in Guidance and Counselling Psychology - Guidance and Counselling Psychology - Institute of Psychological Studies, Sri Lanka (2003-01 - 2003-12)

Professional Diploma in Counselling Psychology - Counselling Psychology - Institute of Psychological Studies, Sri Lanka (2003-01 - 2003-12)