About Me

The support I offer gives children and young people (between the ages of 3-18) a safe, confidential space and the tools they need to explore what is going on for them. I strive to understand their difficulties, from their perspective, enabling them to make sense of their world and experiences.

As a parent it's hard to watch your child struggle with difficult behaviours and emotions, to see them suffer through loss or trauma, or, to know what to do if they are harming themselves. I am also able to offer support to parents support during these difficult times.

Relationships form the core of my work, I engage a child or young person in truly meaningful dialogue for profound personal change. Over time this relationship can enable the child to widen the relational options with themselves and others, and fulfil their potential. Meeting a child where they are emotionally may involve more than just talking. I also facilitate communication through the use of different art forms including sand-tray, paints, pencils, clay, music, collage, poetry, drama, puppets, working with dreams, bodywork and music. These mediums enable the child or young person to show their feelings and experiences. This allows for these overwhelming states to be externalised, contained and worked through, enabling the child to understand their emotional life and find their own solutions and resilience.

The length and type of therapy offered is dependent upon the needs of the child or young person and is decided upon in collaboration with the child and their family, following an initial assessment.


My Qualifications and Professional Associations:
I am registered with UKCP and uphold their code of ethics; I completed a four-year Post Graduate Clinical, Masters Degree in Integrative Child Psychotherapy in 2013. I undertake regular professional development courses and conferences, together with safeguarding training. I hold an enhanced DBS certificate and have Professional Liability Insurance. In addition to my clinical work, I lecture at the University of Cambridge on the Postgraduate Child and Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counselling Programme.

My Theoretical Orientation:
My approach is Integrative and informed primarily by Attachment Theory and Object Relations, which both assert the primacy of relational needs. I use both talking and the arts to facilitate communication and apply the most recent neurobiological research to underpin my interventions. I also draw strategies from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) when appropriate.

Contact:
My offices are based in Bury St. Edmunds. If you would like to discuss your concerns regarding your child or young person, please contact me on my mobile 07989976191, or via email oktober@suffolkcp.com. I know that it can be hard to make this first call so if I am unable to pick up your call, please text me or leave me a voice message with your name and contact details, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

This member has completed UKCP Covid-19 Online Working Guidance

I work with

• Children and young people
• Families
• Private healthcare referrals

Special Interests

Like all UKCP registered psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors I can work with a wide range of issues, but here are some areas in which I have a special interest or additional experience.

Types of Therapies Offered

• Integrative Child Psychotherapist