I’m a qualified BACP registered psychotherapist counsellor and my core practitioner training has been completing a 3 year Children and Young People specialist course accredited by both the UKCP and BACP. I am trained to work with young people up to the age of 25. I’m working towards full clinical membership of UKCP alongside my private practice work which is under the supervision of a BACP accredited supervisor who is also a Child and Young person specialist. She is also highly experienced with UKCP styles of practice and approach including work with adults and couples. My adult and couple work is a newer area of work. I have undertaken recent CPD in couples therapy. I’ve written here about the current landscape in children and young people’s mental health in the UK to hopefully show how it informs my rationale for offering my services as a counsellor/therapist in private practice at this time as I work towards accreditation with both UKCP and BACP. So far my clients have been able to access specialist quality work with me promptly and as I move forwards I am committed to contributing to helping improve accessibility for children and young people to get the support they need in a timely manner. I have set my fees to be as affordable as possible for clients while attempting to meet my own running expenses and financial commitments. My contracts usually state that sessions take place on a weekly basis and that we will work together to bring the work to a close, therefore the possibility to work either short term or longer term with me is on offer. I usually work with parents and involve them in the work using parent reviews.
You can see me listed on the trainee directory on UKCP website and on the BACP register.
Here’s a broader look at the current landscape in the UK as the profession continues to evolve.



Over recent years the mental health needs of children and young people (CYP) in the UK have been rising sharply — both in quantity and in complexity. Key drivers include post‑pandemic fallout, the cost‑of‑living crisis, increased exposure to social media, family instability, etc.
Some of the concrete issues:

• Many therapists are reporting more complex presentations: combinations of anxiety, self‑harm, eating disorders, risk factors such as substance misuse, online grooming, bullying, etc.
  
  
• Waiting times for specialist services (e.g. CAMHS or equivalent) are growing; many children must reach higher thresholds of severity before being accepted.
  
  
• There are gaps in geographic provision and in equality of access: underserved areas, underrepresented communities, etc.
  
  
• Workforce strains: shortage of highly trained specialists, decreasing number of posts in NHS services or threat of services being scaled back.
  
  

These pressures create dilemmas for policy, for training, for service delivery (e.g. school counsellors, digital means), and ethically (thresholds of care, inclusion, child voice, etc.).


BACP & UKCP: Who They Are & Their Roles with CYP
Before comparing approaches, here’s a quick sketch of two organisations:

• BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy) is one of the largest membership and accrediting bodies for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK. It has broad representation across therapeutic modalities, many of its members work with children & young people (CYP), either specifically or amongst mixed caseloads.
  
  
• UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) is another large and arguably more psychotherapy‑oriented professional body, including multiple psychotherapy colleges/approaches, as well as specialist branches (e.g. the College for Child and Adolescent Psychotherapies). UKCP emphasizes psychotherapy training and post‑qualifying specialist accreditation.
  
  

Both bodies are voluntary regulators/accreditors (not statutory regulation), so membership, accreditation, and recognized qualifications are important for professional credibility, insurance, etc. But there are differences in emphasis, structure, training routes, and how child/young person work is handled.
Differences in Approach: BACP vs UKCP in Relation to Young People
Here are some of the ways BACP and UKCP differ (or are differentiating) in approach when it comes to working with children, young people, families, etc.



