My Approach

Educational and Child Psychotherapy (Psychodynamic)
Systemic Practice with Association of Family Therapy (AFT)
Certificate of Best Practice in Outdoor Play Therapy (COOPTUK)
Advanced Diploma in (NDP), neuro-dramatic play and (EPR) 'Embodiment-Projection-Role' sensory work suitable for parents/carers and their very young children. This therapeutic approach is to support synchronicity and “affective attunement” by adopting the principles of PACE: Playfulness, Attunement, Curiosity, Empathy - Hughes (2009).

I have worked in education for over 30 years as a specialist teacher (B.Ed., Hons), with a B.Sc., in Psychology and M.Sc., in Language and Communication. My academic journey, qualifications and expertise have grown as a direct result of my work with children. As an Educational Psychotherapist I have worked with children of all ages in primary and secondary schools, in private practice and in the CAMHS NHS service. My approach is integrative and adapted to reach the needs of the client. Building a trusting relationship and safe environment to invite exploration of barriers around feelings, emotions and/or learning.

My true calling began after teaching Business English abroad. I studied pedagogy and the learning theories of Bruner, Vygotsky and Piaget, whilst specialising in how to bring communication to life through drama and theatre in education and the work of Boal, Freire and Stuart Hall. A decade later, I dug deeper to understand the reactive behaviours of children who struggle to progress owning to underlying hindrance to their receptive and expressive speech, phonics, reading and literacy. At this point at masters level, I gained insights into assessment for developmental language disorder, DLD and speech, language and communication needs, SLCN. Yet I felt I was still missing a piece of the puzzle. Finally whilst working as a school senior leader, I chose to pursue psychoanalytic studies which gave me a stronger grasp on how to recognise what is going on for children who struggle to learn. I discovered how children’s learning is impacted by their inner world and how barriers to learning may be linked to anxieties, trauma and/or attachment styles. Having become a life-long learner, most recently I have trained at the Tavistock Clinic to work within the wider context of the child, to invite conversation around identity, culture and family. In addition to work with CYP and families I work with schools. My work with schools focuses on improving staff understanding of SEMH, emotions in the classroom and Trauma Informed Interventions. I also support the development of whole school strategies for vulnerable and hard to reach pupils who need a specialist approach.

Initial enquiries are received through email. I provide a free consultation to discuss next steps and my availability.

About Me

As an Educational and Child Psychotherapist I offer short-term and long-term work privately and in schools. This is usually 1:1 with children and young people who struggle to achieve their potential or are held back by emotional distress and anxiety. I also provide group Talk-Time sessions in schools and privately. This is systemic work based around family challenges and invites conversation around identity, relationships, communication and learning. Talk-Time is helpful for siblings, or individual children and parent(s), or other family members, who may be looking for an opportunity to connect.

I work with

• Children and young people
• Families

Types of Therapies Offered

• Educational Psychotherapist

What I can help with

• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Autism
• Bereavement
• Mental Health Issues
• Separation
• Trauma