About me
About me
I am an Integrative Child and Adolescent Counsellor and Therapeutic Wellbeing Practitioner offering counselling to children, teenagers and young adults aged 4–25 in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.
How I can help
I offer a warm, accepting and non-judgemental space where young people can explore what is happening in their lives and begin to make sense of difficult thoughts, feelings or experiences.
I work with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, low mood and depression, self-esteem and confidence, emotional regulation and overwhelm, school anxiety and Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), trauma and PTSD, neurodivergence, friendship and relationship difficulties, bullying, bereavement, family change, identity and life transitions.
My approach
My approach is tailored to the individual rather than following a fixed programme. I work in a neurodivergence-affirming and trauma-informed way, and sessions may include talking therapy alongside creative arts, therapeutic play, mindfulness, sensory activities or nature-based approaches.
Working together
I offer both individual counselling and therapeutic wellbeing support, with the way we work adapted to age, developmental stage, strengths, interests and individual needs.
Training, qualifications & experience
Experience
I have over 24 years' experience supporting children, young people and adults across educational, therapeutic and community settings in the UK and internationally.
Qualifications & Professional Training
My core professional training includes a Diploma in Counselling Teenagers from the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education, a Level 6 Diploma in Wellbeing Practice for Children, Adolescents and their Families, and a 200-hour yoga teacher training.
Specialist Training
I have undertaken extensive additional training in areas particularly relevant to my work with children and young people, including trauma, neurodiversity, emotional regulation, bereavement, mindfulness, therapeutic play, creative approaches and nature-based practice.
This includes Children's Accelerated Trauma Technique (CATT), specialist neurodiversity training through PESI, training with Child Bereavement UK, Walk and Talk Eco-Therapy training and Rhythm to Recovery.
Experience in Schools
I have worked in both state and independent schools and have helped establish wellbeing services within two private schools. My experience includes providing one-to-one counselling, wellbeing support, groups and drop-in services, as well as working collaboratively with schools, families and other professionals.
Professional Registration & Development
I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and work in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework. I undertake regular clinical supervision and continuing professional development.
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.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 per session
Additional information
Your First Step
I offer a free 20-minute discovery call for prospective clients and parents/carers. This is an opportunity to ask questions, talk through what you are looking for and explore whether counselling with me feels like the right fit.
Referral & Parent/Carer Consultation
If you decide to proceed, I will ask you to complete a referral form to provide an initial overview of the concerns and what support is being sought.
I then offer a paid parent/carer consultation via Zoom. This gives us time to explore relevant history and gather a fuller picture of the young person’s needs, including any safeguarding or additional support considerations. This forms an important part of the assessment process before the initial sessions with the child or young person begin.
Initial Assessment
The first one or two sessions with the child or young person are charged at my usual session rate. These sessions give us time to get to know one another, complete the initial assessment and consider whether counselling with me is appropriate and beneficial.
Ongoing Counselling
If we agree that counselling is appropriate following the assessment, we will begin with an initial block of six weekly sessions. Sessions are usually 50 minutes.
Following this initial block, we will review the work together and agree any further sessions as appropriate. The frequency of sessions and any additional services, such as written reports, will always be discussed and agreed in advance.
Fees & Cancellation
My current fees and cancellation policy are available on request and can also be discussed during the initial enquiry.
Further information
The Therapeutic Relationship
I believe the therapeutic relationship is at the heart of effective counselling. I aim to build trusting relationships where young people feel respected, listened to and accepted, while supporting them to develop greater self-awareness, confidence and emotional resilience.
A Space That Grows With Them
For children and younger teenagers, therapy may involve play and creative approaches alongside talking. As young people grow older, I place increasing emphasis on their autonomy and their need for a confidential space that feels like their own.
Working with Parents & Carers
Parents and carers have an important role in supporting a young person’s wellbeing, but they are not routinely part of counselling sessions. Where appropriate, I maintain communication with parents or carers while respecting the young person’s privacy and developing independence.
Confidentiality is an important part of the therapeutic relationship. However, where there are safeguarding or significant concerns about a young person’s safety or the safety of others, information may need to be shared in line with my professional and legal responsibilities. I will aim to discuss this with the young person wherever possible.
Reviewing the Work
Counselling is not a one-size-fits-all process. I regularly review how things are going with the young person and, where appropriate, with parents or carers. This helps us consider whether the work continues to meet their needs and whether any changes to the support offered may be helpful.
