My Experience

I have over 17 years of professional experience working with children, young people, and families across different services including the NHS. My background as both a social worker and a cognitive behavioural therapist allows me to bring a unique perspective to therapy, balancing psychological models with an understanding of family dynamics, and social context and what you are wanting and needing from therapy.

I have worked extensively within children’s and young people’s services including early intervention, and school-based mental health services. My current role as an Autism Specialist and child and young person CBT Therapist involves multidisciplinary assessment for young people with neurodevelopmental needs, including autism and ADHD, as well as associated challenges such as anxiety, mood difficulties, eating disorders, and complex trauma.

I have also worked in statutory social work and in specialist safeguarding roles within the NSPCC, where I supported children and young people who had experienced abuse and exploitation. These experiences have strengthened my ability to hold risk safely, work collaboratively with networks around a child, and integrate therapeutic work with a systemic understanding of family and community factors.

My Values

My practice is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and respect. I believe every young person and family brings unique strengths, and therapy should build on these. I value curiosity and systemic thinking, recognising the wider social, cultural, and relational contexts that shape a child’s experiences.

I aim to create a safe and supportive therapeutic space where children, young people, and families feel heard, understood, and empowered. Partnership with parents, carers, and schools is central to my approach, as sustainable change often comes through collective support rather than individual work alone.

The Models I Work With

I specialise in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and adapt this approach to suit the developmental stage and needs of each child or young person. Alongside CBT, I draw on systemic and social work informed approaches, including:

  • Systemic thinking, considering family dynamics, community, and social factors.
  • Trauma-informed practice, integrating safety, trust, and empowerment into therapeutic relationships.
  • Safeguarding frameworks, balancing wellbeing and protection where risk is present.
  • Strengths-based approaches, helping young people and families identify resilience and resources.

I also use psychoeducation, behavioural strategies, and collaborative problem solving to support both children and the adults around them.

Clinic Information

I offer sessions in Coulsdon on a Saturday afternoon for children, young people, and families, with a focus on those experiencing anxiety, low mood, trauma, neurodevelopmental differences, or relational difficulties. I work collaboratively with parents, carers, and schools to ensure that strategies and insights are embedded into everyday life.

Training and Qualifications

  • Higher National Diploma in Child & Young Person Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Merit) – King’s College London
  • BA (Hons) Social Work (2:1) – University of Sunderland
  • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) trained
  • Qualified Yoga Teacher – with experience teaching in a range of settings

Professional Registrations:

  • British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) – 1017947
  • Social Work England – SW17077

 

Age Range

8+

Key Models

CBT

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