Kate Gillhespy

Specialisms: Children and teenagers

• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Parental separation
• Social or behavioural difficulties
• Developmental trauma (for example, a history of neglect or abuse
• Attachment difficulties

Therapeutic Approach: Psychodynamic and psychotherapeutic using stories, art and play, as well as talking.

About:
I have worked as a therapist for over ten years in schools, for charities and in private practice. I aim to create a gentle, creative and nurturing environment where children feel safe to express, share and reflect on things that are worrying or troubling them.

The sessions are planned to offer material to reflect relevant themes, but are led by the child. A child will naturally communicate something of their-inner world' through play, drama and drawings and this can help them externalize, explore and eventually integrate difficult experiences.

Creative therapy can be a-way in' for children and teenagers to access feelings and experiences which can feel safer and less direct than relying only on words. However, for older children and teenagers, they may prefer to use the time to talk.

Some outcomes may be; behavioural change (less outbursts of anger or crying), better emotional regulation (fewer reports of feeling sad or anxious), increased ability to identify and talk about their emotions, better sleep and better integration with peers.

I am in regular feedback with parents and carers to share the progress of the work and offer recommendations, where relevant, to support their child. Sessions run weekly during term time and range from 6-8 sessions to ongoing longer term work.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions at all.