Francesca Shorrock

ingOriginally from Austria, I grew up bilingually with a British mother. I am the co-founder and a director of The MIND Institute. I have worked as a counsellor and psychotherapist in advanced clinical training in private practice in the UK since 2006 , as well as being a mum to twin boys. I am also a fully qualified teacher and personal adviser with over 17 years’ experience of personal development in groups and training in the UK and in Vienna, Austria.

Before founding The Mind Institute in 2014, I had established Oak Tree Therapy, Training & Research Institute, a centre of excellence in the UK, implementing and delivering clinical and research services. Prior to this I worked for the local authority, supporting young people with multiple and complex issues. Over the years I have undertaken in-depth trainings in psychotherapy, counselling, life-coaching and meditation.

My areas of interest and expertise include relationship difficulties, issues and confusion around sexuality, difficulties in finding a partner, parenting skills, baby blues, fertility issues, anxiety, and issues around self-esteem. I also have a special interest in neurodivergence such as ADHD and autism and empowering neurodivergent individuals to embrace their difference and develop their unique strengths. Most latterly, along with my husband, Dr Matt Shorrock, I have developed a special interest in developing services for expatriates and the international community in Vienna.

I see my counselling role as two-fold: facilitating clients to develop personal insight; and also to provide them with the tools to change and realise their individual values and goals. I really enjoy working creatively and using a diverse range of research-informed techniques to facilitate change and growth in my client work. I believe that every person is destined to live a happy, successful and fulfilled life, given they have the right tools. A philosophy that steers my practice, and that of The MIND Institute.

Qualifications & Trainings

I am committed to life-long personal development, and have undertaken 6 years of advanced clinical training as a Transactional Analysis psychotherapist in the UK. 

Also, I am currently working towards a master’s degree in psychotherapy in the UK (Transactional Analysis) and full registration in Austria. I am a fully qualified counsellor (Lebens- und Sozialberater) and adhere to the ethical framework of counsellors in Austria, as well as the European Association of Transactional Analysis (EATA).

I also possesses an honours degree as a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) and hold a Diploma in Paedagogics (Dipl. Paed.). While working for the local authority in the UK, I successfully completed an NVQ 4 in Advice and Guidance, which also equips me to work pragmatically, as a coach, with a wide range of issues, as well as psychologically, as a counsellor.

I have also attended intensive trainings in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), with the internationally acclaimed life-coach Anthony Robbins and participate in regular trainings and workshops.

Professional Ethics

I am a registered member of the United Kingdom Association of Transactional Analysis (UKATA). [UKATA is a member organisation of the United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapists – UKCP, and the European Association of Transactional Analysis, EATA]. As an ethical practitioner all of my clinical work is supervised, further enhancing the safety, effectiveness and quality of her practice.