Individual Psychotherapy
My training enables me to work with adults and children individually. I offer a flexible and thoughtful approach to individual therapy and work with a range of different presentations.
I offer both short term, time limited and long term psychotherapy.
Online and in person sessions are possible.
I offer a small number of time limited "pay your hourly rate" courses of therapy whereby the cost of sessions is in line with the hourly rate of the person funding the therapy support. My aim with this is to enhance the reach and access to psychological support for those who are at most risk and most vulnerable in our community whom would ordinarily not be able to access psychotherapy due to financial constrains. These courses are time limited (6-8 sessions) so that more children, young people and/or families and supporters get access to psychological support.
I specialise in mental health across the lifespan and whilst we might be working individually together my approach is about appreciating the multiple different contexts of your life and relationships with others and how this may contribute helpfully or unhelpfully to your distress.
I have both personal and professional experience of working with individuals who are neurodiverse. I can adapt my therapeutic offer to suit the spectrum of experience.
Psychotherapy for children and parents:
I have significant experience working in CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health services) and I particularly enjoy working with children and young people. I draw on my creativity and experience of working with complexity. I provide a safe place for young people to explore themselves and their experiences, using words, images or even play. The aim is to always where possible be linking in with parents or parental figures as this can be important in integrating and developing understanding in the Childs caring system. There is of course a need for confidentiality and for a thoughtful negotiation of what is shared, to who and when but my training enables me to navigate the multiple different positions I might take to support a young person through their distress or difficulty. For some young people "therapy" or even talking can seem daunting and I offer a flexible approach to therapeutic conversations. For example some young people are better able to engage in a "walk and talk"session or through playing sport or a game together. We can tailor sessions to where your young person is at, taking it at their pace.
Sometimes as a parent/caregiver you may also require some support in parallel to your young person, we may choose to sometimes meet together as part of the therapy. I can also offer referrals to trusted colleagues who may be able to offer you a separate confidential space should that be needed.
Psychotherapy for adults:
My experience of working individually with adults has been mostly in the context of where there have been multiple and complex traumas/life experiences which has lead to a person having a poor sense of self and connection with others. They may also have sometimes caused harm to themselves or others when distressed. This is not always in the obvious ways we might consider such as self harm or suicidal thoughts/plans but also may be more subtly such as self neglect, problems with eating or using substances etc. I can of course also offer space for other experiences such as anxiety, depression etc too.
I will bring all of my different skills and experiences to putting together a therapy contract which makes sense to you and explores your needs and strengths. I am able to provide quite practically focussed and directive support where this is thought to be helpful to you aswell as being able to hold a more exploratory and reflective space which is more about understanding specific experiences or changes.
Whilst we may work individually together there may be times where you would like a friend, family member or partner to join your sessions. This can be a really powerful experience to be witnessed and held whilst sharing something or being supported to negotiate a difficult conversation. Equally this is not a prerequisite to working with me individually and is only offered if this fits for you. If you want more of an extended course of sessions with another person/persons I would recommend looking at my page which describes the couple and family psychotherapy I offer.
