Helene Ross
About:
It’s not always easy to understand what is going on for a child on the inside. You may have been worried about their emotional wellbeing or development for some time. Perhaps the situation feels stuck and you’re unsure how to help. Children often don’t yet have the words to explain their inner experiences, and their behaviour, relationships, or powerful feelings can become confusing, concerning or overwhelming for them and for the adults supporting them.
My name is Helene and I am a qualified and experienced Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist and member of the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP). I offer individual child and adolescent psychotherapy, therapeutic parent/ carer support and consultation to professionals.
ACP registered Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists undergo rigorous training and are qualified to work with infants, children and young people age 0-25 years. They are core professionals within multi-disciplinary NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams and are trained to work with moderate to severe mental health difficulties. With their experience and knowledge, they can also support with milder concerns. Children may benefit from child psychotherapy for many reasons. This can include (but not limited to):
- There may be an ongoing impact from bereavement, family breakdown, chronic illness, trauma, neglect or abuse
- Difficulties with relationships or social interactions
- Lack of motivation and low mood
- Emotional disturbance
- Irrational fears and worries
- Obsessive and compulsive behaviours
- Anxiety (often expressed in behaviour such as bed-wetting, sleep difficulties, soiling, refusal to eat or drink, refusal to go to school)
- Risk-taking, self-harming behaviour and suicidal thoughts
- Developmental problems
- They may have become withdrawn and detached
- Post adoption support
During adolescence, psychotherapy can provide a confidential space to explore family relationships, identity, emotional difficulties, and the transition towards greater independence.
I have over 20 years’ experience supporting children and young people and their families. My early work in residential, community, and social work settings shaped my understanding of the many ways children communicate their inner world and the interplay between children’s relationships, environments and experiences have on their emotional wellbeing.
In 2013 I completed a two-year postgraduate Diploma in Therapeutic Work with Children and Young People, followed by a four-year full-time clinical training and Professional Master’s in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, qualifying in 2017.
For the past 13 years, I have worked within NHS CAMHS services with infants, children, young people, their caregivers, and professional networks.
Alongside my private practice at One Allan Park, I continue to work as a Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist within a specialist NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) for care-experienced children and young people.
I am available by appointment for face-to-face sessions within One Allan Park.
Professional interest:
I have a particular interest and extensive experience in supporting children who have lived through loss, trauma, abuse, or other overwhelming experiences. I have delivered observational training to social work staff on supervising contact between care experienced children and their parents and on infant mental health to education, social work and health colleagues. I have presented at the national UK ACP Conference on the emotional wellbeing of care experienced children and young people.
My approach
My way of working is thoughtful and shaped around the uniqueness of each child and family. I aim to create a space where you and your child can feel understood, held, and supported. Individual sessions are adapted to the child and their developmental stage and need and can involve talking, play and creative expression.
I offer a free initial telephone conversation to discuss your requirements and answer any questions you may have about the process.
The next step, if appropriate would be in the form of an initial assessment consultation. This meeting is without the child present and allows us to explore your concerns together and gather a picture of your child’s early experiences and development. Sometimes one conversation is enough; at other times, parent/carer support may be helpful and can be arranged.
When appropriate, I may offer an individual psychotherapy assessment for the child or adolescent, usually over three individual sessions. This gives the child a gentle experience of what therapy might feel like and whether child psychotherapy could support them. If psychotherapy is recommended and everyone agrees that it would be helpful, sessions usually take place on a weekly basis, but are dependent on the need of the child.
I am committed to working ethically and respectfully. I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office and follow data protection laws to ensure your information is held safely and confidentially.
To get in touch, please email info@oneallanpark.co.uk