Frequently Asked Questions!

Have a question about how I work?

Choosing the right support for your child can feel daunting, particularly when you’re not quite sure where to start. I’ve answered some of the questions parents ask most often below. If your question isn’t answered here, you’re very welcome to get in touch.

Getting Started

I work with children and young people from around 5 to 18 years old. The support I offer is always tailored to the child's age, developmental stage, communication style and individual needs.

You don't need to wait until things reach crisis point before seeking support.You might notice that your child is becoming increasingly anxious, overwhelmed or withdrawn, or that their difficulties are beginning to affect school, friendships, family life or their general wellbeing.

Sometimes parents simply have a feeling that something isn't quite right, or that their child is finding things harder than they are able to manage alone. An initial assessment can help you understand what may be happening and explore whether psychological support could be helpful.

The initial assessment is an opportunity to step back and look at the bigger picture. We will explore the difficulties your child is experiencing, alongside their strengths, development, relationships, school experience and family circumstances.

Depending on your child's age and circumstances, I may speak with parents, your child or young person, or both. There is no expectation that your child needs to talk about everything straight away.

At the end of the assessment, we will discuss my understanding of what may be happening and my recommendations for the most helpful next steps.

That's absolutely fine. You don't need to know whether your child needs therapy, parent support, school support or something else before you get in touch.

We can talk about what is happening and work out together what might be the most appropriate starting point. Sometimes the best place to start is by working directly with your child. At other times, supporting parents first can be more helpful.

Therapy & Appointments

Yes. I offer both online and in-person appointments. Online appointments can be particularly helpful for young people who feel more comfortable accessing support from home, or for families who live further away. I also offer in-person appointments in Guildford, Surrey. We can discuss which option is likely to work best for you or your child.

There is no set number of sessions, as every child and young person is different. Some difficulties may benefit from a shorter period of focused therapy, while others may require longer-term support.

Following the initial assessment, we will discuss my recommendations and agree on an approach that feels appropriate. Progress will be reviewed regularly to make sure therapy continues to be helpful.

This depends on your child's age, needs and the type of support being offered. For younger children, parents are often closely involved in therapy. Older young people may benefit from having more individual space. I will always consider how best to involve parents while also giving young people appropriate privacy and helping them feel safe and supported.

This is very common - and it doesn't necessarily mean that therapy won't be helpful.

Children and young people can feel unsure about therapy, particularly if they don't understand why they are being asked to attend or have had previous experiences that weren't helpful.I won't expect your child to immediately open up or talk about difficult things. Building trust and a sense of safety comes first.

Sometimes it may be more appropriate to begin with parent support, allowing you to better understand what is happening and explore ways to support your child without placing additional pressure on them.

That's completely okay. You, or your child don't need to arrive knowing what they want to talk about, and they certainly don't need to have everything figured out.

Depending on your child's age and preferences, sessions may involve conversation, creative activities, practical exercises or other approaches that help them communicate and explore what is going on. We can take things at a pace that feels manageable.

Your Child's Needs

No. Your child does not need a formal diagnosis to access support. I work with children and families who have a diagnosis, are exploring whether their child may be neurodivergent, or are experiencing difficulties that may be associated with anxiety or neurodivergence. The focus is on understanding your child's individual needs rather than relying solely on a diagnostic label.

I have particular experience supporting children and young people with autism, ADHD and PDA, alongside anxiety and other emotional difficulties. I recognise that traditional therapeutic approaches don't work for every child. Sessions can therefore be adapted to take account of communication preferences, sensory needs, processing differences, attention and demand avoidance.

The aim is to create an approach that works with your child, rather than expecting your child to fit a particular therapeutic model.

I do not currently provide formal diagnostic assessments for autism or ADHD. However, I offer therapeutic and parent support for children and young people who have a diagnosis, are exploring whether they may be neurodivergent, or are experiencing difficulties associated with neurodivergence.

If you are looking for a formal diagnostic assessment, I can discuss whether another specialist service may be more appropriate.

Yes. I support children and young people experiencing anxiety and difficulties relating to school attendance, including emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA). School avoidance can have many different causes, so it is important to understand why a particular child is struggling rather than simply focusing on getting them back into school.

Where appropriate, I can work with parents, young people and schools to develop a shared understanding of the difficulties and explore a supportive way forward.

School can play an important role in a child's wellbeing, particularly when they are experiencing anxiety, school-related difficulties or challenges associated with neurodivergence.

With your consent, I can liaise with schools, SENCOs, teachers and other professionals.This may include providing recommendations, attending meetings or helping school staff develop a better understanding of your child's needs.

Practical Questions

Building trust is an important part of therapy, and young people need to feel that they have a safe space to talk openly. The boundaries of confidentiality will be explained clearly at the beginning of therapy and will depend on the young person's age and circumstances.

If I became concerned that your child or someone else was at significant risk of harm, I may need to share relevant information to help keep them safe. Wherever possible, I would discuss this with your child first.

My current fees are displayed under each service on my website. Fees for school liaison, professional support and corporate workplace programmes are available upon request.

Yes. I offer online appointments to families across the UK.

Yes. With your consent, I can work collaboratively with other professionals involved in your child's care or support.This may include schools, GPs, CAMHS, psychiatrists, paediatricians, occupational therapists or other professionals. Collaborative working can help everyone develop a shared understanding of your child's needs and how best to support them.

I will always be honest if I feel that another professional or service would be better placed to support you or your child. My priority is helping you find the right support for your family, even if that support isn't with me.

Have another question?
You don't need to know exactly what you need before you get in touch

If you'd like to chat about how my support could work or you have questions I haven't answered here a free 15-minute telephone consultation is a simple place to start.

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