Patricia Collins

I do not work evenings after 8pm.

I am an integrative therapist working with children and young people aged 5- 25 years old.  My approach is relational, empathetic, non-judgemental, child centred and I offer a calm, safe, contained space for children/young people to support them to explore their difficulties and concerns.

I employ an integrative approach to therapy, which means I draw on different therapeutic approaches: person-centred, psychodynamic, which ensures counselling is tailored to  individual needs, developmental age, and personal circumstances.

What I can help with:

Younger children: Children can sometimes feel overwhelmed by challenging emotions or circumstances. I use play and creative materials, alongside talk based therapy, which is a powerful tool for children to express their feelings when they may not have the words to do so.

Familiar issues:  anxiety, behavioural issues, school transitions, friendship,  bullying, self-esteem, low mood, family issues,  emotional dysregulation.

Teens: Adolescence is an enormous period of change & the transition to adulthood can feel a stressful time as your young person  experiences new demands, physically, socially, and emotionally. 

Young  adults: This can be a challenging time looking for employment, finishing school, starting university, leaving home for the first time. 

Familiar issues teens & young adults: relationships, peer pressure, identity body image, stress, challenging emotions, self-esteem, exam/ work stress, family breakdown.

I have substantial experience working with children and young people in primary and secondary schools face to face and online.  

I set up my practice as I am passionate about children and young people's mental health and well being. I currently work with a leading child and young people's bereavement charity working face to face, online in school and at home. 

I trained with Place2be, a leading children's mental health charity and undertook a BACP accredited Post Graduate Diploma training in Counselling and Psychotherapy for children and young people in schools. Post studies, I completed a course on Understanding Adolescence at The Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust. 

I undertake regular continued professional development training (CPD) related to children & young people including: Trauma informed care, Suicide & bereavement, Transgenerational trauma, Children's brain & emotional development (Tavistock & Portman),  Traumatic bereavement working therapeutically (Anna Freud/UK Trauma council, Self Harming in children & adolescents ( Beacon House). MBT Mentalization Introdution to supporting children and families ( Anna Freud)

I offer a no obligation 15 minute telephone call, for which there is no charge. If you are interested in continuing, I offer an assessment of 60 minutes with the parent(s)/guardian to fully explore the issue and how therapy can help. This initial meeting does offer an opportunity to speak freely and can be arranged online or face to face for my standard fee of £80.

For children under 18, the assessment is completed with the parent(s)/guardian. If you decide to proceed,  we can set up the therapy sessions and agree the number of sessions, frequency and review process. The sessions are  £80 for 50 minutes, typically once per week and at an agreed time.