Parenting Counselling in South London, London

I am passionate about my job as a psychologist and helping people from all walks of life who have found themselves needing a bit of support. Alongside my private practice I work in the NHS as a senior psychologist with children and families who may be struggling to connect with themselves or each other. I work with many different difficulties including trauma, anxiety, emotion dysregulation. I also work with neurodiversity including ADHD and ASD.

I am Dr Kirsty Carmichael and I am a Practitioner Psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) with more than 12 years experience of working in the NHS. I offer a range of psychological therapies for adults, young people, couples and families.

As an integrative counsellor, I use a range of approaches and models. I will work with you to help you to explore whatever life issues you may be struggling with. Our sessions gives you the opportunity to discuss your thoughts, feelings and experiences in a non-judgemental and confidential space. I will give you time to work out how to best cope with what you are facing, to come to terms with the past as well as to explore ways to improve your relationships. I will support you but also at times challenge you so that you can honestly evaluate and clarify what really matters to you.

As a Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist, I was trained to carefully observe children and young people and respond to what they are consciously and unconsciously communicating through their behaviour, verbally and non-verbally, through unstructured play, their silence, and other ways to communicate their emotional difficulties or distress. I have several years working in the NHS in CAMHS, and with charity organizations, providing evidence-based therapy and individual & group interventions for children and adolescents and supporting the networks involved in their care so that they can build resilience, flourish and live fuller lives.

Parenting a child with emotional or behavioural problems is difficult. It's hard when they're struggling with anxiety or low mood, or showing fearful, sad or clingy behaviour that you just can't seem to help them with. They may have ADHD, sleep or behaviour issues, needing you to adapt your parenting - but you've tried everything and nothing has worked. These issues are understandably going to be affecting your home life, relationship, mood or confidence. It can feel isolating and lonely dealing with these every day challenges. A safe, nonjudgmental space with an experienced clinician can be transformative for you and your child.

I offer specialist clinical psychology assessment, formulation and treatment to children, adolescents, parents and young adults based in South East London. I can offer face to face sessions in Blackheath or online therapy.

To make the first step to reach out for help is the most difficult one. I provide an environment where clients can feel comfortable exploring their challenges, their emotions and finding solutions. I recognise and support your autonomy, working with couples is to help both parties through the process of managing communication styles. There is scope for you to attend individual sessions, it is a good opportunity to be incorporated in your couple's work.

I offer Integrative Therapy for adults and young people, and family work. I specialise in anxiety, over- thinking, adhd, healing from childhood trauma and parenting for children with neurodiversity. I take a holistic, intuitive and non judgemental approach, where all parts of you (and your child) are welcome.

Starting a counselling process can feel daunting. Your Journey begins with a single step which you have already made by reading this information. You may feel stuck with anxious and/or depressed feelings and would like to learn healthy ways to cope and move forward. Would you like to learn more positive ways of communicating with your child, partner, parent or family? Or perhaps you wish to have a deeper connection with your partner. You hold the key to make positive changes for a happier, satisfying and fulfilling life.

I have worked for the past 7 years for a Children's Mental Health Charity with a particular experience in supporting parents with issues impacting on their parenting and family relationships including separation and divorce, bereavement, domestic abuse, anxiety and depression and low self-esteem. Parents who have engaged in counselling have reported an improvement in their confidence, self-esteem and emotional wellbeing which has impacted on their family relationships. During the Pandemic I have supported many clients through my private practise with issues related to home-working and subsequent anxiety and depression.

I am an MBACP registered psychotherapist. I work with clients of all ages, but have a particular interest in working with children and young people. I have a longstanding interest in how our early relationships affect our development. I offer counselling (including play therapy where appropriate) and parenting support. I work as an integrative therapist. This means I blend elements from different approaches and I tailor this according to each of my client’s needs. This can include exploring how buried thoughts, feelings and experiences shape our current relationships.

I am passionate about working with parents as I know how challenging and under-supported parenting is! Perhaps you are struggling to manage your child's difficult behaviour and emotions? Or maybe you are feeling confused by times when your reaction to your child seems disproportionate and out of your control? Perhaps you would like to find more closeness and connection with your child and enjoy parenting more? Maybe you would like to explore the best ways to support your child with their emotions and behaviour in a way that builds their current and future mental health and resilience?

I have an MPsychpsych (6-year postgraduate training) and I am registered with the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP), for work with children and young people up to the age of 25, as well as parents, carers and professionals. I have 20 years of experience working with children and families, including clinical and leadership positions within the NHS and in many mainstream and specialist schools. Most recently, running a specialist CAMHS service within the NHS in West London and as a Visiting Lecturer on Postgraduate mental health courses at the Tavistock & Portman.

Are you struggling with parenting, family life and relationships, pregnancy or the impact of a traumatic birth or other experiences? I'm very familiar professionally and personally with the struggle to adapt to new roles and new demands, and the anxiety and overwhelm and constant doubt that often come with that, perhaps knowing that your mental health is declining but trying to keep going nevertheless. I provide an emotionally safe to help you to explore what is troubling you, safely process traumatic experiences if appropriate and support you to get a place where you feel you can move forward.

Life might feel quite unbearable right now. Work and family life may have spiralled out of control. You might be struggling to bond with your new baby, or your young child or teenager is in emotional pain. You may have lost a loved one due to a relationship breaking down or a bereavement. Perhaps your hopes and dreams have been shattered and you are wondering if there is a way out of this dark place. All of the above life events can cause us to feel many confusing emotions such as anxiety, depression or anger. You being here right now is an important step towards changing your situation for the better.

People seek therapy for different reasons, life issues, trauma due to mental or physical events, loss of a loved one, or a breakdown of a relationship. Choosing therapy can be a route to discover better ways of managing moments of anxiety or depression. As well as working with individuals, I am experienced at working with couples who are struggling to stay together or trying to part amicably. I also work with couples and individuals who experience issues on becoming parents (fertility/adoption) or with those who find it difficult to make the decision to parent because of their own past experiences.

Are you a parent who is worried about their teenager? Are you struggling to communicate with one another whilst finding it hard to understand each other? Does your young person suffer with anxiety or persistent low moods? Maybe they are struggling academically and/or refusing to go to school? Would you benefit from having an open and honest conversation with your young person in a safe and familiar environment? Young people want to be heard. They want to be respected and treated as adults.

Being a parent/caregiver can sometimes feel very challenging, especially if your child is experiencing difficulties. Are you left wondering whether you are getting it right? It may be that you want to strengthen your relationship with your child and think about how you communicate with each other. We may also think about how you are taking care of your own needs and how to self-regulate your emotions in a healthy manner. Perhaps you are concerned about your child’s mental health and are looking for a way to help your child feel like themselves again. No matter what you are both going through, things can get better.

When we are struggling with our painful feelings, we could feel ourselves confused and unable to move in life. Working together, we will explore your present situation in a confidential, secure and comfortable setting. You will reflect on your own thoughts, feelings and experiences and we will identify underlying issues and emotional patterns which have a bearing on your current difficulties. We will activate resources from inside you and find new strategies to effectively deal with your life events. Languages: Italian and English. I offer both online and face to face sessions. Location: Collier's Wood (SW19).