The number of sessions required and desired varies considerably between individuals. For some, a handful of sessions feels enough, whilst others prefer to work together over a number of months. National guidelines for the gold standard therapies are generally based on around 6-12 sessions. That said, for some, a few sessions of guidance followed by a self-directed treatment plan will be beneficial enough. Equally, others prefer to work together over a longer term. I generally suggest thinking together about what feels best, over the first few sessions, and will check in with you as we go.

I generally advise to seek help if you are experiencing difficulties that have persisted despite your best efforts, over a number of weeks or months. In practice, some of the people I see have been struggling for a longer time. Others choose to take a more proactive approach when things are going relatively well. In either case, at initial consultation we can explore together what I might be able to offer and whether this feels a good fit for you just now. If it feels that another service may be more appropriate I will also be happy to signpost you to it.

One of the things I value most about my profession is that we are uniquely trained to draw on a range of psychological theories and therapeutic models. This can be especially helpful when holding a range of concerns in mind. For example, I may work with a mum who experiences anxiety as a result distressing past experiences and is struggling to bond with. I may draw on trauma therapies to address the mum’s underlying distress alongside parent-infant approaches to support bonding with baby. Crucially, I hold professional registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), adhere to the professional and ethical standards outlined by the British Psychological Society (BPS), and attend regular CPD and supervision to ensure my practice aligns with the most up-to-date research base.

As a psychologist, I am trained in a range of approaches. I sometimes work purely from one approach, and other times integrate aspects of more than one. My decisions are be based on gold-standards in the research literature, and based on an assessment of your individual needs. I aim to be as transparent about the approaches I am taking in sessions, without giving unnecessary detail. If you would like to know more in your sessions, then please do ask, I love what I do and I will always be more than happy to discuss.

I most often work with one parent individually, with or without baby, depending on their preferences and circumstances. Sometimes, two-parent families like to attend togehter, and/or vary who attends across sessions. For example, some parents like to start individually, then their partner may wish to join at a later point. Similarly, I may begin working with a parent or parents, to support them to come together in their parenting. As always, we can agree this together in the early sessions and check in as we go.

Some parents worry that if they ask for help because they are struggling, people may become concerned for their ability to care for their their child. This is rarely the case. 59% of parents of under 5s in England experience difficulties with their mental health, and 42% have been worried about the social or emotional wellbeing or behaviour of their child (UNICEF, 2022). Concerns are only raised in the most extreme circumstances, generally after a plan for safety has been discussed with a parent at length, without resolution. Asking for help means you are doing the best for your baby, and is a great sign for your parenting. Please don’t be afraid to reach out.

Whilst we often see mood and behavioural difficulties as existing within people, psychological science shows that we are shaped to a great extent by our relationships, both past and present. Given that 90% of brain connections are formed in the early years, this is a golden time to make positive changes.

Sometimes, relationship patterns can be passed down through generations and can show up as blind spots in how we see ourselves and others, including our baby (for example, we may find some behaviours, such as crying or hitting, particularly distressing, or perceive our baby to dislike us). These perspectives can sometimes affect the ways we feel about and respond to our babies. For some, therapy can be invaluable in picking up on these blind spots and working through them to enable a parent's relationship with their baby to be more peaceful and less affected by the past.

That said, I am by no means exclusively interested in relationships. We are a rich tapestry of biological, psychological, and social influences, and more, which is why I enjoy working from a range of approaches. At its core, one of my most fundamental tools in therapy is our relationship, and my priority will be working in a way that feels the right fit for you.

Yes. I work with families who are self-funded and those who are funded through private heath insurers. I am registered with Aviva, Bupa, WPA, Cigna, and AXA. If you would like to claim sessions on your health insurance, you will just need to contact them for a pre-authorisation code prior to commencing sessions. Since insurers sometimes cap session fees I may be limited in the sessions I can offer. Please let me know if you have any questions, and I will do my best to help.