Rebecca Reed

I currently have availability for new clients on Fridays at The Henry Centre in Westcliff-on-Sea.

Please get in touch to ask about current appointment times and arrange a free initial consultation. We can have a chat about what’s been going on and whether I might be able to help.

I work with children, young people and families. I have a particular interest in neurodiversity, including autism and ADHD. You don’t need a diagnosis to get in touch.

I’m a BACP-registered psychodynamic psychotherapist and a former teacher and SENCO. I bring warmth and curiosity to my work, taking time to get to know your child and understand things from their point of view.

Children don’t always know why they’re struggling or have the words to explain it. Some find it helpful to talk. Others prefer to play, draw or do something alongside me. We find a way of working that feels right for them.

My psychodynamic approach means looking beyond the behaviour we can see. I’m interested in your child’s feelings and relationships, and how their experiences may be affecting them now. We take time to understand what might be going on.

I work in a neurodiversity-affirming way. I respect differences in how children think, communicate and experience the world. We can explore sensory needs, the effort of fitting in and what makes things overwhelming. I also adapt how we work to suit your child.

I meet regularly with parents and carers too. We have a regular space to think together about what you’re noticing and what might help at home or school. There’s also room to talk about how things feel for you, including the difficult parts of parenting.

I offer face-to-face therapy at The Henry Centre in Westcliff-on-Sea. Sessions last 50 minutes and cost £60.

We usually begin with a free initial telephone conversation about what has prompted you to seek support and what you’re hoping therapy might offer. You’re welcome to ask questions, and we can think about whether my practice is a suitable fit.

For children and young people, the assessment period includes meetings with parents or carers and some sessions with the child or young person. This gives me time to hear the family’s concerns and history, while also getting to know the child and hearing their perspective. We then discuss what I think may be helpful and agree how to proceed.

Ongoing sessions take place weekly, at the same time. Having a regular space with someone they come to know and trust can help children and young people bring whatever is on their mind, including things they find difficult to share elsewhere.

Parent and carer reviews give us time to discuss how things are going and think about support outside therapy. After the assessment period, these are usually held online to make attending easier.

We discuss confidentiality and its limits at the beginning, including how I would respond to concerns about safety. We also agree how to keep parents informed while respecting the child or young person’s privacy.

I usually meet with parents or carers before meeting with the young person. This gives you time to talk openly about your concerns, share relevant background information and ask any questions. 

The first few sessions with your child give us time to get to know each other. They can explore the room and begin to feel comfortable with me. I’ll explain how therapy works and what stays private, including when I might need to share something to keep them safe.

There’s no pressure to talk about difficult things straight away. We might play, draw, use games or talk. Some children settle in quickly; others need more time. We go at their pace.These sessions help me hear your child’s perspective and think about what support might help. 

After these first sessions, I meet with parents or carers for an assessment review. We talk through my initial understanding, hear your thoughts and plan the work together. If another service or additional support would be helpful, we discuss that too.