Specialist Services

Young People

Previously whilst working within an agency setting, I offered young people brief counselling from GP referrals and from Child and Mental Health Service (CAMHS) referrals. This was within various NHS locations within the Sussex area. I now offer support to young adults from the age of 10 who are struggling to make sense of their feelings in a safe way. The methods available may include creative options such as offering the use of collage, sand tray, painting, and playing relevant games. This can be very helpful where talking is not the easiest form of self-expression for the young person. I work collaboratively with CAMHS. Parents/carers are welcome to attend a part of the initial assessment meeting.

I offer support to the following:-

Abuse, Anxiety, Stress (exams etc), Adoption and Foster attachment issues, Bullying, Divorce, Depression, Eating disorders, Gender change, Integration of families, Obesity, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD), Panic Attacks, Withdrawing from the world,
School-Refusers, Parent-Child relationships, Self-Harm, Separating parents, Loss
sexuality issues, Step-parent difficulties, and Trauma.

Referrals from various residential care homes in the Sussex area.

Adoption Counsellor

I am an approved Adoption Link Counsellor and Attachment Focused Therapist  trained by The Barnado’s Society. As of February 2011, it became a legal requirement to be specifically trained when working with individuals who have been adopted and to be affiliated with an Ofsted registered agency such as Barnados. This is to offer support to both adults and young people who would like to understand their adoption in more depth. It can also be useful to see a qualified LINK adoption counsellor if you a carer to an adopted person.

As an Attachment Focused TherapistI support parents at the pre and during phase of adopting a child. This offers support to parents in various ways from counselling, parenting support when adopting and common attachment difficulties issues that may arise. This process is collaborative and incorporates some coaching tools, parenting skills as well as offering a rich understanding for parents to take away and to put into practise. This process is funded so if you feel you could benefit from support,  please do get in touch and I can guide you through the process.

Typical examples:

A birth mother contacts a client and the client has mixed feelings about it.
A mother who recently adopted two children would like to talk about her experience as she is struggling.

An adult adopted person would like to review her past experience of this.
An adult adopted person would like to consider contacting her birth parent(s).
A adopter mother is struggling with her own feelings during as an adoptive mother.

For a friendly chat, please feel free to contact me.