Support for Growing Minds
Specialist CBT for Children and Teens
With 7 years of specialist experience in NHS CAMHS, I have a deep understanding of the unique challenges young people face today. I provide a bridge between clinical expertise and a warm, approachable environment that feels safe for children and teens seeking mental health services.
Neuro-Affirming Approach
My approach to therapy, including CBT for children, does not focus on 'fixing' young people. Instead, we work together to understand their unique 'Spiky Profile', the areas where they excel and the areas that present challenges. My sessions are tailored for neurodivergent therapy, accommodating the needs of ADHD and Autism, ensuring a supportive environment for all.
For Parents
While I work 1:1 with the young person in therapy for teens, I also offer dedicated parent consultations and school liaison. This ensures that the progress we make in sessions is supported by the world around them.
A message for you (Written for the Young Person to read)
It’s completely normal to feel a bit unsure about starting therapy, especially when considering mental health services. You might have been advised that you ‘should’ come, or perhaps you've just been feeling like things are a bit too much lately.
In our sessions, you are the expert on your own life. I’m not here to ‘fix’ you or dictate your thoughts. Instead, think of me as a teammate. Together, we’ll explore the challenges that are making life feel heavy, whether that’s a 'sticky' brain that won't stop worrying, feeling overwhelmed by school, or just trying to navigate a world that doesn’t always make sense to you. We can also utilize CBT for children to help you develop effective coping strategies.
We can keep things low-pressure:
- Camera on or off: It’s up to you.
- Fidgets welcome: If you think better while moving or stimming, go for it.
- No Jargon: We’ll communicate like real people, using tools like digital whiteboards or shared maps to work through things together, including neurodivergent therapy approaches.
What to Expect From Your Initial Assessment
The Big Picture: We’ll spend 60 to 90 minutes discussing what’s happening for you right now, what you’ve tried before, and what changes you’d like to see, especially in the context of mental health services. No Right or Wrong Answers: This isn't a test. I’ll ask some questions to understand your 'Spiky Profile', the strengths you possess and the challenges you face, which is particularly useful in our sessions focused on CBT for children and neurodivergent therapy. Setting Goals: We’ll define what 'feeling better' actually looks like for you, ensuring that therapy is progressing in the right direction. Mapping it Out: I’ll begin to create a 'map' (we call this a formulation) showing how your thoughts, feelings, and actions are all interconnected. Checking the Fit: This is also a chance for you to assess if you feel comfortable talking to me. If it doesn’t feel like the right match, that’s perfectly okay!
What to Expect From Therapy Sessions
A Regular Routine: Our sessions for CBT for children will usually be 50 minutes long, once a week, at a time that works for you. Setting the Plan: At the start of each session, we’ll decide together what the most important topic is to discuss that day. Active Teaming: We won’t just 'talk', we’ll use digital whiteboards, shared drawings, and worksheets to untangle the 'sticky' parts of your brain, especially beneficial for those seeking mental health services. Home Experiments: Between sessions, I might suggest small 'experiments' or tasks for you to try out in real life to see if our new strategies actually work, particularly in the context of neurodivergent therapy. Your Pace: We work at a speed that feels manageable for you. If you need a break, a cameras-off session, or a different way of communicating, we just adapt.