A Clinical Psychologist is someone who has received extensive training in a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, competencies and research, working across the life span, and gained experience working with learning, developmental and neurodevelopmental differences, and neuropsychological assessment. They aim to reduce psychological distress and promote psychological wellbeing. They can work individually, with groups, and draw on community-based approaches and context factors. They can provide supervision, consultation, leadership in organisations and training.

Clinical Psychologist is a protected title and registered profession. Clinical Psychologists in the UK are trained through the NHS, similar to doctors and nurses, and work in a range of settings in the NHS, public and private sector.

Feelings are fundamental to being human – for big and small humans. Therapy offers a supportive space to explore and make sense of how we are feeling, particularly when stuck, worried, and overwhelmed. It can empower us to develop our own wisdom, skills, and connection to what matters most to us, in order to navigate challenges and lead a more full, meaningful and whole hearted life.

If your child is experiencing increasing signs of emotional distress, or changes to their behaviour, or it’s bringing up strong emotions for you while navigating the understandable ups and downs of your parenting journey, whatever stage that may be, therapy could be a useful support to you and your child.

Clinical psychologists can take a holistic approach to emotion and behaviour concerns. We work closely with parents, children and families, learning about past and present experiences, their wider social and cultural context, and work collaboratively to identify goals for working together.

Clinical Psychologists often work in partnership with other professionals, such as GPs, health visitors, and schools to help support your needs.

If we decide to work together, we will first arrange an assessment to find out more about the issues you want help with. An assessment is typically between 1-3 sessions depending on the issues you’d like to discuss. It may be with an individual parent, couple or other family members. Together we explore possible support options, which could be ongoing therapy sessions working towards a particular goal, or to signpost you to a more suitable service or professional. With your consent, it may also involve speaking to your child or young person's nursery, school or any other known health or care professional.

I primarily work with parents or carers (with an individual parent or a couple), who are the experts in knowing their child and family best, to empower them around supporting their concerns for their child. We may agree to see children and young people at some points during our work to help bring their voices into the thinking too, and signpost to further support they might want / need.

My approach to therapy is to offer a compassionate, warm, non-judgemental space to support parents explore challenges and navigate ways of coping most suitable for their child and family. I draw on a range of evidence-based and holistic approaches. Every child, family and parent system is unique, which is why I draw on a range of psychology approaches including cognitive behavioural therapy, systemic and narrative therapy, mindfulness, compassion-focused therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. I also use nurturing parenting, and trauma-informed and focused approaches. I draw on mind-body techniques and yoga therapy skills to promote emotion regulation and transformation.

I am interested in understanding families within their unique context, supporting them to give voice to experiences and build their preferred futures. This might include (although not limited to) family culture, race, gender, sexuality. We might explore the wider social political contexts that impact on psychological wellbeing and mental health, including systems of power and oppression, dominant societal narratives (for example around parenting or motherhood) from a reflective, relational, critical and community psychology lens.

We might decide to meet for a few sessions, or a longer time. I typically offer up to 6 weekly sessions focused on a particular goal you'd like help with, with a chance to review if you’d like more support. Some parents find one or a few sessions valuable enough to provide support and guidance to continue their journey, while others would like short-medium, or even longer-term work.

Sessions are typically 50 minutes. I mostly offer sessions online , as many parents and families say it fits more flexibly around their lives. There is also growing evidence to show that for many presenting concerns it can be as effective as in person sessions. I can also meet in East London. We will talk through both options and make a decision that feels best for you and your family.

Please note that I do not offer emergency mental health support. If you have any urgent concerns about a child or young person or another adult's mental health, wellbeing and safety, please contact their GP, school or other urgent care services (e.g. 111) to access more suitable help.