UKCP’s Approach vs. BACP’s Approach
Specialist training / registration for child/adolescent work
UKCP has a special Child Register: to be on it you must do specialist child training or an approved post‑qualifying course. UKCP used to offer a Proficiency Marker for those mainly trained with adults but with added competence for working with under‑18s. But this Proficiency Marker is no longer open for new applications; now if someone wants UKCP accreditation for child work they must follow the full accreditation pathway.
BACP also has standards and ethical expectations for working with young people, but tends to have a broader approach: many counsellors who aren’t exclusively child specialists will see children/young people, often as part of mixed caseloads. BACP tends to include children/young people work in its general counselling & psychotherapy training and in its ethical framework and guidance. There is less of a separate “child‑psychotherapy only” route (compared to UKCP’s child register).
Modality / theoretical emphasis
UKCP’s child‑side often emphasises psychotherapy (longer‑term, developmental, relational, psychodynamic, play, art, etc.), developmental needs, non/verbal communication, relational and systemic factors. The College for Child and Adolescent Psychotherapies (CCAP) under UKCP stresses working with the inner life of the child, their play or symbolic expression, nonverbal emotional needs, relational repair, working with parents/families.
BACP supports a wider span of modalities. Some practitioners working with children will do short‑term counselling, solution‑focused work, CBT‑informed, narrative, etc., especially in school or community settings. There is greater focus in many BACP settings on accessibility, choice, timeliness, settings like schools, etc. BACP tends to accommodate a diversity of approaches from brief to longer‑term.
Ethics, safeguarding, child‑centred principles
UKCP has specific guidance around working with children: understanding developmental stages, using play and non‑verbal methods, working ethically with the child voice, best interests of child, working with parents/carers, systemic/contextual factors. The child’s perspective, rights, relational context are central.
BACP also has ethical frameworks that apply to CYP work; they require competencies in working with children (e.g. knowledge of developmental issues, safeguarding). However, some critiques point to how clearly separated or specialised that guidance is, especially compared to UKCP’s child specialist registers etc. There have been recent discussions about how strongly certain phrases are retained or changed in ethical frameworks—e.g. regarding “specialist skills for children” etc.
Settings & reach (e.g. schools, community vs NHS etc.)
UKCP child specialists are often in settings needing more in‑depth or longer term work — sometimes private, sometimes third sector, sometimes NHS, often in roles where family work, systemic or psychotherapeutic depth is required. Because of the specialist training, perhaps less likely to be first port of call in more brief, immediate interventions.
BACP has been strong in pushing for wider access: school‑based counselling, early intervention, more universal access, more brief interventions, making counselling available in community settings, etc. Their advocacy tends to include ensuring more counsellors in schools and FE colleges.
Regulation, recognition, thresholds
UKCP tends to emphasise the depth of training, specialist accreditation, registering specialities; for children’s work a higher threshold is expected to enter the child register. This can mean greater assurance of specialist competence in more complex work.
BACP’s strength is often in breadth and flexibility: many members, lower barriers to some parts of membership/training, more widespread presence. But that breadth can also mean variation in how child work is delivered in practice (length of therapy, modality, funding). Also challenges around ensuring consistency of competency in more complex cases.


What are the Tensions & Challenges
While both bodies are doing vital work, there are tensions and unresolved issues in practice, policy and ethics:

1. Access vs. Specialist Quality
   
   There is a trade‑off: many children need quicker, more accessible support (in schools, in community settings). But specialist psychotherapy (especially of longer term psychodynamic / relational kind) takes time, resources, training. There are shortages of specialists, and many NHS/commissioned services focus on those with more severe presentation, meaning some children with moderate distress get missed.
   
   
2. Waiting times, thresholds, service provision
   
   The reports indicate that many young people have to reach higher severity to be eligible for care; waiting times are growing; some services are being downsized or closed.
   
   
3. Inequalities in provision
   
   Geographical, socioeconomic, cultural / ethnic inequalities remain significant. Some areas have good access and high levels of trained CYP specialists; others do not.
   
   
4. Training funding, capacity & standards
   
   Training specialist child psychotherapists is long and expensive. Bursaries, inclusion, and diversity are being addressed, but many training posts are limited. Keeping standards high while scaling up is difficult.
   
   
5. Regulatory ambiguity and public protection
   
   Because “counsellor,” “psychotherapist,” etc are not protected titles in many parts of the UK, there’s risk of unqualified or under‑qualified practitioners offering services. Both UKCP and BACP use voluntary registers, accreditation, ethical frameworks, etc., but public understanding is uneven. Calls for statutory regulation are rising.
   
   
6. Adapting to changing societal pressures
   
   Technology, social media, online life, family instability, climate anxieties, etc., are creating new forms of distress. Therapeu­tic models need to adapt (e.g., use of digital therapies or online components, addressing cyberbullying or isolation online, and supporting agency of the young person). Some work is underway, but services are often slow to adapt.

Emerging & Future Trends
Here are some of the developments likely to shape the near future:

• Growth in training capacity for child/adolescent psychotherapy: More training places, especially in England, and increasing efforts to improve diversity (geographical, ethnic).
  
