Meet Philippa

Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Lead

Philippa is an integrative counsellor who works with children, teenagers and young adults from a creative, compassionate and trauma-informed perspective.

She adapts her approach to the individual, recognising that young people communicate and make sense of difficult experiences in different ways.

Experience

Philippa has more than 15 years’ experience working with children and teenagers across a range of settings, including schools and charity outreach organisations.

She holds a Masters in Early Childhood Studies from the University of Roehampton and a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Children in Schools from Place2Be, giving her a strong understanding of child development, attachment and the ways children communicate through play.

Philippa also has specialist training and experience in the sexual violence survivors sector, supporting people affected by sexual violence and the complex emotional and behavioural responses that can follow.

Throughout her work, she has supported young people experiencing a broad range of difficulties, including trauma, domestic abuse, sexual violence, self-harm, intrusive thoughts, suicidal thoughts, OCD, eating disorders, body dysmorphia and questions around gender and identity, as well as BPD, DID, bipolar, FND, depersonalisation-derealisation and paranoia.

She also has significant experience with neurodivergent young people, including those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and FASD.

Philipa works integratively, drawing on different approaches depending on the needs of the young person. This might include talking, creative work, play and other non-verbal ways of exploring thoughts and feelings.

In 2024, she completed additional Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) training and continues her professional development, including specialist training in neurodiversity-affirming approaches.

Qualifications and training

Masters in Early Childhood Studies – University of Roehampton
Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Children in Schools – Place2Be
Level 3 Qualification in Professional Working in the Sexual Violence (Survivors) Sector – Open College Network West Midlands
Additional training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Ongoing specialist CPD in neurodiversity-affirming practice
Trauma-informed therapeutic training and experience

Philippa’s approach

Philippa believes therapy should centre on the individual young person and their experiences. She understands that children and teenagers may arrive feeling misunderstood, unheard or overwhelmed, particularly when they’ve been struggling for long periods.

Compassionate, patient and responsive, she gives young people time to build trust, find ways to communicate and explore what’s happening at their own pace.