Associate Work at Purple House

My Career So Far

I have worked at The Purple House Clinic, Leicester, since 2021 as a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist Associate. I initially qualified as an Occupational Therapist, working in acute psychiatric wards. Through later work in CAMHS, I became interested in the psychodynamic framework. I completed my pre-clinical Masters qualification in Psychoanalytic Observational Studies and later my Doctorate in Child Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at theTavistock Clinic. My specialist Doctorate research focussed on  Adolescent bereavement. Throughout my lengthy  NHS career, I worked for many years in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy teams, later becoming the Professional Lead for Child Psychotherapy across the Leicestershire Partnership Trust (LPT). I continue to offer supervision to CAMHS staff and run reflective practice groups in the Trust. 

The Role of a Psychotherapist

Psychotherapists work beyond the presenting symptoms, focussing on deeper issues below the surface and the primary focus is the relationship between the therapist and patient. The therapeutic relationship is paramount in the work as it provides a template for how the client might relate to other people. 

Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy training is focussed on the development of children, adolescents and young people up to the age of 25 years..This in depth, relationship focussed  training has meant that I can work with complex difficulties and really appreciate the importance and value of the work being undertaken as it impacts so profoundly across young people’s lives.

My Work at The Purple House Clinic, Leicester

I offer clinical sessions with children, teenagers, young adults , and their families and networks. My clients at Purple House present with various issues, for example, low confidence, tantrums, underachievement at school, anxiety and depression, self-harm, bereavement, attachment issues, and experience of abuse, neglect, and trauma.