Frances Toynbee

I offer sessions in Ampleforth on Tuesdays and in York on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

I work with adults, children, young people in York and Ryedale and use a range of ways to help people work through and process difficult feelings and experiences. I believe that it is through developing a relationship of absolute trust that my clients can process and come to terms with whatever they may be struggling with. Life can be very hard at times, and having some support can make all the difference. 

My work is integrative which means I use a range of theoretical perspectives. I use talk, play and creative work and games to build the therapeutic relationship. My work is person-centred which means that my clients are in charge. I won't ask intrusive questions, we talk about what is troubling the client as and when they are ready. 

My background is in teaching and supporting children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties. I have a good understanding of the pressures  young children and young people experience and the impact this can have on families.

I have particular expertise in supporting bereaved adults and children.

I aim to work closely and cooperatively with parents and caregivers.

I offer a free confidential telephone conversation to arrange the first session and discuss the main issues to be explored.

I work with individuals face to face and offer a confidential space to explore difficult feelings.

I have consulting rooms in central York and in Ryedale.

In our first session, my aim is for us to decide together whether we are comfortable with each other. I believe the therapeutic relationship can only develop in the context of trust and ease.

I will ask a few questions and between us we will work out how we can work together. With younger clients, we may play, I will lay out various activities to be chosen from.

At the end of this session I ask clients or their parents to contact me to let me know if they want to continue..

I work in York on Wednesdays and Thursdays, usually in the early evening (4pm -7pm), but I can be flexible about sessions in the day.

I work in Ampleforth on Tuesdays.

I work with children, young people and adults in York and Ryedale and use a range of ways to help people work through and process difficult feelings and experiences. I believe that it is through developing a relationship of absolute trust that my clients can process and come to terms with whatever they may be struggling with. Life can be very hard at times, and having some support can make all the difference. If it is more practical, I can see clients in schooI.

My work is integrative which means I use a range of theoretical perspectives. I use talk, play and creative work and games to build the therapeutic relationship. My work is person-centred which means that my clients are in charge. I won't ask intrusive questions, we talk about what is troubling the child as and when they are ready. 

My background is in teaching and supporting children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties. I have a good understanding of the pressures  young children and young people experience and the impact this can have on families.

I have particular expertise in supporting bereaved adults and children.

I aim to work closely and cooperatively with parents and caregivers.

I work with individuals face to face and offer a confidential space to explore difficult feelings.

I have consulting rooms in central York and in Ryedale.

In our first session, my aim is for us to decide together whether we are comfortable with each other. I believe the therapeutic relationship can only develop in the context of trust and ease.

I will ask a few questions and between us we will work out how we can work together. With younger clients, we may play, I will lay out various activities to be chosen from.

At the end of this session we will discuss whether to continue.

I currently have availability for relationship therapy on Thursdays in York and Tuesdays in Ryedale (Ampleforth). Sessions are one and a half hours long and I see couples fortnightly.

The model I use for relationship therapy is called Imago. It is a way of learning to communicate positively with each other so that you can resolve difficult issues safely. I also coach couples to show their appreciation of each other, and to really listen to what each partner is saying. The work is based on the idea that if you can bring yourselves into the room, your intention is to make it work. I will help you with this. You will get clear instructions, and the framework I use has been developed internationally to create safety and space.

Every session will start with a grounding and calming exercise. We will check in with each other to ensure we can be as present and positive as we can be while in the room. We shall work on making sense of the conflicts that arise between you. We shall develop your ideas about what you want from your relationship, and how to love and be loved. We shall consider how the impact of your pasts can explain how you communicate now, as adults. You will learn new communication skills to break any destructive patterns you may have developed with each other. You will learn how to 'dialogue', a form of conversation which creates a framework for listening and understanding each other. At the heart of all the work will be keeping you both safe, heard and understood.

In our first session we will first of all talk about what you hope to achieve by coming to relationship therapy. I shall explain how we will be working and I will teach you the basics of an Imago dialogue. Our first dialogue will focus on appreciations of each other. We will talk about how your first met and fell in love with each other, and I will help you to articulate what it is you would like from your relationships with each other.