I have worked as a teacher for over 30years. This has involved working in a wide spectrum of schools e.g., specialist provision, private and state sector, working with and supporting young people and their families from nursery through to FE.
I have had the privilege of working with a wide range of cultures throughout my career both as a specialist teacher and a Psychotherapist. My experience has also involved supporting individuals with additional needs. This includes working working with young people on the Autistic spectrum, with diagnosis of Aspergers, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy and of course, hearing impairment.
Working in a school setting I work with teachers, parents /guardians, Designated Safeguarding Leads, Pastoral Team, and other agencies such as Social Services, GP’s and CAMHs and can be asked to attend external meetings.
Each young person is a unique individual with their own way of communicating. I use an integrative practice which will be tailor made to your child empowering them to work through the issue(s) that are impacting their life. The sessions offer children and young people a space to talk about their thoughts and feelings in a safe environment. It helps them to share any worries or problems they may have and to build their confidence and self-esteem.
Entrusting your child or young person to a counsellor is undoubtedly one of the most difficult processes a parent or carer can go through. Being a qualified ‘Integrative Counsellor ’means I am trained in a number of different theoretical approaches to counselling; therefore, in counselling children and young people, able to be responsive to each individual adjusting the therapeutic approach accordingly.Parents or carers are always involved at the initial stages, to go through contracts, how the sessions will progress, if there are any concerns or if a referral to another agency is felt more appropriate following discussion. In my practise at home, if young people would like their carer to be involved this can be arranged as well.
Children and young people can come with various issues such as, academic problems, difficulties with peers, behavioural difficulties in the classroom, emotional issues possibly arising from parental separation and divorce, social media, abuse, bullying, bereavement, relationships with parents and attendance problems, or simply for someone to be there for them when they need to be heard.
Helping to build a young person’s self-confidence, and raising their self-esteem, can help them to grow and develop into healthy teenagers/adults. I am also a strong advocate of early intervention to minimise potential of crisis management.
In my private practice, as within school, the same guidelines apply regarding confidentiality, BACP Code of Ethics, The Children’s Act and Safeguarding are followed to ensure safety and well being of any young person that walks through my door.
