Considering Support
With more than 30 years’ experience in the NHS, CAMHS and private practice, I offer a calm, reflective space for children, adolescents, parents and adults.
Working with both generations means I understand the whole family system, not just the presenting difficulty. That breadth of understanding is at the heart of everything I offer.
Comprehensive Parent Consultation (90 minutes)
£165 | In person (Ashley Down, Bristol BS7 or telephone) (Limited availability Monday-Wednesday).
All new work begins with a 90-minute parent-only consultation. This is not a routine therapy session, but a structured consultation designed to provide clarity, initial formulation and direction.
During this extended session we will look carefully at what is happening for your child, the wider family and education context, the patterns that may be contributing to or maintaining the current difficulties.
Some parents find a single consultation gives them the clarity and practical guidance they need around concerns such as sleep, behaviour, anxiety or parenting approaches.
Where difficulties are more complex or longstanding, the consultation is often the starting point for a broader piece of work helping to identify key themes and the most appropriate form of support, whether that’s parent work, assessment, or child and adolescent therapy.
In the consultation we explore:
- Your concerns and hopes
- What you have tried and other support
- Developmental, neurodiversity and learning needs
- Emotional, sensory and regulation patterns
- Family emotional health history and strengths
I work collaboratively with parents and carers. There is no obligation for either party to continue beyond this one consultation.
Booking, Payment & Cancellations
These policies support the sustainability and clarity of my practice, and I appreciate your understanding.
Booking and Payment
- An appointment is only confirmed once payment has been received, booking a time does not itself secure it.
- Please provide your billing address at the time of booking so an invoice can be issued promptly.
- Payment is due within 48 hours of the invoice being issued.
- If payment is not received within this time, the appointment will be released and offered to another family.
Cancellation Policy for Consultation
- 48 hours notice is required for cancelling the consultation.
- When you book, I hold that time exclusively for you and any follow-on work. Therefore the consultation is non-refundable.
- Where 48 hours notice is given, I will wherever possible offer an alternative appointment time at no additional charge.
- Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice will forfeit both the fee and the appointment.
Pathways After the Consultation
If ongoing work is appropriate, options include six session blocks of:
- Child/Adolescent/18+ Therapy ( Weekly)
- Therapeutic Parenting ( Fortnightly)
- Adult Individual Therapy ( Weekly)
We decide together which approach is most suitable.
Child, Teen and 18+ Weekly Therapy: 6-Session Assessment Block
Therapy begins with a 6-session assessment block, which includes:
- Hello Meeting (Session 1) – an introductory session with your child/young person (this is a paid session £100 but will be taken off if you pay in a block for the following five sessions £400).
- Three weekly assessment sessions (Sessions 2–4)
- Review meeting (Session 5)
- Final child/teen session (Session 6): ending, referral on, or the first ongoing session
This structure gives time for trust, understanding needs, and making thoughtful decisions.
Ongoing Therapy Work Fees:
- 6-Session Block: £500 (≈ £83 per 50-min session), paid in advance
- Pay as you go per each session for six sessions : £100 per session paid in advance of the session
Cancellation Policy — Weekly and Block Work
Weekly sessions are a reserved space for your child during term time and are chargeable in full whether or not notice is given. They cannot be refunded or rescheduled for holidays (outside of term time, school trips, sickness).
This applies whether booking individual sessions or block payments.
(See Terms & Conditions for full details.)
Approach
My integrative approach includes:
- Play and arts-based therapies
- Sand play / World Technique
- Attachment-based, psychodynamic and systemic thinking
- CBT (when appropriate)
- Trauma-informed practice
Change comes from safety, trust, consistency and connection — not from “fixing” a child.
The focus is understanding behaviour and strengthening relationships and connection
Adolescents & 16 -18+
As children get older, therapy naturally begins to look different. Teenagers often prefer a more conversational approach, alongside creative work where helpful. I draw on psychodynamic and cognitive–behavioural approaches, adapting sessions to the young person’s needs, pace and capacity for reflection.
