About me
I'm a fully accredited children, young peoples and families psychodynamic psychotherapist. Working in the age range of 4-24. I offer a warm, thoughtful and confidential space where children, adolescents, parents and care givers can explore the difficulties they are experiencing and begin to make sense of what may be happening beneath the surface, finding meaning to patterns of behaviour.
I adapt my practice and pace of work depending on the needs of the person or family. Usually multiple attempts have already been tried to address a reoccurring difficulty. Perhaps therapy, perhaps parenting courses, maybe even early help interventions and some respite was most likely felt, but the underlying behaviour continues regardless leading to a sense of defeat. Often what is happening is surface level solutions are providing a sticky plaster effect and a deeper problem may still need to be thought about and correctly processed. I take time to explore these unconscious internal dynamics as well as external influencing factors, such as culture, faith, organisational assumptions, as well as intergenerational influences and possible transmissions of trauma, which shape identity and relationships.
I use multi modals; drawing on ideas from humanistic psychology, developmental research, attachment models, ideas from internal family systems and depth analytical psychotherapy, as well as systemic family therapy and other evidence-based approaches, such as emotional focused and psychodynamic therapy. I can offer surface relief in the way of actionable strategies from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Non Violent communication, as well as exploring helpful somatic grounding, mentalisation and mindfulness techniques; this can create a safe place to start the deeper work- if that is what you choose to work on.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have an MA in psychological therapies from The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, where I studied for over five years. As well as that I have many years experience working in social care, family support, children and families charities, and schools. I have experience as a specialist social emotional mental health practitioner and school counsellor.
I offer psychotherapy for children (5–15), young people (16–25), and their families, with sessions available face-to-face in a private clinic in Bath or online. I have supported hundreds of clients through a wide range of challenges. These include school avoidance, anxiety disorders, anger, and depression, as well as more complex challenges such as attachment difficulties, trauma and loss. Drawing on a strong foundation in developmental and behavioural psychology, systemic family therapy, and other evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT and mindfulness. I create a warm, supportive environment where clients are safe exploring their experiences, moving towards feeling more settled, resilient, and able to manage everyday life and relationships.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£55.00 per session
Additional information
I offer concessions.
I also offer a 15 free consultation before there is any commitment to having a first session.
Your first session will simply be a place to begin.
Coming to therapy for the first time can feel like a big step. You may know exactly what has brought you, or you may simply have a feeling that things aren't quite right. You don't need to have all the answers before you come.
Our first session gives us an opportunity to meet, talk about what has been happening and begin to understand what life has been like for you, your child or your family. There is no expectation that you arrive knowing exactly what is wrong or what needs to change.
I will listen carefully to what you bring, while also being curious about the wider story: your relationships, experiences and circumstances, and how these may be connected. Sometimes, understanding these connections can help things begin to make a little more sense.
There is no expectation that you share everything straight away. Therapy develops over time, and we will go at a pace that feels manageable and appropriate for you.
For children and young people, the first session may look a little different. We can use conversation, play or other ways of communicating, depending on their age and what feels most natural for them. For families, we can begin to think together about what has brought you here and what you would like to be different. Parent work tends to move at a faster pace, but many people leave a first session feeling a sense of relief, perhaps from finally having somewhere to talk, and from beginning to make sense of what has been happening.
The first session is also an opportunity for you to get a sense of me and how I work. Finding the right therapist is important, and it is completely natural to wonder whether therapy will feel comfortable and useful for you.
We will also talk through practical things such as how often we might meet, fees, confidentiality and any questions you may have, so that you know what to expect.
Further information
Beyond the Behaviour
At The Dynamic Family Therapist, my mission is to help children, young people and families understand what is happening beneath the surface; because anxiety, anger, withdrawal, difficult behaviour or struggles with school often tell only part of the story.
I believe that behaviour has meaning. Our experiences, relationships and the ways we learn to protect ourselves can shape how we feel, behave and connect with others. Sometimes these patterns become difficult to understand or change, leaving children and families feeling stuck.
Through curiosity, compassion and thoughtful exploration, I work alongside children and families to make sense of what may be driving difficulties rather than simply trying to manage the symptoms we can see.
By understanding the roots of a difficulty, we can begin to create something different. Therapy can help children and families develop greater emotional awareness, strengthen relationships, communicate more openly and discover healthier ways of responding to life's challenges.
My approach is warm, collaborative and non-judgemental. Therapy provides a confidential space where thoughts and feelings can be explored safely, difficult experiences can begin to make sense, and new ways of relating to ourselves and one another can emerge. Because understanding what lies beneath today's difficulties can help shape a different tomorrow.
All therapeutic work is treated with the highest level of confidentiality, within professional safeguarding responsibilities. Please see my Privacy and Safeguarding Policies for further information.
Early support can make a meaningful difference. Understanding difficulties sooner can help prevent patterns becoming more deeply established and support healthier emotional and relational development as children grow.
