About Me
I am a Counselling Psychologist working with people across all stages of development. I have a special interest in children and young people’s mental health, offering a range of bespoke child and adolescent treatments and therapies. I have been privileged to work in the field for over 15 years, having worked both in private practice and in the NHS, in specialist child and adolescent services.
I offer specialist services to children, adolescents and their families experiencing a range of different challenges, such as:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma
• ADHD
• Social anxiety
• OCD
• Behavioural Difficulties
• Separation Anxiety
• Bullying
• Parental Separation
• Bereavement
• Bonding and Attachment difficulties
• Parenting support and guidance
What I offer
• Individual Psychological Therapy (Up to 60 minutes)
The initial appointment with your child will involve an assessment of their mental health needs and identifying goals for their care. Therapeutic treatment plans are guided by the outcome of a comprehensive mental health assessment and in collaboration with the young person and their family/carers. The initial mental health assessment may require additional time (i.e. up to 90 minutes), which will be discussed with you and your child.
Individual therapy sessions are typically attended weekly in person or online, with regular reviews of therapeutic goals and progress. I draw on a range of therapeutic models, working integratively to provide support that is tailored to your child’s needs.
Liaison with school, and other agencies involved in supporting your child, can be a very important part of the work – this will be discussed with you and your child as appropriate.
• ADHD Assessment Clinic (Up to 180 minutes)
ADHD is understood as a neurodevelopmental difference with children and young people who often exhibit difficulties in the areas of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. It can also affect emotional regulation and control, working memory and interpersonal skills.
Our assessments are National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) compliant. We produce a detailed assessment report and recommendations for further support for both home and school. Following assessment and diagnosis we can offer a number of educational, behavioural and therapeutic interventions if indicated and can support you through the post-diagnostic journey.
Our assessments include:
• A detailed ADHD assessment including a mental health review by a psychiatrist and psychologist.
• Pre-assessment questionnaires
• A QB Check (Quantitative Behaviour Check)
• Detailed report with treatment plan
• Access to post diagnostic support: there are two treatment pathways: Non-pharmacological pathway which offers behavioural and therapeutic support to your child and also parenting support. Non-Pharmacological support involving CBT, Sleep Hygiene, psychoeducation on the importance of nutrition and exercise, mindfulness practice, and additional therapeutic support for related conditions such as anxiety and depression which can often co-occur.
• Pharmacological Pathway involves considerations for medication– I work alongside a highly respected Child and adolescent Psychiatrist who can offer expertise and oversight over medication.
• It might also be the case that both pathways are considered to optimise support.
• School liaison and consultations with other professionals who might be involved in supporting your child to ensure that your child is supported holistically, is also an important element of your child’s care.
• Supervision Services
Clinical supervision is available to a range of professionals, both online and in person.
Training & Qualifications
•PHD (Psychology)
• MA (Counselling Psychology)
• BA Honours (Psychology)
• BA Honours (Sociology)
• BA (Psychology & Sociology)
• PGCE
I am trained in Narrative therapy, Systemic therapy, CBT and Person-centred therapy and have received additional training in Play therapy, DBT and EMDR.
Fees
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Assessment
• Initial Appointment (£100 – Up to 60 minutes)
This involves meeting with parent(s)/caregiver(s) to acquire a thorough developmental history and understanding of your child’s current needs. You are welcome to bring your young person along to the initial appointment.
• Initial Young Person Assessment (£150 -Up to 90 minutes)
This session is an opportunity for me to work directly with your child to assess their mental health. This involves discussion, observations and completion of questionnaires and activities to begin to explore and understand their inner world and experiences. This is done in a child-centred manner and at their pace.
Following the assessment, I will share my recommendations and propose a care plan with you and your child. Recommendations will be based on identified needs and the goals of the young person and parent/caregiver. Holistic support is very important, thinking about your child’s needs across contexts, such as behavioural support, in-school support strategies, strategies for the home, interpersonal skills strategies to support healthy peer relationships and emotion regulation strategies. If we feel therapeutic support would be helpful, we can look to scheduling sessions, with regular reviews and feedback pencilled in with parents to support the therapeutic work (this will be explained to you in detail during the initial consultation).
**It might be that 90 minutes is too long for some young people, or that we may need additional time to complete the assessment – this can be discussed with parents during the initial meeting and/or to update parents on progress following the initial assessment if more time is required.
Individual Psychological Therapy (£100 – Up to 60 minutes)
Individual sessions are offered in person and online. Therapeutic interventions are discussed with the young person and family which are selected to address their mental health needs and therapeutic goals, with regular reviews to track progress. I draw on the following treatment modalities; Narrative therapy, Systemic therapy, CBT and Person-centred therapy and have received additional training in Play therapy, DBT and EMDR.
ADHD Assessment Clinic
ADHD Initial Assessment (£999 – Up to 180 minutes)
• A detailed ADHD assessment including a mental health review by a psychiatrist and psychologist
• Pre-assessment questionnaires
• A QB Check (Quantitative Behaviour Check)
• Detailed report with treatment plan
• Access to post diagnosis support: Medication or Conservative Treatment. We can explore a treatment path (pharmacological or non-pharmacological and on some cases both are chosen). Individual non-pharmacological support is delivered 1:1 and tailored to your child’s goals and needs. Pharmacological treatment can be supported by Dr Nima Leffler (Consultant Psychiatrist) who was part of the assessing team, or a psychiatrist of your choice.
Support Sessions (£100 – Up to 60 minutes)
Non-Pharmacological support involving CBT, Sleep Hygiene, psychoeducation on the importance of nutrition and exercise, mindfulness practice, and additional therapeutic support for related conditions such as anxiety and depression which can often co-occur
Fees are payable via BACS transfer in advance of the appointment. Please note that at least 48 hours notice of cancellation must be given otherwise the full fee will be payable.