Frequently asked questions

We are specialists in supporting parents in navigating their children’s needs and their family life.

I hold a BSc Joint hons in Psychology and Neuroscience, a PGdip in Social Work and a PGdip in Early Years teaching. 

I have more then 20 years experience working with children and families. 

I have an up to date DBS check. 

• Family changes such as marriage, divorce, adoption
• Blended families
• General behavioural issues
• Understanding conditions such as Autism and ADHD
• How to support highly sensitive children
• Trauma
• Survivors of abuse/domestic violence 
• Mental health issues including anxiety and depression
• Stress
• How to have difficult conversations
• Life story work 
• New parents
• Communication 

The people who come to me are struggling in some way. They may need help with their parenting, they may be unhappy with their family life, they may feel stuck and paralysed. What they have in common is a desire for change and a willingness to try something new.

Absolutely. If you are the primary carer of your child and have parental responsibility I can work with you with whatever your particular circumstances require.

Unfortunately I can’t work with young people directly without also working with parents. 

If I felt that the service that was required was more therapeutic in nature than I could offer, I would support you to access appropriate services, for example, if someone had a clear mental health need or particular illness that needed treatment.

I am a therapeutic social worker. Although I use aspects different therapeutic models to support people, I do not have advanced training in a specific modality and this is not the service that I am offering. If someone comes to me who needs this kind of support, I would help to signpost to appropriate services.

For individual work I would recommend a minimum of six sessions as this is enough time to establish a relationship, plan and make some change. Some families may want or need more than this. But my aim is to make myself unnecessary. Some families may want to have some sessions, have a break and then come back. This is also ok. 

I also offer standalone workshops which may be for you if you have a particular issue that you would like advice on.

What we talk about would absolutely remain confidential, unless you give me permission to share. The exception to this would be if I was concerned about possible harm. In these circumstances I would be required to share information with the appropriate authorities.

I keep personal details secure in line with current guidelines. Should you wish to know what details I hold on you at any time you can submit a request in writing.

I am hoping to access funding in order to set up a bursary programme and funded programmes. Please do contact me if this is something you would be interested in so that I know where to direct this. 

Payments by instalments are also possible. 

This entirely depends on which session we are in, and what you are hoping to achieve in them. Some sessions may be goal orientated and may look like this. 

After an initial check in we would discuss what progress has been made since our last session, identify what has gone well, what hasn’t and look for any insights to help moving forward. We would then identify the next step of any plan or goal that we are working towards. 

Some sessions may be more exploratory. 

I have a few different ways of working with people. We may start at the beginning and work through where things are now and then move on to where we want things to be. Or we might start with the future and work backwards, touching on the past only when necessary to gain more understanding about what’s happening in the present.

I find that working online is often easier for people to access. However, I much prefer working face to face and would happily offer this if possible. I am based in South Devon. 

In my experience, the best changes come when parents are at the forefront. Children’s behaviour is often a reaction to things happening around them, or in their internal world. Parents and caregivers are best placed to help understand this and then to help a child with it.

I can help identify possible difficulties and help you to decide whether to pursue assessment and diagnoses and how to do this but I can’t diagnose someone. I can however, help with signposting to appropriate services. 

If you are unsafe in your relationship, I may not be the best person to help you right now. But please do contact me and I can help you to access the right support. 

If you do not feel unsafe, but anger is a part of your family life, we would need to talk about how best to proceed, ensuring everyone remains safe.

If you need to talk to someone immediately:

National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 – www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ (run by Refuge)

The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors – 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect)

The Mix, free information and support for under 25s in the UK – 0808 808 4994

National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428 (run by Galop)

Samaritans(24/7 service) – 116 123

Rights of Women advice lines, there are a range of services available