Arlette Kavanagh - Systemic Family Psychotherapist -UKCP & AFT reg

About me

Relationship 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 we have huge levels of demand placed on us as individuals, as couples and as families. This can create difficulties even in the healthiest of families and can result in challenging, frustrating, and painful interactions for everyone involved.

I am a qualified and experienced systemic psychotherapist with 20 years of experience of working with children and families in different environments. Including as an assistant educational psychologist in schools with SEN, separation and divorce, family work and trauma. I am passionate about supporting families through troubling times. I work with individuals, couples and family groups.

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

There are many different ways that therapists can work, but my preference is to work systemically. This might sound complicated, systems thinking is a different way of thinking about the world. It takes into account patterns of interactions, connections and disconnection that might be apparent in your current relationships. This might be in family history, close friendships or work relationships. These relationships are important in systems thinking as they create “ideas” about how we behave and repeat patterns of interaction.

Systems thinking can help you to explore unhelpful ideas and unhelpful repeating patterns of interaction and allow you to explore more helpful possibilities in a safe non-judgmental space.

As a systemic therapist I work beyond labels, diagnosis or problems to encourage solutions, create connections to energise relationships towards sustainable positive changes. I am a fully qualified and trauma informed therapist.

What can you expect from me

• Time to connect, explore and understand your relationship in a safe accepting non-judgemental space.
• A strengths based collaborative approach working towards the identification of stories of resilience and tolerance.
• I will help you and your family to explore how you can develop healthier relationships by establishing new more helpful ideas and repeating patterns of interaction.
• 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.
• An initial (no obligation) telephone consultation to understand your situation and how we can work together to address your needs.
• 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;

• Family communication and resolution of conflict.
• Trauma related challenges
• Mental health difficulties within the family
• SEN, challenging behaviour
• Bereavement/loss
• Parenting/ co-parenting / Carer difficulties

Where do I work?

I work across the North East of England, I have venues in Sunderland, Newcastle and Durham.

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