My Approach

My therapeutic approach is trauma and attachment informed, and I'm particularly curious about how past relationships and early experiences shape our present relationships, feelings, thoughts, and behaviour patterns. My practice draws from a range of developmental psychology, relational and humanistic modalities, as well as the neuroscience of emotion and affect regulation.

I describe myself as a deeply sensitive, engaging practitioner, committed to creating an open and welcoming practice that embraces all forms of expression and diversity, and I honour the unique narrative each person brings to the therapy room.

I hold a safe space for clients to explore meaning in their personal challenges, and when it feels right I will also offer opportunities for creative expression, for times when words alone might not be enough. I also like to integrate body awareness into my practice in ways that resonate with each individual.

Modern living, or unprocessed harmful experiences, can lead to chronic stress and, if not properly nurtured, dysregulation of the nervous system. I truly believe healing can occur within safe and healthy relationships -  including the therapeutic relationship - which can help us reconnect with our true expression of Self, with the significant others we love, and with the wider natural world.

Through working together as part of an unhurried, co-creative therapeutic space, my aim is to help you feel genuinely heard, seen, and valued.

I look forward to working with you.

About Me

" There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you".

                                                                                            —Maya Angelou.

Welcome.

I'm Donna. I've worked in the field of mental health for over 25 years and am an experienced integrative child, adolescent and adult psychotherapist and counsellor.

My psychotherapy training in Transactional Analysis began in the 1990s with the Manchester Institute for Psychotherapy, and I completed my final year with the Wealdon Institute of Psychology, following my move to the south of England in 2007. 

I hold a Master's degree and Counselling Diploma in Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and Counselling from Terapia/Middlesex University.

Alongside my private practice with adults, I work as part of The Therapeutic Consultants (TTC) team of psychotherapists. TTC is a multi-disciplinary mental health organisation specialising in long-term psychotherapy with adopted children and adoptive families through the ASGSF initiative. I also provide long-term psychotherapy with private adults and children more broadly.

Social Work

I am also a qualified social worker. My training specialised in children and families, and my statutory career went on to include front-line child protection work with a range of local authorities.

NHS Assertive Outreach — Care Coordinator (Locum)

Worked as a Locum Care Coordinator within an NHS assertive outreach team, assessing risk and need for young people and adults over 18 experiencing psychosis. Patients typically presented with complex PTSD or significant relational and developmental trauma alongside their psychotic experiences. The role's core aims were to assess risk and support patients to live full, safe lives within the community.

Older People's / Vulnerable Adults Team

I worked as part of a team supporting vulnerable and older individuals and their carers, assessing mental capacity and safeguarding risks, and developing care packages to help older people and vulnerable adults live independently and safely in their own homes.

Residential Social Worker (Live-in RSW)

I worked as part of a team supporting highly complex children with multiple social, psychological, and developmental needs, where risks of family breakdown arose from attachment ruptures and complex, intergenerational trauma.

School Therapist

Provided long- and short-term psychotherapy with children and adolescents in primary and secondary schools across West Sussex, working closely in partnership with parents and families, and pastoral and SLT staff.

Youth Dream Charity: The Bridge Community Support Centre, Chichester

Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, Group Practitioner, Designated Safeguarding Officer

Initially held the role of Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) for the charity. Co-facilitated therapeutic groups for young carers, children coping with loss and bereavement, and those experiencing complex trauma, as well as a social and psycho-educational programme designed specifically for Year 9 students.

I provided long and short-term psychotherapy for children and adolescents working in partnership with parents and families, relevant pastoral and SLT school staff, IPEH family support teams, and Tier 4 level services such as children's social care and CAMHS. Created the charity's first formal, WSCC-approved Safeguarding Policy and ran monthly safeguarding training for volunteers.

Placement Roles (as part of past trainings)

Chichester Nursery School - Child Psychotherapist and therapeutic parenting provision.

MIND - Person-centred Counsellor, mental health advocate.

Mother & Baby Specialist Supported Housing Service - Accommodation, attachment education, and wellbeing support for pregnant women and young mothers aged 16-25 with children aged five and under. The role also required social assistance to support individuals transition to independent living
 
 Qualifications 

MA. Child Psych. - Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and Counselling - (Children, Adolescents and Families) UKCP

DipSW  -  Diploma in Social Work (Children and Families)

Cert.TA  -  Psychotherapy (Adults) BACP/NCPS

Cert. Couns. Person-Centred Counselling Certificate (Adults) BACP/NCPS

I work with

• Children and young people
• Individuals
• Private healthcare referrals

Types of Therapies Offered

• Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist