About me
I am a specialist Child and Adolescent Counsellor offering both talking and play based therapy for children and young people.
My training was Integrative, which means that I am able to draw on a wide variety of approaches to find the best way to work with a child. This includes Child Development, Attachment Theory, Systemic Theory, Psychodynamic and Person Centred Theories, CBT, as well as the use of play and creative materials when working with children and their families.
I work with children from the age of 4 upwards
I also have a wide range of training and experience in working with families and supporting parents and am trained in Child Parent Relationship Therapy
I am a registered member of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists). I am fully insured and have an enhanced DBS.
I have additional expertise in working with families affected by bereavement and alcohol or drug use
My work in schools
I have worked as a School Counsellor in both Primary and Secondary schools, working with children experiencing a wide range of issues, including bullying, anxiety, friendship issues, self esteem, family breakdown, domestic violence and bereavement.
I have also run groups for children referred for social, emotional and behavioural issues and facilitated a Parenting Course for a National Children's Mental Health Charity for parents needing support in managing their child's behaviour.
My work with Bereavement
I have worked as a Bereavement Counsellor with children and young people between the ages of 4-18 and have also volunteered as a facilitator of groups for children affected by wide range of bereavements such as suicide, sudden death, lengthy illness, the loss of a parent, grandparent or sibling.
I understand the long lasting impact that a bereavement can have on the whole family and as well as supporting the individual child or young person, I can also provide helpful ways for the family to keep communication channels open during this turbulent time.
My work with families affected by a loved one's drug or alcohol use
There is very little support for families living with a parent or partner's use of drugs or alcohol, despite the often long lasting effects caused by the stigma and shame that is associated with these very common conditions.
I have considerable experience of working with both parents and children who are affected by a loved one's substance misuse or addiction. I can either offer support myself or direct you to other services which may be more appropriate. Please see the relevant page of this website for more information.
I am a qualified M-PACT Practitioner. M-PACT (Moving Parents and Children Together) is a programme devised by Action on Addiction to support children and partners of people who are struggling with an addiction or excessive drug or alcohol use. I have run programmes for families who are affected in this way, covering issues such as understanding addiction, communication, expressing and understanding emotions, self esteem and resilience. I work closely with each family, assessing their needs and supporting them all through the process and I also facilitate the children's group.
My qualifications
Post Graduate Diploma, Counselling Children in Schools, Place2Be/UEL
Post Graduate Certificate, Systemic Practice, Prudence Skynner Centre, St Georges Hospital NHS Trust
M-PACT Practitioner Certificate, University of Bath
Additional Training
Attachment and Parenting, Gwen Adshead, NScience
Trauma Informed Stabilisation Treatment, Janina Fisher, Psychotherapy Excellence
Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) for Parents, Reflective Parenting, Anna Freud Centre
Child Parent Relationship Therapy, Roehampton University
Increasing Resilience of Children of Parents with Mental Illness, ACAMH
Therapeutic Assessment for Adolescents with Self-Harm, ACAMH
Couples as Parents, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
Understanding Adolescence, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
Time Limited Psychotherapy with Adolescents and Young Adults, NScience
Safe Trauma Treatment, Babette Rothschild, NScience
Working with Domestic Abuse, Christiane Sanderson, NScience
Self Harm Training, Young Minds
Disorganised Attachment Behaviour, Gwen Adstead, NScience
Safeguarding and Child Protection, Place2Be
Building Resilience and Repairing Neglect, Anna Freud Centre
Working with Children and Young People with SEN, Place2Be
Personal Approach
Integrative, Child Centred, Psychodynamic, Systemic, Play based and creative therapy
Registered Member BACP
