Associate Work at Purple House

My Career So Far

I have worked at The Purple House Clinic, Leicester, since 2021 as a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist Associate. I initially qualified as an Occupational Therapist, working in acute psychiatric wards. Through later work in CAMHS, I became interested in the psychodynamic framework. I completed my pre-clinical Masters qualification in Psychoanalytic Observational Studies and later my Doctorate in Child Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at theTavistock Clinic. My specialist Doctorate research focussed on  Adolescent bereavement. Throughout my lengthy  NHS career, I worked for many years in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy teams, later becoming the Professional Lead for Child Psychotherapy across the Leicestershire Partnership Trust (LPT). I continue to offer supervision to CAMHS staff and run reflective practice groups in the Trust. 

The Role of a Psychotherapist

Psychotherapists work beyond the presenting symptoms, focussing on deeper issues below the surface and the primary focus is the relationship between the therapist and patient. The therapeutic relationship is paramount in the work as it provides a template for how the client might relate to other people. 

Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy training is focussed on the development of children, adolescents and young people up to the age of 25 years..This in depth, relationship focussed  training has meant that I can work with complex difficulties and really appreciate the importance and value of the work being undertaken as it impacts so profoundly across young people’s lives.

My Work at The Purple House Clinic, Leicester

I offer clinical sessions with children, teenagers, young adults , and their families and networks. My clients at Purple House present with various issues, for example, low confidence, tantrums, underachievement at school, anxiety and depression, self-harm, bereavement, attachment issues, and experience of abuse, neglect, and trauma.

I work predominantly using a psychoanalytical framework, but I am also informed by attachment theory, neuroscience and family approaches. Each child is unique and each presentation manifests differently, often requiring different approaches. Though the main focus of sessions is the child or young person, psychotherapists also work systemically with family members, guardians, foster carers and adoptive parents, holistically supporting the child. 

This year I am also facilitating a new reflective group for Purple House Clinic Leicester Associates who are working with children through the Adoption Support Fund (ASF). The aim of this group is to support clinicians in the complex work they are undertaking. By having a safe space for reflection, clinicians can become more in touch with their own emotional responses and continue to provide an excellent service to vulnerable children.

What does a typical psychotherapist session ‘look like’ at The Purple House Clinic?

The length of psychotherapy treatment differs according to the child or young person and their particular age and needs. Some difficulties might begin to resolve in 6 sessions  but for others (such as those young people who have experienced severe trauma) more sessions may be required. I aim to work at the child’s pace and might provide  tactile materials like clay and art materials for younger children to facilitate communication- I am guided by the child or young person.

With weekly hourly appointments, I always use the same room and keep a consistent appointment time each week, helping the child or young person feel safe and secure. The warm and inviting environment at Purple House can also help children or young people feel reassured and comfortable. This feeling of safety and trust is an essential underpinning of psychotherapeutic sessions.

The Impact of my Work at The Purple House Clinic

Parents of the children I have worked with at Purple House have often reported changes following therapy, perhaps showing calmer and more positive behaviour. The children, adolescents or young people themselves have reported feeling less alone, better understood and sometimes being clearer about who they are. I have observed an increased ability in young people’s capacity to  recognise which emotions ‘belong to them’ and which might ‘belong to others.’ There can also be changes in the young person’s ability to regulate their emotions, in turn, previous bodily symptoms such as headaches or tummy aches may dissipate in synchronicity with changes in emotional regulation.

The Benefits of Working as an Associate

I enjoy the variety of client caseload and flexibility in work pattern which I have through being an Associate at The Purple House Clinic, Leicester. I also appreciate working alongside other highly skilled professionals at the clinic -having conversations, supporting each other and not feeling alone whilst working in private practice. Having a highly skilled supportive administrative team means I can wholly focus on the client  . Purple House provides lots of helpful resources to their Associates, including clear policies, procedures and guidance, which again allows for an uncluttered space in my mind to concentrate fully on my clinical work.