Adele Warren

I offer online, in person and in the family home. I have some availability in the evenings and weekends. I also offer whole family therapy and understand getting everyone together can be difficult with varying demands on time, so I can be flexible.

 I have a private practice in Bath, as well as working within the charity sector offering cost effective therapy.

I'm a fully accredited children, young peoples and family psychodynamic psychotherapist. Working in the age range of 4-24. I offer a warm, thoughtful and confidential space where children, adolescents, parents and care givers can explore the difficulties they are experiencing and begin to make sense of what may be happening beneath the surface, finding meaning to patterns of behaviour.

I adapt my practice and pace of work depending on the needs of the person or family. Usually multiple attempts have already been tried to address a reoccurring difficulty. Perhaps therapy, perhaps parenting courses, maybe even early help interventions and some respite was most likely felt, but the underlying behaviour continues regardless leading to a sense of defeat. Often what is happening is surface level solutions are providing a sticky plaster effect and a deeper problem may still need to be thought about and correctly processed. I take time to explore these unconscious internal dynamics as well as external influencing factors, such as culture, faith, organisational assumptions, as well as intergenerational influences and possible transmissions of trauma, which shape identity and relationships. 

I use multi modals; drawing on ideas from humanistic psychology, developmental research, attachment models, ideas from internal family systems and depth analytical psychotherapy, as well as systemic family therapy and other evidence-based approaches, such as emotional focused and psychodynamic therapy. I can offer surface relief in the way of actionable strategies from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Non Violent communication, as well as exploring helpful somatic grounding, mentalisation and mindfulness techniques; this can create a safe place to start the deeper work- if that is what you choose to work on. 

I have an MA in psychological therapies from The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust and I have many years experience working in social care, family support and schools, as well as specialist social emotional mental health practitioner experience.

Sometimes, we know something isn’t quite right, but we’re not always sure why.

Life can become difficult in ways that are hard to put into words. A child or young person may become anxious, withdrawn or angry. Family relationships can feel strained, communication can become difficult, or you may simply have a sense that something has changed and you’re not quite sure how to help.

Sometimes, we find ourselves caught in patterns that seem to repeat, even when we are trying our very best to do things differently. Therapy offers a place to pause, to listen and to begin making sense of what's happening.

I'm always interested to understand the person behind the behaviour; the story, the feelings and the relationships and experiences that have helped shape them.

I believe that children and young people communicate in many different ways. Through play, conversation, creativity and action, they can begin to express things that may be difficult to make sense of. With families, we can gently explore this type of communication, rather than placing blame on any one person.

My role is to offer a safe, thoughtful and accepting space where children, young people, parents and families can feel heard and understood. From there, we can start to explore what might be getting in the way and consider new ways of understanding ourselves and one another.

Therapy isn't about changing who you are. It is about developing a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships, so that there can be more choice, acceptance, connection and possibility in your life.

Sometimes, understanding where we have come from can help us find a different way forward.

I offer a 15 free consultation before there is any commitment to having a first session.

Your first session will simply be a place to begin.

Coming to therapy for the first time can feel like a big step. You may know exactly what has brought you, or you may simply have a feeling that things aren't quite right. You don't need to have all the answers before you come.

Our first session gives us an opportunity to meet, talk about what has been happening and begin to understand what life has been like for you, your child or your family. There is no expectation that you arrive knowing exactly what is wrong or what needs to change. 

I will listen carefully to what you bring, while also being curious about the wider story: your relationships, experiences and circumstances, and how these may be connected. Sometimes, understanding these connections can help things begin to make a little more sense.

There is no expectation that you share everything straight away. Therapy develops over time, and we will go at a pace that feels manageable and appropriate for you.

For children and young people, the first session may look a little different. We can use conversation, play or other ways of communicating, depending on their age and what feels most natural for them. For families, we can begin to think together about what has brought you here and what you would like to be different. Parent work tends to move at a faster pace, but many people leave a first session feeling a sense of relief, perhaps from finally having somewhere to talk, and from beginning to make sense of what has been happening.

The first session is also an opportunity for you to get a sense of me and how I work. Finding the right therapist is important, and it is completely natural to wonder whether therapy will feel comfortable and useful for you.

We will also talk through practical things such as how often we might meet, fees, confidentiality and any questions you may have, so that you know what to expect.