I am an Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist specialising in supporting children and adolescents to improve their mental wellbeing with compassion, empathy, understanding, and acceptance.
Book a sessionI have 25 years experience within the NHS as a mental health nurse, ten of these as a qualified (BABCP accredited) Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. For the past twenty years I have worked with children, adolescents and their families/carers within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). My approach is client-centred, inclusive and accepting and I am experienced at adapting therapy for young people with additional needs such as autism and ADHD. I have effectively worked with adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria and have extensive experience treating difficulties such as PTSD, OCD, separation anxiety, social anxiety, panic, phobia, health anxiety, generalised anxiety, low self-esteem, perfectionism and depression. I have specialist knowledge of attachment and complex trauma having worked with children, adolescents and young adults who were in care of the local authority, adopted or care leavers for fifteen years. I am trained and experienced in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) and this has enhanced my understanding of empathy, compassion and family relationships. Working within CAMHS necessitated specialist knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment and safety planning and I prioritise the safety of clients at all times. I am trained to deliver Suicide Awareness and Response training. After qualifying as a CBT therapist I completed intermediate training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness training and am Flash trained. I completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Supervision in 2019 and have been supervising CBT therapists as well as low intensity CBT (LICBT) practitioners since 2017. Since 2021 I have offered Supervision to trainee CBT therapists and LICBT practitioners on a consultancy basis and also worked as an associate university lecturer. I currently work part time as a University Lecturer within a Child and Adolescent Psychological Professions post-graduate training department (formerly CYP IAPT).