Kathryn is a clinical psychologist by training and really enjoys the variety that her role as clinic lead offers. From introducing new families to Beacon House; working therapeutically with children, young people, and their parents to being one of Beacon House’s safeguarding leads, supporting colleagues in their therapeutic work with families and working in consultation and supervision with therapists and social workers across the UK. Playing her part in the leadership and service development across both Beacon House clinics is something that Kathryn is also devoting time and energy to.
Kathryn has been trained in a number of different therapy models during and since qualifying. As a child and family practitioner specializing in work with children who are impacted by developmental trauma, her focus is often on relationships and attachments as a source of support and resilience for children, young people and families. There is very strong evidence to suggest that growing and/or strengthening healthy attachments can make a significant positive difference to children’s thoughts, feelings, behaviour and long term emotional and physical health. Therapy can be one important part of a ‘web’ of support for families which prioritises relationships and connections for children and young people.
Through experience in the work setting, and as a parent herself, Kathryn knows that children (and in fact all people) need to feel safe, understood and accepted to start to make changes when things are difficult. Her approach is to be curious about all parts of a child’s life and to appreciate their interests and passions alongside the things that they, or other people, are finding difficult.
Kathryn’s assessments and therapeutic work will always include listening to everyone in the child’s family and network to understand a child’s needs; a focus on relationships across home, school and communities as the milieu for change; thinking about mind, body and brain and an emphasis on restoring strength and stability in the context of what is already going well.
Kathryn’s specialist, post-qualifying experience includes dyadic developmental psychotherapy (DDP), solution focused therapy, sensory attachment interventions, assessing attachment in adults using the Attachment Style Interview (ASI) and eye movement desensitisation and re-processing (EMDR), an evidence-based psychotherapy for trauma. As part of her role as Ofsted Registered Manager for the Chichester Adoption Support Agency, Kathryn attained a Level 5 Diploma in Children’s Health and Social Care Leadership and Management.
Kathryn is registered with the Health Care Professions Council (membership number PYL22226).