TWO clinical psychotherapists are opening a new therapy centre with a modern approach in Tiverton.

Bernadette Brady-Lockwood, 42, and Linda Pinfold, 41, have studied transactional therapy for around 10 years between them, and believe this is the first time this form of social psychology has been on offer in Mid Devon.

The Mid Devon Therapeutic Centre, in Leat Street, is set to officially open on Thursday, next week, but Bernadette is already holding assessments with clients. She previously offered individual counselling in Exeter, but says the new clinic will mean cut down on journeys for a number of clients already based in Mid Devon.

Transactional Analysis (TA) was developed in the 1950s by American doctor Eric Berne.

There are a number of reasons for starting therapy, the women said, including stress, relationship problems — families as well as couples — addiction or abiding unpleasant memories of childhood.

Bernadette says TA gives people "a map to understand what is happening in their life and what makes them tick" — and can help them make positive changes if they wished to.

She said the role of the psychotherapeutic counsellor was to listen to the client without telling them what to do, and help them analysis why certain processes may lead people to repeat things again and again.

Bernadette said she had already spoken to local GPs, community mental health teams and the CAB in advance of the centre opening — clients can self-refer or be referred by doctors or other professional practitioners.

The process begins with an initial 30-minute consultation, after which the person can decide if therapy is for them. The number of sessions will depend on the depth at which the client wishes to work and their appetite for change.

The new centre in Leat Street, which will be open initially on Mondays and Thursday, will have two consulting rooms and has a level entrance to make disabled access easier.

In addition to transactional analysis, the centre will be used by Reiki Master Keith Meager and enable patients to access a reflexologist and hypnotherapist.

The centre's new website, www.middevontherapeutic.co.uk, will be launched to tie in with the centre's opening.