‘Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.’ (Goethe)
Work with Adults
I am currently working with adult clients on a range of issues including:
Complex-PTSD
Trauma
Bereavement and other forms of loss
Eating disorders
Relationship difficulties
Divorce
Sexual issues and issues relating to sexuality
Low self-esteem
Parenting
Depression
Anxiety
OCD
I can adapt my approach to each client and my aim is always to meet you where you are. Although I am largely client-led, I will suggest interventions when I feel they might be of use.
These could include visualisation, somatic-sensing, image or dreamwork. Through harnessing the power of the creative imagination, it is possible to access insight and wisdom which can be harder to reach through talking alone.
How it works
If you would like to book a free 15-minute consultation, I would be happy to talk through any questions you might have about the process and what is involved. This would be either a video call or on the phone.
If you decide to proceed, our first meeting would be an assessment session in which I will get an overview of what is bringing you into therapy, as much contextual information as possible, and what your goals are.
I will then give you a contract which sets out the terms of our arrangement such as confidentiality etc. Once you have agreed to this, we will begin.
I am happy to work online or in-person with adult clients.
Work with Children and Young People
I have worked with children and young people on a range of presenting issues including:
ADHD
Body image
Anxiety (e.g. General, Social, Exam)
Abuse (e.g. emotional, physical, sexual and neglect)
Depression
Trauma
Self-Harm
Suicidal Ideation
Affect Regulation
Behaviour Regulation
Relationship Difficulties
School Difficulties (e.g. bullying, school
refusal)
Gender Dysphoria
‘Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’
(Mary Oliver)
Children (5-11 years)
Therapeutic work with children up until the age of 10 or 11 is often conducted through the medium of play. It is through the important work of play that the child’s inner struggles and conflicts can be expressed, explored and often resolved. To facilitate this, I work in a fully equipped therapeutic playroom’ in Maida Vale, London.
How it works:
With younger children, I would normally meet the parent(s) first for an assessment session to get as much information as possible about why they are seeking therapy for their child. In the next session, both parent(s) and child will be together for some of the session and then depending on how the child feels about it, I will have some time alone with them. Subsequent sessions will normally just be for the child alone, but if they are more comfortable to have the parent there for some of the time, that is absolutely fine.
‘I would there were no age between sixteen and twenty-three or that youth would sleep out the rest; for there is nothing in between but getting wenches with child, wronging the ancientry, stealing, fighting.’
(William Shakespeare – A Winter’s Tale)
Young People (11-17 years)
I have worked for seven years in educational contexts with young people from Year 7 to Year 13 from a wide range of backgrounds, presenting with a variety of difficulties. Working with young people is similar to working with adults, in that therapy provides a space for them to come to understand themselves and their life situation within the context of a supportive and trustworthy relationship.
There are many additional challenges that young people face growing up in the Digital Age, which can exacerbate the perennial difficulties that the huge transition of adolescence has always presented (as evidenced in the quote above!). I offer a range of techniques and approaches, from various games and prompt cards that can open up channels of communication, to CBT techniques and psychoeducation to help a young person develop a sense of mastery over their experience.
Although I prefer to work in-person, it is possible to work effectively with this age-group online. However, this will depend on the complexity of the issue as well as the age and capacity of the individual. I will therefore complete a risk assessment before online therapy can be offered.
How it works:
I am open to different ways of approaching the beginning of therapy with young people depending on their age, capacity and how they want to proceed. Sometimes I will meet the parent(s) first to get a sense of what is bringing them into therapy. Sometimes it can be parent and child together, or just the young person on their own.
Young people can also self-refer to therapy.
For more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch. I am happy to arrange a free 15-minute telephone or video call to answer any questions you may have.
Supervision
I offer professional supervision to other therapists working with adults, children or young people. My approach follows the Seven-Eyed Model developed by Robin and Joan Shohet and is collaborative and supportive whilst also being challenging and exploratory.
I continue to work with individuals and groups and have supervised both qualified therapists and trainees at several organisations including the Ruth Strauss Foundation, Ealing Abbey Counselling Service and CCPE.