  
• Commission on the Future of Counselling & Psychotherapy (PCPB / UKCP etc.): UKCP together with other professional bodies are undertaking a commission to examine the landscape, issues, and what needs to change.
  
  
• Digital / hybrid delivery: More services use teletherapy, online counselling, remote working etc. These can help access, but present challenges like ensuring safeguarding, equity, quality.
  
  
• Emphasis on early intervention, prevention & school‑based services: The idea that waiting until crisis or severe pathology is too late. Schools and colleges are key settings for early identification and support. BACP has long advocated for expanding school‑based counselling.
  
  
• Focus on child rights, developmental and relational approaches: Increased recognition that therapy for children is different: needs non‑verbal/multi‑modal methods, play, family/systemic context, developmental trauma, etc. UKCP’s child‑specialist colleges emphasise this.
  
  
• Regulatory reform: Pressure from MPs, public, and professional bodies to give stronger statutory regulation or protection of titles, to improve public protection.

What Does This Mean in Practice for Children, Therapists & Families?
Here are some implications:

• For children / young people: More are likely to experience delays in getting help, or limited choices (e.g. shorter term vs. longer term therapy). Those with more complex needs may get access, but those in moderate distress or early stages might not. The quality and nature of therapy can vary depending on whether the practitioner is specialist or more generalist.
  
  
• For families & carers: Family involvement, relational work, systemic or parent/carer work will likely become more expected in some specialist settings. But in many community or school settings, the focus may be more on individual counselling, more brief models, or signposting.
  
  
• For therapists in training / professionals: There is growing incentive to get specialist training for child/adolescent work if that is your interest, given the strong claims around competence, registers, recognition. But such training is time‑intensive and costly. The “breadth vs depth” question is real: should you train for many modalities or specialize deeply?
  
  
• For commissioners and policy: There is pressing need for investment, for clarifying what kinds of services are effective, for supporting workforce growth, for reducing inequalities, for embedding child‑centred developmental principles into delivery, for ensuring safeguards, etc.

Reflections & Questions Moving Forward
Some reflections and open questions:

• How can services balance speed/access (so children aren’t left for too long waiting) with quality and depth (so that therapy is effective for more complex needs)?
  
  
• How to ensure equitable access across regions, socioeconomic groups, minority ethnic communities, rural vs urban?
  
  
• What role should statutory regulation play (e.g. protecting titles)? How soon might that happen, and what would it require?
  
  
• How to better integrate services: schools, community, NHS, private/third sector, so that children aren’t bounced around or excluded?
  
  
• How to adapt training, supervision, ethical standards to new challenges: digital work, social media, trauma, developmental needs, etc.
  
  

 


If you’ve ever been in therapy — or are thinking about starting — you might wonder what happens when something doesn’t feel quite right between you and your therapist. Maybe you felt misunderstood, hurt, or just a little distant. This kind of moment is what therapists call a “rupture” — and believe it or not, it can be one of the most healing parts of the work.
Let me explain.

💥 What Is a Rupture? A rupture is a moment of disconnection or tension in the therapeutic relationship. It can happen when:

• You feel your therapist didn’t fully understand you
• You’re hurt by something they said (or didn’t say)
• You find yourself shutting down or pulling away
• You feel angry, disappointed, or even embarrassed

These moments can feel uncomfortable. But here’s the good news: they’re a natural and even expected part of the therapeutic process — especially in deeper, long-term work.

🔄 Why Ruptures Aren’t a Bad Sign
In fact, ruptures can be a sign that something important is happening. Therapy isn’t just about feeling good all the time — it’s also about growing, healing, and sometimes stretching into new emotional territory. When a rupture is handled with care and compassion, it can lead to something powerful: repair.

💬 What Does “Repair” Mean?
Repair is what happens when therapist and client notice that something’s off — and talk about it, together. That might mean:

• Naming what felt hurtful or disconnecting
• Exploring the feelings that came up
• Your therapist really listening — and maybe even apologizing
• Making sense of the moment, not just moving past it

When this kind of repair happens, something shifts. Many clients say they feel more seen, more valued, and more connected afterward — not less.

