Services & frequently asked questions
FAMILY & systemic THERAPY
Family therapy works with the idea that the difficulties we experience are connected and shaped by our relationships and the contexts in which we exist. For example, in a family system, if someone is hurt or harmed it is very likely it is going to have an effect on other members of the caring system. Each family member in the caring system will respond or seemingly not respond in their own ways, it this may trigger a response in others. Rather than focusing only on individual difficulties, this therapeutic approach explores the wider context in which these experiences have developed, creating space for deeper understanding, slowing down and more a more sustainable change.
For more detailed information please see: https://www.aft.org.uk/page/whatisfamilytherapy
I can work with complex family systems, and families, blended families, families connected through kinship care and families where children have been adopted or fostered.
In my work with families I will use a combination of talking and creative methods. Sometimes I might see the whole family together and at other times see part of the family such as parents or children or siblings.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS
I am trained to offer therapeutic support to both children, young people and adults and have experience in working across the life span with children and adults with moderate to severe mental health difficulties which may exist alongside diagnosed or suspected neurodivergent needs such as Autism and ADHD. I am experienced in working with people from a variety of social, cultural and religious backgrounds, and endeavour to create a space where you feel able to talk about your experiences.
Psychotherapy with Children
When working with children I like to use creative materials as well as a talking based approach. As I work systemically, I typically offer parent sessions or sibling sessions if indicated alongside the sessions with the young person. I am keen to use feedback from children, young people and carers in my sessions to ensure we continue to work together well.
Psychotherapy with Adults
I am able to offer individual therapy to adults. You may be looking for a brief intervention or we may meet for a longer period of time. My approach will be flexible based on your needs. I will actively seek your feedback to make sure that together we create a therapeutic relationship where change can be explored and to work towards your hopes/goals.
couples therapy
I offer therapy to couples, this is sometimes called couples or relationship therapy. In relationships, communication can become strained, distance may grow, conflict may become ever present or repetitive. There are many reasons for considering couples therapy; it could be for a specific problem or dilemma or something more broad. Some of the reasons for reaching out might include:
-wishing to talk about how to end (separate or divorce) well
-wider family dynamics impacting your couple relationship such as extended family members
-The impact of children on your couple relationship
-Wanting a space to reflect on the emotional impact of an IVF or conceiving journey.
-A space to talk to keep your relationship in an emotionally healthy place.
frequently asked questions...
I offer an initial 20 minute telephone call to talk through your reason for making contact and to see if we may be a good fit to work together. In that call you may wish go ahead and book in an initial session or you can take some time to decide. Either is fine. If you do decide to go ahead I would usually like to meet 1-3 times to assess/understand your difficulties in more detail. Within a systemic approach, we consider this assessment period to be part of an intervention. If I am not able to help, or if you decide you would like a different approach I will always do my best to signpost you on to other colleagues or services who might be of interest/more suited to you.
This is a good question. With the systemic approach I take in my work, I am always thinking about the relational impact of a difficulty on other family members or others in the system as well as the young person who has the difficulty. An initial 20 minute conversation may help to understand and determine this. Or if further clarity is needed, beyond the 20 minute consultation, we can meet for a few (1-3) sessions as part of an assessment and make a decision of how to go on from there. Your child may be engaged in 1:1 therapy elsewhere and you may wish to undertake family therapy with me alongside this, which I am very open to supporting.
Your child may be struggling and you feel that therapy might make sense. Many children and young people can be open to therapy to see if it may help, while others may not. There could be many reasons for this apprehension such as not knowing what to expect, the stress of coming to meet a unknown person/therapist or to perhaps further avoid the difficulty as it feels too painful. I would be happy to talk this through with you in a phone conversation to understand what might be happening.
In this call, we can think of some creative ways to help your child feel more comfortable about attending or it may be that we have some parent/carer sessions to support you as well or until your child feels able. Within a systemic approach we consider that supporting the system around a young person can also have positive effects on the wellbeing of others to feel more emotionally robust to cope with their child who may be suffering. I would work with the idea of supporting the carers to be able to support their young person.
Yes! I work with children and adults across the lifespan. Adult children sometimes want to discuss issues they have from their childhood with their parent/carers as feel more able to do so as an adult or they may be at a transition point in their own lives (e.g becoming parents themselves, children moving out) and making connections to their past and or wanting to let go of others. A systemic or family therapy intervention can be a useful approach to come together to make sense of this. I sometimes see a parents of a family while their adult child meets a different systemic psychotherapist so we can stay somewhat connected without breaking confidentiality and the family receives the same therapeutic model for continuity.
Sometimes therapeutic relationships do not work, we may discover we are not a good fit, or a presenting need may need different expertise or therapeutic approach. I would always encourage you to have a chat with me about ending first, even if it is to simply say bye! If you decide you would like a different approach I will always do my best to signpost you on to other colleagues or services who might be of interest or use to you.
Non – Violent Resistance (NVR) is a parenting and systemic therapeutic approach that aims to help families/carers manage violent or self-destructive behaviours in children, including child on parent verbal and physical harm. It emphasises the importance of maintaining a non-violent stance while addressing conflicts and fostering positive relationships.
