Sylvie Simonds

M, T, W and Thur

I provide face-to-face in addition to remote psychotherapy and counselling for adults in addition to families, and babies within the age period of 0-2.  I provide and opportunity to work short term in addition to more long term contacts and psychotherapy. 

I work with adults but also specialise in perinatal mental health with a particular emphasis on parent-infant therapy and dyadic work. I am also leading the development and implementation of a new perinatal and parent-infant therapy counselling service within the new Families Centre based in York.

I believe psychotherapy and counselling is an art – and an art of holding, containing, exploring and making sense of one’s internal and external worlds. I provide compassionate, and creative analytical therapeutic support for those experiencing psychic suffering, distress and emotional pain. 

The first initial assessment will be slightly longer 60 minutes in order to get a greater understanding of the client's needs, focus and direction of therapy and counselling. After the assessment therapy is once a week and is 50 minutes. 

It is my passionate belief that when we support mothers, fathers, grandparents and carers with assurance, empathy, trust, compassion, knowledge and security we provide psychotherapeutic opportunities for the carer/ mother and baby to experience new encounters of joy, wonder and compassion.

These experiences allow clients to psychically ‘heal,’ connect and open themselves to hope and security, which otherwise might have not been possible. Secure attachment and developmental attunement creates new neurological pathways for the infant, which are not only generative for the baby but also for the mother/carer and provide longstanding positive effects for emotional self -regulation and cognitive development.

The benefits of emotional regulation are mutually beneficial, generating neurological plasticity which can radically alter and interrupt the longstanding and devastating effects of transgenerational trauma and childhood adversity. I have seen and witnessed profound change occur not only in myself, but also directly in my clinical experience as a psychotherapist working in both general and perinatal specialisms.

During your first session there will be an assessment which takes 60 minutes. This allows an identification of therapeutic need, contract and relevant information for therapy. 

M, T, W and Thur

 I believe in the psychological transformations that are possible for mothers and fathers experiencing postnatal and mental health distress, both at the complex and less severe spectrum.

It is my passionate belief that when we support mothers, fathers, grandparents and carers with assurance, empathy, trust, compassion, knowledge and security we provide psychotherapeutic opportunities for the carer/ mother and baby to experience new encounters of joy, wonder and compassion.

These experiences allow mothers to psychically ‘heal,’ connect and open themselves to hope and security, which otherwise might have not been possible. Secure attachment and developmental attunement creates new neurological pathways for the infant, which are not only generative for the baby but also for the mother/carer and provide longstanding positive effects for emotional self -regulation and cognitive development.

The benefits of emotional regulation are mutually beneficial, generating neurological plasticity which can radically alter and interrupt the longstanding and devastating effects of transgenerational trauma and childhood adversity. I have seen and witnessed profound change occur not only in myself, but also directly in my clinical experience as a psychotherapist working in both general and perinatal specialisms.”

In the first session I will complete and assessment which takes 60 minutes. This process helps to identify client suitability and therapeutic needs. A contract will be completed and negotiated.