Hi, I'm Dr Jen Draisey!
I’m a Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist, passionate about helping children, young people and their families make sense of the challenges they are facing and find a way forward.
If you’re here, you may be worried about your child. Perhaps they are anxious, overwhelmed, struggling with school or finding everyday life harder than you feel it should be. You may have read the books, searched online and tried different strategies, yet still feel unsure about what your child needs. You might also be exhausted from trying to hold everything together.
You are not failing, and you don’t have to work it all out alone.
"I believe understanding comes before solutions"
When a child is struggling, it can be tempting to focus immediately on how to change or fix the behaviour. But often, what looks like difficult behaviour on the surface is a sign that something underneath is feeling difficult too.
That might be anxiety, overwhelm, sensory differences, neurodivergence, difficulties at school, low self-esteem or something else entirely.
Before we decide what to do, I believe it is important to understand the why. I take time to get to know each child, young person and family, considering their individual experiences, strengths and challenges.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and I aim to provide support that feels realistic, achievable and right for you and your family.
My experience
I obtained my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) at Royal Holloway (University of London), following completion of a PhD focused on parenting and child anxiety at the University of Reading. I have over 14 years of experience supporting children, young people and families with their mental health and emotional wellbeing. I have worked across the NHS, education and private practice, supporting young people with a wide range of difficulties. Alongside my clinical work, I have over seven years of research experience and have continued to develop my specialist knowledge throughout my career.
What I can help with:
- Anxiety and worries
- Neurodivergence, including ADHD, Autism and PDA
- School related anxiety and emotionally based school avoidance
- OCD and phobias
- Low mood and low self-esteem
- Emotional regulation difficulties
- Peer and relationship difficulties
I am registered with the Health and Care professions Council (HCPC) and the British Psychological Society (BPS)
What it’s like to work with me...
My approach is warm, collaborative and practical.
I want you to feel comfortable being honest about what is happening, including (and especially) the difficult bits!
You don’t need to arrive with everything neatly explained or know exactly what you need.
Together, we can begin by making sense of what is happening and deciding where to start.
Depending on your child and family’s needs, this might involve:
- working directly with your child or young person,
- OR offering parent support, or working alongside other important people in their life, such as school staff or other professionals.
I draw on evidence-based psychological approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), alongside a neurodiversity-affirming understanding of autism, PDA, and ADHD.
I work both online and in-person at Wellshare Consulting Rooms in Guildford on a Tuesday, Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning.
Taking the next step...
If you're worried about your child or young person and wondering whether I might be able to help, you can book a free 15-minute telephone consultation. This is a relaxed opportunity to talk briefly about what is happening, ask any questions and explore whether my support feels like the right fit for your family.
Book a Consultation