Debbie Strafford
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello and welcome. I am Debbie, an integrative counsellor providing therapeutic tailored support for children, young people (5-25 years) and their families who are experiencing challenges that are impacting their enjoyment of everyday life.
Emotional and psychological difficulties can occur at any age and growing up can be challenging, it can often leave children feeling out of control. Neurodivergent children may have the additional barrier of being unable to communicate their problems which may further heighten anxieties and leave them feeling unable to cope, this is often expressed through challenging behaviours, withdrawal, eating disorders or self-harm. Reaching out for support can be overwhelming but it is the first step in helping to understand behaviours, feelings and emotions. I specialise in ASC, ADHD, anxiety and depression, helping children and young people to make sense of their experiences.
Sometimes it can be hard talking to family; children and teenagers worry about the upset it may cause. Talking to someone completely separate from their situation can help to take away some of the pressure. I offer counselling sessions from my home in Milton Keynes, providing a safe, confidential space where children and young people have the opportunity to express their feelings and understand the possible causes. Sessions are led by the child or young person and the approach is always uniquely adapted. Using a wide range of resources to play, make art, tell stories, play music or talk promotes discussions that explore feelings and helps them to better understand their emotions.
Exploring their experiences can identify worries, challenges and struggles and I work together with them to reframe their story. Empowering them to build emotional resilience and develop coping skills that make a lasting difference to a fulfilling life.
It is important to find the right counsellor, someone who the child, young person and/or their family feels comfortable and connected with. The best way for you to get a sense of who I am and to see how I can help is with a free, no-obligation 15-minute telephone consultation. Please get in touch if I can help.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have 15 years experience of working with children in mainstream and special educational schools supporting their social, emotional and mental health, for the past 18 months I have been working as a school counsellor.
- Level 7, PGdip in Counselling Children and Young People
Working with neurodivergence, psychological issues including trauma, attachment, bereavement and loss, identifying presenting problems, diagnosis and outcome measures. - BA(Hons) Child and Adolescent Studies
Understanding of children's rights, childhood development theories, neurodivergence, safeguarding, child protection, and mental health issues' effects on children.
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Additional information
Free 15 min. telephone consultation
50 min. Face-to-face, long and short-term sessions
Please contact me to discuss concessions
Further information
CPD:
- BACP: Working with Domestic Abuse in CYPF
- Attention Autism
- Sensory processing
- Understanding PDA
