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I currently have some availability to see clients face-to-face on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings at The Teddington Wellbeing Centre https://www.wellbeingteddington.com/ 

 I also have some online availability for adolescents and for parents seeking Therapeutic parent consultations. 

I am an Integrative child psychotherapist working with children, adolescents and parents. 

I hold an MA in Integrative child psychotherapy and a Postgraduate diploma in the Therapeutic use of the Arts, both from IATE (The Institute of Arts in Therapy and Education). I am also a qualified Secondary school teacher and completed my first degree at Oxford University (MA Theology).

I have been working with children aged 4-18 for 17 years, first as a teacher and now as a therapist.  I am passionate about supporting the mental health of young people and assisting parents and teachers in this endeavor. 

As an Integrative psychotherapist I am informed by a variety of theories and techniques including attachment theories, psychodynamic models, neurobiology and developmental psychology. Central to my approach however is the value I place on the relationship between myself and the young person I am supporting. I aim to provide a safe and empathic space for a child/ young person to express their feelings and identify their difficulties with my assistance. 

Conversation in sessions can take the form of verbal dialogue or, (especially for younger children) can evolve through the mediums of art and play: the natural language of children.  This can bring depth as well as fun to the sessions.

During a typical session I stay alongside the child as a guide, to help identify & untangle difficulties, to offer an appropriate level of challenge and to shine light on different perspectives. I work within the landscape of symbol and metaphor and also take seriously the unconscious communications of my clients (and consider how these relate to their experiences outside of the therapy room).  

Sessions usually take place at the same time each week and can be short term (6-12 sessions) or ongoing with regular reviews. I suggest to parents of children under 15 that we meet at least once termly to review how things are going. 

I also offer Therapeutic parent consultations for parents whose children are not attending therapy. These online  sessions can be booked flexibly. As a child psychotherapist I am able to think carefully and non-judgementally with you about your child's difficulties. My aim is to help you to gain insights into problematic behaviours and to help you to feel better equipped to support your child. 

Child& adolescent psychotherapy sessions and Therapeutic parent consultations are confidential. If a client discloses information indicating that there is significant risk to safety or wellbeing, I may find it necessary to take this information outside of therapy to relevant professionals.  Wherever possible I would inform my client before this happened. 

I receive regular clinical supervision to support my practice but identities are not revealed. 

Our work together begins with a slightly longer assessment session. This is an opportunity for parents to share information about the reasons for referral and for me to gather relevant family history. It is also an opportunity for you to ask more about how I work.  

Adolescents usually attend their own assessment sessions with or without their parents.