Areas of Expertise
I work in private practice as well as in schools, providing one-to-one counselling online and/or in person to children and adolescents as well as supporting school staff and parents.
Organisations I have worked in include Place2Be.
I have particular experience in the following areas:
Developmental/Relational Trauma, Abuse, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum, Bereavement, Low-mood, Low self-esteem, Depression, Eating disorders, Health related issues, Social anxiety, Emotional regulation, Identity issues, Loss, Relationships and peer related issues, Self esteem, Self-harm, Sexual identity, Sexuality.
My Approach
My philosophy and style is underpinned by child development, systemic thinking and psychodynamic theory, using the core values of a person-centred approach, informed by attachment theory and neuroscience.
I recognise that each child may enter therapy with their unique needs and experiences, hence the value in an integrative approach to draw on a number of theoretical schools of thought to inform my work. My work is child-centred and I believe that at the core of any positive change lies the therapeutic relationship and the belief that the child has the capacity within himself/herself/themselves to create positive change, if provided with the appropriate conditions of trust, safety, unconditional positive regard and warmth in a non-judgmental environment.
I am naturally playful and curious and strive to continue my professional development through research and evidence-informed practice to access a child's inner landscape.
I believe in working creatively, at the pace of the child, respecting their processes and choice of expression. In the one-to-one in person sessions, I will have creative materials available such as sand-tray, clay, art materials, paints, games and toys...etc. When appropriate I may use Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, Solution focused approaches as well as psycho-education. I have online creative tools available for our online sessions such as a whiteboard, therapeutic games as well as a digital sand-tray.
I can work short or long term and will provide my recommendations regarding length of therapies, based on the individual needs of the child.