Assent and autonomy
Every child has a right to a voice, regardless of age, diagnosis, language or intellectual ability. I pay attention to how they communicate agreement, discomfort or the need for a break.
About me
I’m Keti Petriashvili
I’m a clinical psychologist, International Behavior Analyst and lecturer. I work with children and families on the emotional, behavioural and developmental difficulties that affect everyday life.
Therapy should be ethical and humane
I want a child to feel safe with me and, ideally, happy to see me. Their comfort, preferences and willingness to take part matter alongside their parent’s consent. A refusal is a reason to be curious, not automatically another behaviour to remove.
I try to understand what the child actually needs, not only what adults expect them to do. We may work in a therapy room, a garden or another everyday setting, depending on what is appropriate and agreed with the family.
Parent coaching is part of this work. I involve caregivers where helpful, explain what happened when they cannot join a session, and discuss practical ways to carry support into daily life.
What guides my work
Useful skills, with dignity and trust
Emotional well-being
I care about how a child feels during therapy and how they see themselves afterward. Learning useful skills should preserve their dignity, bodily autonomy and sense of self.
Progress in daily life
I use measurable goals and look for change beyond our sessions: at home, with other people, in education and in the community. A skill matters when it is useful to the child.
Education & professional training
My professional background
My education, credentials and continuing professional training are listed below.
2021–2024Master of Clinical Psychology, with honoursCaucasus University · GPA 3.97/4.00
2015–2020Bachelor’s Degree in PsychologyUniversity of Georgia
Awarded July 2025International Behavior Analyst (IBA)International Behavior Analysis Organization
Awarded July 2022Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)Behavior Analyst Certification Board
September 2023–February 2025Postgraduate Programme in Applied Behavior AnalysisChild Development Institute, Ilia State University
February 2024–presentPostgraduate Programme in Cognitive-Behavioural TherapyGeorgian Association for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
September 2024–presentTheoretical and Clinical Training in PsychoanalysisEspace Géorgien · Four-Component Programme
Clinical work & teaching
My professional experience
Behavioural Therapist: May 2021–June 2025 · Supervisor: July 2025–present
Tbilisi Autism Center
I supervise therapists, review behavioural data and guide individualised intervention plans. My work includes psychological and behavioural support for children and adolescents, in collaboration with families, educators and speech and language professionals.
September 2025–present
Psychology Lecturer · Alte University
I teach Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Science in English in the international undergraduate medical programme, with approximately 200 students per semester. I prepare teaching materials and contribute to the curriculum.
January 2026–present
Invited Lecturer · Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University
I teach Applied Behavior Analysis in the bachelor’s programme in psychology and prepare the syllabus, teaching materials and assessments.
December 2025–present
RBT Training Course Trainer · Tbilisi Autism Center
I deliver the 40-hour Registered Behavior Technician training course, covering ABA principles, measurement, skill acquisition, behaviour reduction, documentation, professional conduct and ethics.
October 2024–February 2026
Psychotherapist · Philippe Paumelle French Psychotherapy Center
I provided individual psychotherapy to adolescents and adults, including intake assessments, individualised treatment planning and progress monitoring.
February 2023–June 2025 · Remote
Psychological Counsellor · Kutkhe
I provided online counselling for emotional, relational and psychological difficulties.
2023–present · Remote
Scientific Webinar Interpreter · Autism Research Institute
I interpret live scientific webinars on autism and co-occurring conditions.
September 2023–present
Interpreter and Workshop Assistant · Georgian Institute of Psychosynthesis
I interpret international workshops from English into Georgian, help with organisation and convey the theoretical material accurately.
Earlier clinical and volunteer work
My clinical internships included group therapy at Tbilisi No. 1 Psycho-Narcological Rehabilitation Center (April–December 2023) and psychological support in the inpatient psychiatric setting at 5th Clinical Hospital (April–November 2024).
I also worked as a Support Worker with Mirabaldebi NGO (July 2021–August 2023) and as a Psychological First Aid Provider with GCRT (November 2024–May 2025).
Research and languages
My research examined cognitive emotion regulation and neuroticism as mediators between childhood trauma and resilience. I analysed data from 318 participants using regression and mediation analyses in SPSS and the PROCESS macro.
Georgian is my first language. My English qualification is IELTS Academic 8.0, and my German is at A2 level. I offer consultations in English.
What I want to write about
I want to write about assent, autonomy and agency: how children communicate yes or no, why refusal should make us curious, and how constant correction can shape a child’s self-esteem. My focus is on helping children learn without sacrificing trust or emotional well-being.