Vivienne McCarthy

Sessions typically run following the school calendar, on a half- termly basis. Sessions can run over the Summer holiday, which would count as a separate half-term. 

Sessions are payable in advance of the first session, usually in half-term blocks. This secures the slot in the therapist's diary for the half-term and gives clarity and commitment to the work on both sides.  

When a child or teenager is struggling emotionally, it can affect the whole family.

As a parent, you may be worried about your child becoming increasingly anxious, overwhelmed, withdrawn, emotionally reactive or exhausted from trying to cope. You may have tried everything to support them but still feel unsure how to help.

If you are a teenager or young adult reading this yourself, you might feel constantly overwhelmed, emotionally drained, stuck in your head, socially exhausted or like you are masking who you really are just to get through the day.

Therapy can offer a space where you – or your child – no longer have to manage everything alone.

I provide integrative therapy for children, teenagers and young adults aged 4–21, with a particular specialism in supporting neurodivergent clients and those experiencing anxiety, burnout, emotional overwhelm and low self-esteem.

A Calm, Supportive Space to Be Yourself

Some children struggle to express big feelings and may show distress through behaviour, shutdowns, school refusal or emotional outbursts.

Many of the young people I work with have spent a long time feeling misunderstood, different or under pressure to fit in. They often describe:

• overthinking everything
• feeling emotionally exhausted from masking
• struggling socially despite appearing “fine”
• feeling disconnected from themselves
• anxiety that never fully switches off
• pressure from school, exams, friendships or social media
• feeling “too much” or “not enough”

Sometimes therapy is simply a place to breathe, process and feel understood without judgement.

I help children and young people to:

• feel safer expressing emotions
• better understand themselves
• reduce anxiety and overwhelm
• develop emotional regulation skills
• build confidence and self-worth
• improve relationships and communication
• feel less alone
• reconnect with who they are beneath the masking and pressure

Most importantly, I offer a space where children and young people can feel accepted for who they are — not who they think they should be.

How I Work

I am an integrative child and adolescent psychotherapist, which means I adapt therapy around the individual young person rather than expecting them to fit into one approach.

My work is neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed and relational. I aim to create a space where children and young people feel emotionally safe, accepted and genuinely heard.

Each session is 50 minutes long and takes place in the safe space, a dedicated and private room in my house, equipped with a range of resources, including imaginative toys, a sand tray, sensory toys, art materials and games. 

Not every child or young person finds it easy to talk directly about feelings. Some communicate best through play, creativity, humour, metaphor, movement or shared activities. Therapy can be adapted to what feels most comfortable and supportive for them.

Support for Parents

Parents often arrive feeling exhausted from carrying the emotional load behind the scenes — worrying constantly, advocating within schools, navigating waiting lists or wondering whether they are getting things wrong.

My approach is warm, collaborative and non-judgemental. Alongside supporting your child, I can also offer parent check-ins to help you better understand what may be happening emotionally beneath the surface and how to support your child more confidently at home.

I’m a parent and I want to refer a child or teenager for therapy:

Contact me to arrange a free 15-minute phone consultation. This gives us an opportunity to discuss your worries from your perspective. I will ask questions to gather information to see what may be useful to support your child. Together we can decide how to move forward.

If we agree to do so, I will book you, or you and your child, for an initial assessment, which will last 50 minutes. For younger children, or those anxious about coming, we can discuss ways to make the session less overwhelming. During this time, we will explore whether and how best we can work together.

Following the initial assessment, if we are all in agreement, we will arrange a parent assessment regular session time each week where I will meet with your child. Change this

I'm a young person and I want to refer myself for counselling:

If you are over 18, then you may self-refer by phone or email.

If you are under 18, depending on your circumstances, we may have to seek parental consent or consent from whoever is your legal guardian.

If you are under 18, I would recommend that you speak with your parent/guardian(s) about wanting to explore counselling, and if they agree, I am happy to hold a consultation with you.

Depending on your age and ability to provide consent for therapy, it may be appropriate to begin therapy without the parent/carer. This will be discussed during our consultation and addressed on a case-by-case basis.