About me
Are you concerned about the emotional or psychological well-being of an child or young person? Do they seem overly anxious or depressed? Struggling with relationships? Avoiding going to school or social situations? Do they find it hard to manage ordinary expectations or behave in ways which you find increasingly hard to cope with?
I am a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, (full member of the Association of Child Psychotherapists) working in independent practice after 10 years NHS CAMHS. I provide a wide range of counselling and psychotherapy services for children, young people and families (including kinship) depending upon individual needs. Many children grow up adapting to separated parents and blended families which causes additional challenges for them.
I know how troubling emotional and psychological difficulties can be for children and their families, and how important it is for the right help to be found at the earliest possible stage.
What can I help with?
I specialise in working with children where there are complex difficulties which have otherwise been hard to treat. Families often come to me after other interventions haven't helped enough. Many children have experienced single event traumas as well as complex developmental trauma which has left a lasting impact. Increasingly parents of children with diagnosis of ADHD and ASD are requesting my help.
I treat difficulties such as:
Anxiety, depression, behaviour problems, developmental issues, separation anxiety, ADHD, ASD, phobias, school refusal, eating disorders, self-harming actions, learning difficulties and disabilities, complex personality traits and emotional difficulties arising after bereavement, parental ill-health, trauma and the consequences of abuse and maltreatment.
Sigs of emotional difficulties in young children
Very young children may become withdrawn, or exhibit behaviour which is challenging. They may have difficulties with sleeping, eating, crying and sometimes toileting. They may struggle with learning, friendships, bullying, excessive worrying or obsessive behaviours. Children can have fears, nightmares, psychosomatic symptoms and may not be able to explain, or even know, what is really troubling them.
What are the worrying signs in older children?
Teenagers and young people are deeply affected, and severely challenged, by high states of anxiety and depression. Many teenagers experience severe mood swings and feel unable to cope with friendships and educational pressures. This can contribute to social anxiety and panic attacks. They become withdrawn, exhausted and some may develop psychosomatic disorders. Some young people communicate their emotional distress with self-harming behaviours and suicidal thoughts.
Today, many ordinary developmental challenges and anxieties are increased manifold through pressures created through social media, cyber bullying and risks posed by online activities.
What about children and young people with Additional Needs?
I welcome enquiries about helping children and young people who struggle additionally because of challenges with Autism, ADHD, Learning Difficulties and early childhood trauma.
Often very young children, or those with additional needs, miss out on specialist help at a time when they really need it, because they can't talk about their worries in the way that older children and adults usually do. Using creative approaches and play has proved effective in helping very young children, and children with additional needs. We work together to enable individual means of communication to develop.
If my child is struggling in education can you help?
Having worked within mainstream education for ten years (as an English and drama teacher) I have a strong interest in the relationship between children’s learning and their emotional experiences. I have a special interest in helping children and young people who struggle with learning and with social relationships.
As a therapist I have worked extensively with educational organisations across developmental stages including: nursery schools; primary schools; mainstream secondary schools; further education colleges and special educational needs provisions. I have a lot of experience and ongoing professional interest in autism.
I aim to help children and young people to understand and better cope with emotional difficulties which prevent their learning and development, and hamper their flourishing in educational environments.
What is it like to see a child psychotherapist?
Every child is unique and relationships are ever changing. When we work together, I will be flexible, responding to the requirements at the time and the age and developmental needs of your child, teenager or you as a young person.
Child Psychotherapy is (most usually) a non-directive form of therapy. The immediate needs of the child or young person are of paramount importance. I aim to provide a safe space where I can help your child, teenager or young person to make sense of their confusions, fears and upsets and turmoil in order to reduce anxiety and distress.
Working within a therapeutic relationship supports children in developing confidence in other relationships in their day-to-day lives. I promote the importance of creativity and play in development and in the recovery of health and well-being.
For a young child, simple creative equipment and toys are provided to enable exploration, expression and shared understanding through play. Often younger children are given a therapy box which is private to them. Children may use a dolls’ house, art materials or musical instruments. Children often share their worries and fears through expressive drawings and enacting stories through play.
Older children and teenagers may prefer to talk, and equally many find talking very difficult. I am to gently help them to find ways to express themselves and some young people also enjoy the opportunity to use art materials.
For children and teenagers, I offer a comfortable space where we can work together to enable communication in its many forms. Each individual will have their own unique way of communicating and I will adapt to this. I have a personal and professional interest in the practice of mindfulness. I am a trained EMDR therapist and use bodily based practices when helpful.
Training, qualifications & experience
- EMDR qualification, EMDR Europe (May 2025)
- Doctorate-level Professional Masters in Child Psych Psych (2013)
- University of East London & Tavistock & Portman Clinic London
- Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist Professional Qualification (2011)
- Tavistock&Portman Clinic/Northern School of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
- Dip Phil in Infant Observation Studies (2007) Northumbria University
- Master of Arts Creative Studies (2004) Northumbria University
- PGCE: English and Drama (1998) Durham University
- BA (Hons) English and Related Arts (1994) Leeds University
I have worked professionally with children and families for 25 years.
Between 2007 & 2018, I practiced in NHS CAMHS, including specialist services for looked-after and adopted children. I am registered with the Association of Child Psychotherapists and work within their professional and ethical guidelines. I am registered on the DBS update service.
I am very experienced in working with other professionals who work in children’s services within health & social care and education. I’ve worked extensively with the complex networks around children in care. I have worked in community outreach: for example, nurseries, schools and children’s centres. I have provided CPD for professionals working with children, teaching Infant Observation Skills and Infant Mental Health.
Until 2007, I worked as an English and Drama teacher in secondary education. I enjoyed teaching children of all abilities, particularly those who struggled with special educational needs such as autism, learning difficulties, and challenging behaviours. Also highly academic teenagers who were suffering with anxiety and depression, sometimes showing as eating disorders or obsessional behaviours, and social anxiety.
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
Psychotherapy for infants & nursery age children, older children, teenagers, and young people who are looked after in foster care or residential settings. Specialist in working with autism and additional needs.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Costs of Appointments:-
- Individual appointments for fee-paying families cost £75
- Supervision and Professional Consultation fees to be agreed
