About me
My practice is grounded in a deep understanding of child and adolescent development, and in the belief that meaningful, lasting change comes from exploring both conscious and unconscious aspects of experience.
I am a Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist with more than thirty years’ experience working with children, teenagers, young adults and their families in both schools and clinics. I have worked as a teacher, senior manager and NHS CAMHS clinician and worked with all age groups from infancy to adulthood and with schools and parents.
I am trained at the Birmingham Trust for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and am registered in the UK with the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP). My approach is thoughtful, containing and compassionate, grounded in careful listening and the belief that symptoms usually have meaning. I aim to help young people and families make sense of emotional and behavioural difficulties, rather than simply managing them.
Whether working online or in person, I offer a calm, containing and reflective space in which young people can explore their inner worlds, develop insight, and find new ways of relating to themselves and others. I also work closely with parents and carers, helping them think about what their child may be communicating through their behaviour, feelings, or struggles.
Training, qualifications & experience
I completed the Tavistock Clinic’s two year postgraduate Master’s in Psychoanalytic Observational Studies (M7) in Oxford followed by my four year full time clinical training with the Birmingham Trust for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, both NHS-accredited programmes. This rigorous six-year training involved academic study, intensive clinical work within an NHS setting, ongoing supervision, and personal analysis four times a week throughout the duration of the training. This training is regarded as equivalent to a clinical doctorate. Prior to this I trained as a teacher and worked for many years both in the UK and abroad as a specialist with younger children and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities such as Autism.
I also hold degrees in Education and Psychology. My full membership of the ACP means I meet the professional and ethical standards recognised by the Professional Standards Authority and the Department of Health. I remain committed to ongoing professional development and regular clinical supervision to support safe, reflective practice.
My work reflects specialist knowledge of psychological and emotional development from infancy onwards. My background in both education and mental health allows me to think about the whole system surrounding a child - family, home, school/college/university, and wider relationships - while offering careful, containing therapeutic work with the young person.
Member organisations
The ACP is the registering body for NHS trained Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists. ACP members undergo a minimum 6 year training; two years at Masters level then 4 years full-time clinical in the NHS qualifying in a Doctorate Level course. Full members are able to work with neonates, mothers & babies, parents & toddlers, primary school age children & adolescents. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Fatherhood/the role of the father in child development.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£110.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Fees
A limited number of concessionary therapy places are available. I currently have two concessionary places at £80. Please ask for more information. Individual psychotherapy (50 minutes): £110
Initial consultation (90 minutes): £165/£120 (Concession)
The fee for ongoing psychotherapy is £110/£80 (Concession) per session. This applies whether the work is with a child, adolescent, or parents.
Additional professional work — including letters, reports, or liaison with schools, CAMHS, or other professionals — is discussed in advance and charged at £110/£80 (concession) per hour.
Assessment Package
Where clinically indicated, a structured assessment package may be offered. This consists of three individual sessions followed by a review session, allowing for observation, reflection, and formulation.
The fee for the assessment package is £440/£320 (concession) and is payable in advance following the initial consultation.
The review session is used to consider the assessment and agree next steps. This may lead to a plan for ongoing psychotherapy or to a written summary/report with recommendations and, where appropriate, suggestions for further referrals.
Attendance and Cancellations
Session times are reserved exclusively for each patient.
Cancellations with less than 48 hours’ notice are charged at the full session fee, as the time cannot usually be reallocated.
Where a session is missed due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, this may be discussed; however, the full fee remains payable in accordance with the therapeutic agreement.
When I work
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Further information
I have spent many years working closely with parents. I have a particular interest in fatherhood - the emotional experience of fathers, the role they play in the development of their children, and the impact of absent fathers. This is the focus of a book I am currently writing, as well as regular workshops and online groups that I run. I aim to support parents and carers to better understand their children and to feel more confident and emotionally resourced in their roles.
