Mandy Dadswell UKCP acc. Teenager/child Psychotherapist

Training, qualifications & experience

Child, teenager and adult Psychotherapist

Masters in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
Diploma in Psychotherapeutic counselling adult and child
Degree (Honours) in Psychology
Diploma in Person Centred counselling
Diploma in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
Life coaching Certificate
Training in therapeutic art and play
Mindfulness based therapy
Safeguarding children and young people
Working with young people - various qualifications and experience (CAMHS trained)
Solution Focused work
Transactional Analysis
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Gamcare trained
St Michaels trained in bereavement support and CBT
Working with couples
Accredited by UKCP
Level 1 Dyadic Development Psychotherapy - working with families
Certificate in Supervision

I work with all age groups. My specialism is in working with children and adolescents. Relationship problems, low self esteem, anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, addictions, self harming are amongst the many issues I can help people with.

I have worked within a wide range of settings that include: a multi national boarding school for 4-18 year olds, secondary and primary education in both individual and group work, in a hospice for long term illness and bereavement.  I have experience in working with physical and mental illness as a result of trauma and addictions. I can offer life coaching and management skills/coping strategies to individuals or as part of group work. I also work with families who feel as their communication skills have broken down.

I am frequently involved in support groups for young people and adults wishing to improve their sense of well being. As well as working privately I also work as part of a training organisation for counsellors and psychotherapists.

I attend regular development groups and on going training sessions which enhance my work and enables me to keep up to date with regulations, policies and modern, up to date ways of working with wellbeing and neuroscience.

Skype and telephone counselling offered.

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Family work.

Help to understand your teen.

Further information

Parenting a teenager can be a difficult task. Constantly worrying about where your child is, who they’re with, and what they’re doing can be exhausting and really stressful. Wondering why your teen frustrates teachers, make such bad decisions, are rebellious and socially anxious. You may loose sleep over failed attempts to communicate, having to manage their moods and emotions, coping with the endless fights and the defiance as well as the impulsive and reckless behaviour.

You may ask yourself  'What happened to my lovely child?'

I may be able to answer your question:  A teenager’s brain is continuing to develop, it has not stopped, therefore their brain processes information differently to an adult’s fully grown brain. The part of the brain used to manage emotions, make decisions, reason, and control inhibitions is constantly restructuring during the teenage years, meaning teens are simply unable to think through things in an adult way. Hormones, produced during adolescence, can further complicate things. The whole brain does not reach full maturity until about the mid-20’s.  'Help' you might think! Fortunately there are ways to help a young person to understand and manage their behaviour, taking account for their actions and controlling their impulsivity. Also by understanding adolescent development, as a parent, you can help find ways to stay connected to your teen and overcome problems together.