Introductory call 
I offer a 20-minute phone call to see whether I am the best fit for you or your child and how I can best support you. Following this I may meet you and/or your child for an initial session depending on what may feel most appropriate.

If I believe a different type of therapy would be better suited to your needs, I will let you know and, if I can, I will make an onward recommendation.

Child/ Adolescent Pre-therapy Parent Session

With child and adolescent clients, I meet with parents/carers for an initial session to talk more about what your concerns may be for your child, explore the challenges they may be facing and what your own hopes are from therapy. As this initial session forms part of the needs assessment for your child, I will also ask about your child’s life and developmental history, and family background, as well as gather information about what they are like and enjoy doing. This helps me build a picture of them, and also informs how I may work with them.

I generally agree a review session after 6-8 weeks. We will also discuss whether we will aim for a finite number of sessions, or whether for now it would be better for your child to have open-ended therapy for the time being.

First session (Adults)

In our first session, we will talk more about the therapy that I offer and what has brought you to therapy. We will explore the challenges that you may be facing and what you seek from therapy. This session forms part of my assessment of your needs so that I can reflect on how to manage our sessions together. We will usually agree a review period and whether we will aim for a finite number of sessions, or whether you prefer for the therapy to be open-ended for the time being.

First session (Children/Adolescents)

Therapy is one-to-one and parents are not usually permitted into the therapy room. I usually hold the pre-therapy parent meeting in the same therapy room so that you can get a feel for the space your child will be in. In my first session with your child, I will introduce myself and talk a bit about what therapy is for and hear from them what they would like from therapy (if age appropriate). There will be materials and equipment available for your child to use as they wish. I will talk through the practicalities of the therapy (time, day, what we may do and confidentiality) and I will explain how I am there to help and support them. We might play or they may make a piece of art, which will be kept in their therapy folder, which I will supply, until therapy end.

What happens in therapy?

With any client, whatever age, the first few sessions form part of the assessment process. These sessions are also part of building trust between us and I am careful to go gently at your pace throughout therapy. With children and adolescents we may play, or use arts and crafts to explore aspects of their experience as we get used to each other and the client begins to use the materials in the room. With adults, I will listen to whatever you may bring to the therapeutic space for exploration and seek to help you make sense of your experience. I may offer arts based interventions and/ or mindfulness techniques depending on your needs and interests.

What does it feel like?

Regardless of the type of therapy, research evidence has shown time and time again that the most effective aspect of successful therapy is the therapeutic relationship. Empathy, non-judgement, unconditional positive regard, congruence and authenticity are all important and these are defining aspects of my practice.

I am an open and warm person, and work relationally with clients with a focus on attachment. My practice is also person-centred, meaning that I am non-directive unless there is a robust clinical reason for bringing in specific interventions e.g., mindfulness or grounding techniques, CBT. This also means that I adapt to each of my client’s individual needs and believe in their innate capacity to heal and grow.

Therapy is a dedicated space that is solely for you. It is protected time for you to bring whatever it is you would like to explore or reflect on together. If you are an adult, we will usually sit on comfortable chairs sitting opposite each other with perhaps some movement or potential creative intervention at times. Children and adolescents will have the option of sitting and/or moving around the room accessing the play and art materials as they wish. For children I adopt a PACE-ful approach (playful, accepting, curious, empathic)s.

Duration of therapy

​Your or your child’s therapy may be short-term or long-term, depending on our discussions and the initial assessment. Sessions last for 50 minutes and are usually weekly. Sessions that are shorter in length may be more appropriate for children under 6. I do not offer sessions in between our allotted time-slots due to other commitments.

Reflective parenting sessions

Following our introductory call, we will decide together in our first session how many reflective parenting sessions feel appropriate for the challenges you may be facing. As a guide, I usually offer 4-8 sessions, however this has varied with some clients. Reflective parenting sessions focus on your concerns for your child and aim to provide greater understanding of their experience and your interactions with them. Whilst they are not therapy, they often include a therapeutic element as we will think about your own process in relation to your child and, if you are open to it, your own experience of being parented in your family of origin and how this may impact your current parenting experiences.

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Fees
The cost of each session is £80.00 and I invoice monthly in advance. Payment is via bank transfer.

I do offer a limited number of concessionary rates, depending on individual circumstances.