Welcome to Autumn Leaves Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy

A psychotherapy practice dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and parents.

"It is in playing and only in playing that the individual child is able to be creative and to use the whole personality, and it is only in being creative that the individual discovers the self"   D.W.Winnicott

Welcome to Autumn Leaves Psychotherapy

Autumn Leaves is a psychotherapy clinic dedicated to offering confidential support to children, adolescents, and parents, in a space that is non- judgemental, warm, comfortable and contained. 

Hi, my name is Emma and I am proud to be the founder of Autumn Leaves psychotherapy.  I am an Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist. This means that in my work, I am able to draw on many different therapeutic models depending on what you need. I believe that no therapeutic journey is the same and this is why I listen and think carefully with my clients about what they need, and how the treatment plan might evolve over time. 

I understand the courage it takes for children, adolescents and their families to embark on a therapeutic journey, and as your psychotherapist, I promise to be a dedicated support throughout this. 

At Autumn Leaves, I also offer compassionate prenatal and postnatal support. Pregnancy can be an emotionally rich but sometimes challenging time. Many internal changes happen during pregnancy; this is alongside the hormonal changes. 

In the early pre natal and post natal period women can experience a real feeling of sadness. Sometimes, women feel guilty about this and don't talk about it, which means it can be a really lonely time.  I offer a safe and confidential space for women who are living through this very sensitive period.  Autumn Leaves is a warm, empathic, non judgmental and confidential service. 

My training and experience:

I began my training in 2011 and qualified with a Masters degree in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy in 2017. Whilst training, I completed placements at St Thomas' hospital, where I worked with children from the age of  4 and adolescents from the age of 13 to 19 over a three year period. I also worked on a psychiatric unit at Great Ormand Street hospital where I supported adolescents aged 13 to 18.  During this time I also provided weekly support to parents. 

In 2014, I set up a therapeutic service within a large inner city primary school where I offered weekly support to children aged 5 to 11.  I also thought very carefully with parents and teachers about providing the right support to the children who were struggling in the classroom setting. 

It felt very important to help teachers to think more therapeutically about children who were unhappy and struggling at school, and who might be communicating  this through their behaviour, because often children simply can't find the words to explain it themselves. Helping children to have a happier and more positive experience of school was the driving force behind my decision to develop this practice. 

I am now based in Surrey and my aim is to provide a therapeutic service to children, adolescents and parents in Banstead and the surrounding areas. 

My hope is that my website gives you information that you find helpful, and gives you some insight into how I might be able to support you and your child or adolescent. If you feel that Autumn Leaves is the right fit for you, the next step will be to contact me on tel: 07947 307675 or email me at enquiries@autumnleavespsychotherapy.com  and book a free initial consultation. This is an opportunity for us to think together carefully about your needs and a possible assessment.  

 

An initial Consultation

What does it involve?

An initial consultation is important because it enables us to think together about what is happening, and how I might be able to help. It also gives you the opportunity to meet me and to ask me any questions. It is important that you feel completely happy with me as your therapist which is why there is no charge at this point. If we both feel the fit is right then we will agree on a day and time to start the assessment. The initial consultation usually takes 30 minutes depending on your needs.

What does the assessment involve? 

The assessment is carried out over 5 sessions. The first will be a parent session where I will take a detailed history of the difficulties your child is experiencing. The next three sessions will be with your child. Through sensitive attunement and careful observation, I will be able to recommend a treatment plan moving forward when I meet with you again for the 5th and final part of the assessment.