🧠 Why This Matters for Healing
Many of us grew up in environments where conflict meant rejection, silence, or shame. So it makes sense if part of you fears what might happen when things feel “off” in a relationship — even in therapy.
But here’s what rupture and repair can teach you:

• You can speak up and still be cared for
• Relationships can survive tension
• Your feelings matter — even the messy ones
• You don’t have to shut down, lash out, or disappear

Over time, this can help rewrite old relational patterns and build a stronger sense of trust — not just in the therapist, but in yourself.

🌱 A Different Kind of Relationship
In therapy, we’re not just talking about relationships — we’re building one, in real time. And like any real relationship, it’s not always smooth. But when you can move through those rough patches with honesty and care, that’s where real healing happens.
So if you’re worried that something felt “off” in a session — or if you’re nervous about what might happen if it does — know this:
You don’t have to be perfect in therapy. And neither does your therapist. What matters is how we show up, how we listen, and how we repair — together.

💬 Ready to Begin?
If you're curious about how therapy might help you explore deeper patterns in your relationships — including the one with yourself — I’d be honoured to walk alongside you. Whether you're new to therapy or returning after time away, you're welcome here, exactly as you are.
Feel free to reach out for a consultation or ask any questions you might have.

 
Support for couples in Leeds & York, UK
Every relationship has its ups and downs. But when the same arguments keep happening, communication breaks down, or emotional distance creeps in, it can start to feel overwhelming—and lonely.
That’s where integrative couples therapy can make a real difference.
If you and your partner are struggling, or simply want to deepen your connection, this flexible and collaborative approach to therapy could offer the support you need.

What Is Integrative Couples Therapy? Unlike a “one-size-fits-all” method, integrative couples therapy draws from a range of therapeutic models—such as emotionally focused therapy (EFT), psychodynamic, humanistic, and cognitive-behavioural approaches—to suit the unique dynamics of your relationship.
In other words: it meets you both where you are.
Your therapist will work with you to explore:

• Patterns of communication and behaviour
• How past experiences (including childhood or previous relationships) may be shaping current challenges
• Unmet emotional needs, misunderstandings, and moments of disconnection
• Practical ways to rebuild trust, intimacy, and understanding

The goal is not to assign blame, but to create a space where each person feels seen, heard, and better equipped to respond to each other with care and clarity.

The Role of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) One of the most effective and widely used approaches in integrative couples work is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).
EFT is based on the idea that emotional connection is the foundation of a healthy relationship. When that connection feels threatened—through conflict, distance, or unmet needs—we often react with defensiveness, criticism, or withdrawal, even if what we really want is closeness and security.
EFT helps couples:

• Identify the emotional patterns or "dance" they’re caught in
• Understand the deeper emotions and needs beneath the surface reactions
• Learn to express those needs in a way that brings closeness instead of conflict
• Strengthen their bond by building trust and emotional responsiveness

Research shows EFT has a strong success rate and lasting impact, particularly for couples struggling with distance, recurring arguments, or emotional disconnection.

Who Might It Help? Couples therapy isn’t just for those on the brink of breaking up. In fact, many couples say they wish they’d started sooner.
You might benefit from integrative couples therapy if you’re experiencing:

• Frequent or unresolved arguments
• A loss of intimacy or emotional closeness
• Issues with trust, betrayal, or jealousy
• Life transitions (new baby, illness, job loss, blended families, etc.)
• Cultural or interfaith differences creating strain
• Communication difficulties or feelings of being "stuck"
• Wanting to separate or divorce in a respectful and supported way

Whether you’ve been together for two years or twenty, therapy can help you slow down, reflect, and move forward—together or separately—with greater awareness.

What Makes the Integrative Approach Different? The integrative model is especially helpful because no two couples are the same. Some need a structured, solution-focused approach. Others may need to process deeper emotional wounds or develop entirely new ways of relating.
A skilled integrative therapist will tailor the sessions to reflect your personalities, values, and relationship goals—rather than fitting you into a rigid formula.
And if one or both of you are experiencing mental health issues, trauma, or neurodiversity, your therapist can integrate individual support into the work without losing focus on the couple dynamic.

What to Expect in Sessions
Therapy typically begins with an assessment to understand your relationship history and what’s brought you to this point. From there, sessions may involve:

• Exploring conflicts in a safe, facilitated space
• Practising better communication and listening
• Identifying emotional triggers and needs
• Gaining insight into relational patterns

You’ll be encouraged to speak openly—but always with respect. And your therapist is there to guide you, not take sides.

