Pamela Patten

I currently provide therapy sessions from Mondays - Thursday only

I am an Integrative Counsellor and EMDR* Trauma-Informed Therapist. (*Eye Movement, Desensitisation & Reprocessing is a psychotherapeutic model developed by Francine Shapiro to help process unresolved traumatic memories linked to past or current experiences.)

I offer confidential therapy sessions where children, young people and adults can gain support to cope with difficult life challenges, abuse or traumas that may negatively affect how they see themselves, their relationships or life in general.

Counselling/therapy can be an opportunity to enhance self-awareness; develop coping strategies, build resilience or think about future goals.

My appreciation of working with children, young people and adults from diverse communities comes from the various roles I have had for over 30 years as a qualified social worker and manager. I have supported individuals in Child & Adolescent Mental Health settings (CAMHS - NHS & Social Care), Adoption & Fostering, Residential Care, Education and Voluntary settings. I have offered counselling/therapy within a GP Practice, H.M. Prison and co-managed a therapeutic service for children, young people and young adults. These experiences have enabled me to have a wider understanding of some of the complex emotional, physical and psychological issues that may influence a person's decision to explore counselling. My aim is to create a safe space where clients of all ages can feel listened to, and be supported to achieve what they would like to get out of counselling.

My integrative counselling approach draws on a range of therapeutic models including Person-Centred, Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused, Systemic Family Therapy, Internal Family Systems & EMDR.

The therapeutic support that I provide is also informed by an attachment-focused perspectives which has developed from my role in managing a multi-disciplinary Creative Therapy teams, including therapists trained or qualified in Art, Play and Filial therapy, Video Interaction Guidance (VIG), Theraplay and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP). I am very aware of how early childhood experiences can significantly influence emotional development, self-perception & relationships in adolescence and in adulthood.

I work within an integrative approach to counselling which recognises the diversity of human beings, therefore the sessions will be shaped by the needs of each client. I am committed to valuing the uniqueness of each person and I am respectful of differences related to race, culture, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, disability, status, religion, belief or age.

Counselling or therapy sessions are usually 50 minutes. (For EMDR sessions, this may require longer sessions for processing.)

The first session will provide the opportunity for you to ask the questions you may have about counselling and the support that I offer.

This initial conversation will also enable an assessment of what you would like to get out of counselling/therapy, and to explore some of the things that have influenced your decision to pursue counselling at this time.  Additional information will be discussed about how we may work together, issues relating to the boundaries of confidentiality, and in regards to your well being and safety.

This will begin the process of us getting to know each other so that we can decide whether the support I offer will be the best way forward for you.