My Approach

Applying a model of practice and developing my independent practice which integrates ‘approach, method and technique’, alongside a stance of self-reflexivity, ensures an orientation which is respectful of difference, and adaptive to the needs of Individual's, couples, families as they present.
As a systemic psychotherapist I understand the importance of integrative approaches; the benefits of goal focused treatment; the possibilities that are created through the fusion of practice-based approaches within the context of presenting problems. I am excited by the research developments within mental health which integrate attachment, neuroscience, and genetics in developing evidence-based approaches.
Maintaining a systemic approach, ensuring collaborative, close and effective liaison, multi-disciplinary and joint working arrangements with key partners, is central to ensuring best outcomes for children and their families. This applies both in terms of providing specialist systemic, psychological and risk assessments, and evidenced based interventions and approaches to a range of mental health and behavioural difficulties, both individual and groups.
Some of these I have utilized in my work include adapted Mindfulness, CBT and DBT based interventions for the management of emotion regulation mood and anxiety; home and clinic based family therapy; behavioural functional analysis and positive behavioural support for the management of challenging behavior; Functional Family Therapy approaches in working with hard to engage complex families; narrative and brief solution focused approaches. I am always keen to seek, develop & adapt clinical interventions which have evidenced base effectiveness in supporting change and recovery, especially those which are systemically orientated, including other manualized approaches.
I am committed to my own continuing personal and professional development. As well as the courses listed (see qualifications section), I have attended numerous systemic and family therapy workshops and conferences; in service training events relating to mental health and professional practice.
The theoretical positioning and models of change, which in my experience have elicited the strongest evidence of first order (behavioural) and second order (relational) change, have included: - structural, strategic, narrative, attachment based , dialogical, and solution focused approaches.

About Me

Since July 2021 I have been working in independent practice as a Family & Systemic Psychotherapist and Mindfulness teacher of MBCT 8 week courses.
I have over the last 25 years gained a wealth of experience in working in multi-disciplinary contexts, gaining a broad range of experience and understanding in systems, processes and policy across the public sectors.
I have a vast background of experience in working with and case managing complexity and high risk young people and adults in social care, mental health and youth offending settings.
Within these contexts, the young people and adults I have worked with often have complex presentations including social, emotional, behavioral, psychological, neurodevelopmental, sexuality, gender, and learning challenges. For many, these factors result in the presentation of violent, risky and challenging behaviors, which has in turn placed these young people at serious risk in terms of:- family breakdown and coming into care; involvement of the police, crime and Youth Justice System; treatment for major mental illness. For many, they are also vulnerable within the context of their family and social relationships; for example through child protection issues; child sexual exploitation; radicalization; racial oppression; or discrimination on the grounds of their disability, gender or sexual identities.
My clinical work is ethically underpinned by a non-judgmental stance, orientated towards developing effective therapeutic engagement with high risk young people, from diverse backgrounds, all of whom are experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties and complex bio-psycho social challenges.
In working in these areas, it’s important to do so with compassion, kindness and calmness. Being able to hold risk on a systemic and individual level; taking a meta perspective; working conjointly with other services, agencies and disciplines when and where appropriate, following safeguarding policies and procedures.
I have experience of containing and supporting team members, offering supervision and being part of peer supervision both as a family therapist and as a specialist ED family therapist; also being part of reflective practice sessions, offering shared training to team members. During the pandemic support and communication between colleagues became paramount in containment and promoting self-care.
I am confident and calm in conducting complex and detailed assessments and delivering effective therapeutic treatment online since March 2020.

I work with

• Children and young people
• Companies
• Couples
• Families
• Groups
• Individuals
• 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

• Family and Systemic Psychotherapist
• Family Therapist
• Systemic Family and Couple Psychotherapist
• Systemic Psychotherapist

What I can help with

• ADHD
• Anorexia
• Anxiety
• Autism
• Bereavement
• Bullying
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Family
• Identity Problems
• Mental Health Issues
• Post-Traumatic Stress
• Sexuality
• Transgender