Arlette Kavanagh

Parenting can be can be tough, right!? I’m sure I am not the first person to say this and I am sure that I won’t be the last.

In today’s day and age parents and young people are facing unprecedented demands. Parents are experiencing financial stress ( which may be job related) and child rearing and parenting challenges. Whilst our children and young people face many transitions from school to puberty, whilst managing the demands and dilemmas of social media.

These demands can often compete and conflict causing stress for parents and young people which can result in challenging, frustrating, and painful interactions for everyone involved. I have first hand experience of these demands in my own personal life and see similar challenges faced by the families that I work with.  Help is out there, you are not alone.

I am a qualified and experienced systemic psychotherapist with 20 years of experience of working with children and families in different settings, including CAMHS, NHS, Local Authorities and Charitable organisations. I am passionate about supporting families through challenging times. I work with individuals, couples and family groups.

    "an entire family can be changed through the efforts of one person" Mary Bowen

I am particularly experienced in working with children, young people and their families who have Special Educational Needs and those who have had traumatic life experiences.

What can you expect from me

• An initial (no obligation) telephone consultation to understand your situation and how we can work together to address your needs.
• Online Therapy via Zoom/Teams & Face to Face therapy.
• Time to connect, explore and understand challenges in a safe accepting non-judgmental space.
• A warm, compassionate and solution-focused approach where everyone has the space to speak and to be heard.
• Support to identify shared goals that will improve the quality of life for you and your family.
• Confidential, professional approach focused on you and your family.

What challenges can we work on together?

My approach and experience can be used in a number of change related areas including, but not limited to;

• Adverse Life / Childhood Experiences, Including issues arising from Covid 19 - Chronic Fatigue/recovery from.
• Family communication.
• I work with children and adults who have been affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACE's) ( physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect)
• Anxiety.
• Mental health difficulties / diagnosis within the family
• Child issues and self harm.
• Support for Foster Carers and Children and YP who are experienced in the care system.
• Childhood challenging behaviour.
• Working with children, YP and their families who are experiencing challenges due to Special Educational Needs (SEN)
• Parenting/ co-parenting / Carer challenges.
• School related issues.

Where do I work?

I offer an initial telephone consultation and depending on need we can work together online or face to face (In Durham, Sunderland, Houghton Le spring, Washington areas).

If you are not based in he North East of England please do not hesitate to call as I am able to arrange working via Zoom/Microsoft TEAMS.

Please feel free to contact me to have an informal discussion about your needs and how we can work together.