About us

A WAY OF WORKING YOU CAN TRUST

I completed my training at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education; I hold an MA in Integrative Child Psychotherapy and Postgraduate Diplomas in the Therapeutic Application of the Arts and and Therapeutic Life Story Work.  From my base in Buckingham, I provide online psychotherapy services and therapeutic life story services commissioned by schools, local authorities and families across Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.  I also have experience as an independent advocate, working in adolescent psychiatric units and medium secure forensic inpatient wards in London.  I am a supportive, accepting, listening ear for children, young people and adults suffering from a wide range of psychological difficulties.

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I integrate theories and concepts around developmental play, helping me to think about the complexities that leave children and young people feeling overwhelmed. I am also passionate about the adverse life  experiences that shape children's ability to form good attachments, leaving their internal and external resources unable to cope.  I am skilled and experienced in working with children who identify as African, African Caribbean and of mixed heritage.  Sometimes, children, families and professional networks can all benefit from insightful, therapeutic support that reflects the client's cultural and ethnic background.

Online digital play based psychotherapy is a specialism within the field of psychotherapy requiring specific training to reach a level of competence and confidence using online therapeutic tools and interventions.  I believe that online games provide a portal through which therapists not only observe a child's world through play, but we extend our ability to immerse ourselves in their world with emotional involvement and reverie using a language that is relevant to their age and culture. 

• I have completed a recognised programme of training and am qualified to use the title 'Child Psychotherapist'

• I adhere to professional standards

• There is an independent complaints procedure

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• I have completed a recognised programme of training to achieve the competencies to work online

• I am qualified to use the title 'Certified Cyber Therapist'

• I have regular, independent supervision which matches my specialism

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• DBS Certificate

• Personal Idemnity Insurance

• GDPR and Safeguarding Training

• Information Comissioner's Office (ICO) Registration

• Privacy4  Data Protection Aware

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Changing values and expectations

We provide a weekly session, and more....

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• Find the best time and 'place' for me to meet with your child, either at school or online at home.  No more traveling to a clinic and disruptions to everyone's day.

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• 1 weekly scheduled session of 'real-time' therapeutic play.  Children can choose to use video-call, chat/text or phone for their session*

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• PLUS  2 therapy emails per week or 2 text-based conversations to share feelings, important news and therapy images that children may want to bring to their sessions.*

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• Children working online get to show me their world, their games, and the things that matter to them – giving more equality to the therapeutic relationship*

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* Online sessions only - get in touch for more information

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"Creating accessible spaces

for therapy" 

Integrate and communicate

We use technology to help everyone connect, and support the therapy work...

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• We can stay in touch so that the therapy can inform staff at schools, and the wider professional network supporting your family. 

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• Speak to us outside of your child's session.  We include one hour of support every month by email, phone or text for parents or professionals to discuss interim reports, or issues that arise between sessions. 

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"Joined-up thinking and therapy, supporting the way we live" 

Schools

Schools are facing their greatest challenge to help anxious, stressed children and their families returning to education.  Children will need different levels of help depending on their needs. 

We can help you to devise informed, socially-distant activities to help children feel safe in school.  Our range of help covers activities for whole-school, individual classes or specific children who need focussesd emotional support where they are. 

Our specially selected online links and resources can help you to turn 'social distance' into safe, fun spaces in school. 

Download the trauma-informed resources pack or find out how to make  therapeutic play an integral part of your school recovery programme

Local Authorities

I provide services for child psychotherapy and therapeutic life story work for post- order adoption teams and looked after child (LAC) teams in local authorities.  My work supports vulnerable children in temporary and permanent placements, helping families where traumatic behaviours present a risk to breakdown. 

Families

Family life in lock-down comes with pressures which can stretch everyone's physical and mental resources. 

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Get in touch to find out how therapeutic play can support children at home and school  

Worried about your child's transition to a new school?  Download helpful support here

Therapeutic Life Story Work

STORIES THAT SHAPE WHO WE ARE

My framework as a Therapeutic Life Story Wroker is underpinned by attachment theory and its impact on our key relationships; psychodynamic theory on how our past shapes our present and future lives and humanistic theory encompassing the need for acceptance of others and ourselves.

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My training as a psychotherapist, and intensive personal psychotherapy has helped me to think about the gaps in my own life-story as a care-leaver.  I have personal empathy and insight to the challenges faced by children and young people who are separated from their family of origin and battle to gain a sense of self.

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As an adoptive parent, I have first hand experience of the impact of ineffective life-story work and this has reinforced my decision to incorporate Richard Rose's evidence-based model of Life Story Work (Rosee, 2012) into my therapeutic practice.  As a qualified practitioner, I now specialise in helping families where children and young people struggle to find their place in the world, or where complex, challenging and unsafe behaviour. places families at risk of breakdown.

Let's get in touch