Hello! and welcome to my profile.

About me

I am a white British man in my fifties and a father. I listen and offer a warm, positive and accepting manner and seek to understand the strengths and diversity of children and families. From this we can develop ways forward for the child and family. 

What I can offer

I can offer to work with children, young people and parents/carers with child mental health challenges and problems listed below. We can agree together which family members would be most helpful to take part.

Deciding if we work together 

I am happy to have an informal chat to see if we are a good fit for each other, how we might work together, to answer any questions and discuss the family’s particular concerns, requirements and preferences.

Working together 

If we agree to go ahead, I firstly offer an assessment of the situation the family is experiencing and identify goals.

We can then think about how we might use our sessions including which family members/ persons to involve and the frequency of sessions. 

I would suggest we review our work at agreed intervals with reference to the family’s goals and to agree the duration of our work. 

Sessions 

I can work with different combinations of family members on the family’s goals. I offer a safe, non-judgemental, confidential, accepting and positive space for families to talk and express emotions if they wish.  Together we can explore the individual needs of family members. I understand that not everyone finds talking easy so we can adapt sessions together, for example by using drawing or play. 

I can offer face to face and/or telephone/ online sessions. 

 My Specialisms: 

Child mental health difficulties and areas including:

• Anxiety
• ADHD
• Autistic spectrum
• Depression
• Self-harm 
• Attachment difficulties
• School difficulties
• Behaviour difficulties and parenting
• Family relationship difficulties
• Bereavement 
• Eating problems 

 

My Experience: 

I worked as a residential then field social worker with children and families from 1988 until 1996 and for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in community, in-patient and day services from 1996 until 2023. During this time I worked with all the child mental health difficulties listed above. 

I have worked extensively with parents and carers and their children in supporting and working alongside them to understand and support children/ young people. This has involved understanding family relationships, individual members’ needs and contexts such as school and peer relationships.

Approaches I offer 

 

Systemic family therapy including

Narrative 

Solution-Focused 

Strengths-based 

Collaborative   

Systemic family therapy involves talking about the relationships within the family, community and wider contexts and building on the strengths and resources within these systems to help the child/young person and family. I aim to be collaborative by working together with the family on their goals and by harnessing their strengths. I recognise the importance of diversity and difference in relation to the family including gender, race and ability. I am aware of power and aim to empower the family and boost the confidence and hope of its members.  

 

My Qualifications: 

MSc Systemic Psychotherapy 2015 

MSc Child and Family Mental Health 2010 

Post Qualifying Child Care Award 2005 

Practice Teaching Award 2001 

Diploma/MA In Applied Social Studies (Dip/SW) 1993 

B.A. (HONS.) Sociology and English 1987   

 

Other Training: 

Maudsley Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (FT/AN) 2018 

Continuous professional development courses and events.

 

My Professional Registrations: 

United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy 

Association for Family Therapy  

Social Work England  

Information Commissioner’s Office  

 

Other:

Enhanced Declaration and Baring Service check 

Professional Liability insurance.

 

Fees

 

My fee is £60 for a 50-minute session. 

We may be able to negotiate concessions in some circumstances. 

Current Availability: Saturday mornings and Monday afternoons.