Helen Critchley

Sessions are offered in a private room at Southwell Physio Clinic.

 There is ample free parking nearby and a quiet waiting room for parents/carers. The clinic is easily accessible by public transport.

Face to face sessions are offered on Friday mornings 9-12 and online sessions are offered more flexibly.

Please note I do not work the second half of school holidays (for example if half term is two weeks I offer sessions during the first week only).

I'm Helen, an Integrative and Play Psychotherapist (PGDip, MBACP) with over 15 years' experience supporting children, young people and families. Alongside my private practice, Mandala Psychotherapies, I work within NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Community and Crisis teams, combining extensive clinical experience with specialist postgraduate training in Integrative Psychotherapy and Play Therapy.

I understand that seeking support can feel like a big step. Whether you're a parent looking for help for your child, a young person wanting someone to talk to, or a professional seeking consultation, I aim to provide a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you feel heard, understood and supported.

I have worked extensively with children and young people experiencing anxiety, depression, low mood, trauma, bereavement, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), emotional regulation difficulties, self-harm, anger, eating difficulties, suicidal thoughts, school-related challenges, family and relationship difficulties, and neurodevelopmental differences, including autism and ADHD.

My experience across NHS CAMHS, education, community counselling services and alternative provision has given me a broad understanding of the challenges children, young people and families face. I believe therapy works best when it is collaborative, compassionate and built on trust. Where appropriate, I work alongside parents, carers and professionals to develop a shared understanding of a child's needs while ensuring the young person's voice remains central.

Above all, I believe every child and young person deserves to feel safe, accepted and understood. My role is to offer a therapeutic relationship where you or your child can explore their experiences at their own pace, develop emotional understanding, and build resilience and confidence.

I offer a range of therapeutic services tailored to the individual needs of children, young people, families and professionals, including:

Play Therapy – supporting children to express, process and make sense of their experiences through play, creativity and symbolic expression.

Integrative Psychotherapy – talking therapy for children and young people offering a approach tailored to each individual's needs and informed by various approaches (CBT, person centred, attachment based, psychodynamic, systemic etc)

Counselling - a safe space to talk and process or reflect.

Parent Formulation and Guidance – helping parents and carers develop a deeper understanding of their child's emotional world, behaviour and relationships, alongside strategies to support them.

Professional Consultation – providing therapeutic consultation, formulation and guidance for schools, organisations and professionals working with children and young people.

My therapeutic approach is integrative, meaning I adapt the way I work to the person sitting in front of me. My postgraduate training has equipped me to draw thoughtfully from a wide range of therapeutic approaches, always considering what will best meet the needs of each child or young person. Alongside this, my specialist play therapy training enables me to work creatively through play, art, sand tray, storytelling and other expressive methods, recognising that children communicate naturally without relying solely on words.

I offer a free initial 15 minute consult over the phone where we can explore if my support will suit you or your child's needs. 

From this we will agree what type of therapy or support is best, when to begin this and how many initial sessions we are all happy with. 

We will regular review therapy to ensure all are happy with the arrangement and extend or work towards an ending.