For young people aged 16 and over, therapy is based on consent, confidentiality, motivation and personal responsibility. This means I cannot make a young person attend, participate, or change if they are not ready or willing to do so.
It is natural to feel uncertain at the start, about whether therapy is the right step, or whether the timing feels right. That uncertainty is worth talking about. At the same time, a consistent and reliable frame is part of what makes therapy safe. Committing to an initial block of six sessions is not about removing doubt; it is about creating enough continuity for something real to take shape.
Therapy can offer a regular safe space for a young person to think, feel and make sense of their experiences. It may support emotional understanding, coping and reflection, but it cannot replace the boundaries, routines and support provided at home, school or within the wider system around them.
When Ongoing Work May Not Be Suitable
Ongoing therapy may not be appropriate if:
- Needs are complex multi-agency or require statutory services such as CAMHS
- There is crisis or high mental health risk
- You or your child needs another service
- Legal proceedings are active
- Attendance would be inconsistent
If this is the case, I will always try to signpost you to more appropriate support. This doesn’t mean therapy won’t be possible in the future, only that it may be more beneficial to address these needs first.
Fortnightly Therapeutic Parenting
Following an initial consultation, I work with families in a block of six fortnightly sessions rather than one-off appointments. This structure gives parents the time and space to build genuine connection, insight and sustainable strategies with their child for the long term.
We review our work together at session five. Generally six sessions is enough to make lasting changes.
Between sessions, I ask you to apply strategies at home and reflect on your experiences. The work is most effective when learning is practised in daily family life.
Fees:
- 6-Session Block: £500 (≈ £83 per 50-min session), paid in advance following consultation
- Pay as you go: £100 per session paid in advance of the session
- MOT session: £140 (75 minutes) For returning parents only.
Cancellation Policy
48 hours’ notice for cancellation is required. Missed sessions and blocks are non-refundable, particularly where an alternative time(s) have been offered.
(See Terms & Conditions for full details.)
Adult Therapy
6–12 focused sessions exploring patterns, conditioning, emotional history and family relationships.
Fees:
- 6-Session Block: £500 (≈ £83 per 50-min session), paid in advance
- Pay as you go: £100 per session, paid in advance
- MOT: £140 (75 minutes)
Attendance:
Weekly space is reserved; missed sessions (illness, holidays, work or schedule changes) cannot be refunded or rescheduled.
(See Terms & Conditions for full details.)
The Heart of the Work
Ultimately at the centre of therapy is the therapeutic relationship.
Change happens through:
- safety
- trust
- consistency
- connection
If Your Child Is Reluctant
I recommend one initial session so they can decide.
Therapy is most effective when a child feels ready.
If they choose not to continue, I can work with you instead.
Confidentiality, Safeguarding and Information Sharing
I am committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
All therapeutic work is confidential. This means that information shared in sessions is not routinely disclosed to parents, schools, or other professionals without consent.
Where appropriate, I am happy to liaise with schools and other professionals in order to support a child’s wellbeing and ensure coordinated care. However, I will only share information where written parental consent has been provided (or where the young person is able to give informed consent themselves).
There are limits to confidentiality. If I have concerns that a child or young person may be at risk of harm, or if safeguarding concerns arise, I may need to share information with relevant agencies (for example, the Designated Safeguarding Lead at school, Children’s Social Care, the GP, or the police). Wherever possible, I will aim to discuss this with parents/carers and/or the young person first, unless doing so may increase risk.
I may also be required to share information if ordered to do so by a court of law.
If you have any questions about confidentiality, safeguarding, or information sharing, please feel free to contact me.
( And read Terms & Conditions for full details.)
For data and privacy information, please see the Privacy And Cookies Policy
Reports, letters & Legal Work
Reports are only provided if agreed from the outset and are charged at the hourly rate.
Letters or detailed emails are charged by the hourly rate
Next Steps
If you feel this might be a good fit, you can get in touch to arrange your initial consultation.
