My philosophy and approach for working with children, adolescents and parents.

 

 

I work with children and young people who are experiencing emotional difficulties that may not always be easy to understand or express. Some are struggling with anxiety, low mood, or perfectionism. Others may seem withdrawn, overwhelmed, or “fine on the surface” but not quite themselves underneath. My aim is to create a space where they feel safe enough to explore what’s going on—at their own pace, in their own way.

 

As a clinical psychologist, my training is integrative. This means I draw on a range of psychological models, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), developmental and attachment-based approaches, and systemic and relational thinking. I tailor the work to each young person and family, depending on their needs, goals, and ways of making sense of the world.

 

Some young people benefit from structure and strategies to help manage their thoughts, emotions, or behaviours. Others need time and space to think, feel, and understand what might be going on underneath the surface—especially if they’re used to coping by staying in control, avoiding mistakes, or hiding difficult feelings. Most need a combination of both. My role is to meet them where they are—and help them grow from there.

 

While I don’t offer formal psychodynamic psychotherapy, my approach is informed by this tradition. I’m interested in the emotional patterns that repeat, the things that go unsaid, and the deeper meanings that often lie behind symptoms. I believe that meaningful change comes not just from managing problems, but from being understood—and from discovering new ways of relating to oneself and others.