Couples Therapy in Leeds & York – Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you're based in Leeds or York and looking for couples therapy, an integrative approach offers a supportive and flexible space to explore what’s really going on in your relationship—and how to move forward.
Whether you're facing ongoing conflict, growing apart, or simply want to reconnect more deeply, therapy can help you feel heard, understood, and better equipped to navigate the road ahead.
📧 To book a session or make an enquiry, please send an email to [email protected].
You’re welcome to reach out with any questions, and we can arrange an initial session to see if the fit feels right for you.

Living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)—also known as ME/CFS—can be incredibly challenging. It’s more than just feeling tired. It’s a complex, long-term illness that can affect nearly every part of your life: your energy, mood, sleep, concentration, relationships, and even your sense of identity.
For both teenagers and adults, the emotional toll can be heavy—and that’s where therapy can help.
What Can Therapy Offer?
Therapy isn’t a “cure” for CFS, but it can offer powerful support in coping with the condition and improving your quality of life.
Here’s how:
1. Understanding and Validation
People with CFS are often misunderstood or not taken seriously. A therapist who understands chronic illness can offer a space where your experiences are believed, not questioned.
2. Emotional Support
It’s common to feel frustrated, anxious, isolated, or even depressed while living with CFS. Therapy gives you a safe place to talk about those feelings and develop strategies for managing them.
3. Managing Stress and Pacing
Stress can make symptoms worse. Therapy can help you:

• Learn pacing techniques to avoid overexertion
• Set realistic goals
• Manage the guilt or pressure to “push through”

4. Support for Teenagers
Teens with CFS may struggle with missing school, friendships, or feeling different from their peers. Therapy can help them:

• Build confidence and self-compassion
• Navigate school and social pressures
• Communicate better with family and teachers

5. Support for Adults
Adults may face work challenges, parenting while unwell, or navigating healthcare systems. Therapy can help with boundaries, grief over lost roles, and adjusting to a new pace of life.

What About Somatic Therapy?

For many with CFS, the body can start to feel like the enemy—unpredictable, limited, or full of discomfort. Somatic therapy offers a gentle, body-based approach that helps you reconnect with your physical self in a safe and supportive way. Rather than pushing the body, somatic work focuses on listening to it. This can help reduce nervous system overwhelm, release tension, and support a sense of calm. Over time, it may even help shift how you relate to your body, building a greater sense of trust and safety within.

You’re Not Alone

​Whether you’re a teen, a parent, or an adult living with CFS, therapy can be a lifeline. It’s not about “fixing” you—it’s about walking with you, helping you find your own tools, balance, and sense of self in the midst of a very real condition.
You deserve care, support, and a space where your experience is truly understood.

You can read more about Working with chronic illness in counselling in a recent BACP "Therapy today" article written by Lucy McDonald MBACP here.

Starting therapy can feel like a big step. You might be wondering: “Will my therapist really understand me?”
For many people, culture plays a big role in that question.
Whether it’s your background, language, faith, family traditions, or life experiences—your culture shapes how you see the world, express emotions, and cope with challenges. That’s why cultural sensitivity in counselling isn’t just a bonus—it’s essential.
What Is Cultural Sensitivity in Therapy? Cultural sensitivity means your therapist takes the time to understand and respect your unique cultural identity. It means they won’t make assumptions, overlook important parts of your experience, or expect you to “fit” into one way of thinking or healing.
A culturally sensitive therapist will:

• Listen without judgement, even if your values or traditions are different from theirs
• Adapt their approach to suit your needs, rather than follow a one-size-fits-all model
• Acknowledge the impact of culture, identity, and discrimination or systemic issues on your mental health
• Create a safe space where you can be your full self—not just parts of you that “fit in”

Therapy That Sees the Whole You
When your therapist understands where you're coming from, therapy can feel more genuine and effective. You're not just being treated as a set of symptoms, but as a whole person—with a history, a culture, and a voice that matters.
So if you’re considering therapy, it’s okay (and important!) to look for someone who is culturally aware, open-minded, and committed to learning about your world.
You deserve to be seen, heard, and understood—for exactly who you are.