I offer both face to face counselling and online counselling using Zoom/Skype. The fee for a 50-minute session is £50, and is payable by bank transfer (BACS) or cash.
The counselling I offer is integrative, evidenced-based, effective and selected to meet the needs of the individual child or adolescent.
My approach includes:
Cognitive and behavioural therapies – these are collaborative therapies that aim to address the biased thinking habits which negatively impact mood, behaviours & actions. By challenging the problematic thinking and cultivating new ways of understanding children and young people are able to make positive change.
Humanistic therapies – Humanistic therapy describes a range of different types of therapy that focus on a child or young person as an individual with unique potential and abilities. Instead of concentrating on what is wrong with them. This type of therapy is more focused on helping them overcome their difficulties through personal growth.
Mindfulness – Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens. Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them, without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future.
Jungian therapy – Jung’s therapy emphasises helping children and young people find their true selves, and it often uses tools like art and myth to help children and young people make contact with these deep feelings, thoughts, and beliefs. In addition, Jungian therapy involves getting in touch with the unconscious mind, which Jung believed plays a large role in shaping thoughts and behaviour.
Interpersonal therapy – interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a short-term treatment that is effective in treating depression in children. It is based on the idea that depression occurs in the context of an individual’s relationships. The IPT model identifies four general areas in which a person may be having relationship difficulties. These are, grief after the loss of a loved one, conflict in significant relationships, difficulties adapting to changes in relationships or life circumstances and difficulties stemming from social isolation.
During sessions I can help the child or young person to identify areas in need of skill-building to improve his or her relationships and decrease the depressive symptoms. Over time, the child learns to link changes in mood to things happening in his/her relationships, communicate feelings and expectations for his/her relationships, and problem-solve solutions to difficulties in the relationships.
Play and Art therapy – Play and art have always been a medium for self-expression, helping children and young people communicate their thoughts, emotions, and stories. During sessions I engage children and young people in the creative process to promote communication and healing. Due to the non-verbal nature of creating art, this type of therapy is ideal for children and young people who have a hard time talking about their feelings. Art therapy also engages the senses and is a great fit for children and young people who gravitate towards visual and tactile activities
Walk and Talk Therapy – Walk and talk therapy can be an especially helpful method of working for children and young people who don’t have the opportunity to get out into nature very often and for those who feel as if they thrive better when they do. I have learnt that having therapeutic conversations with clients in the great outdoors, either while walking, sitting in a wooded clearing, or a mixture of both, adds a totally different and positive dynamic to the experience.