Graham Kennedy
Integrative Child Psychotherapist for children, adolescents and families.
Availability: Monday afternoon & evening & Friday evening
Fees: Please enquire.
Qualifications:
• MA Integrative Child Psychotherapy
• Advanced Diploma in the Therapeutic and Educational application of the Arts
• DDP Level One
• Safeguarding children training
• Enhanced DBS certificate
Specialising in:
• Working with the impact of developmental trauma and disrupted attachment
• Working with adoptive and foster families
Experience:
I am an Integrative Child Psychotherapist, trained at the Institute for Therapy and Education in London. I have over 20 years experience working as a therapist, and specialise in working with the impact of complex developmental trauma and disrupted attachments.
I have a particular interest in working with adopted and fostered children and their families. I have worked as a parent consultant and trainer for both Adoption UK and PAC-UK for 7 years, providing support to adoptive families in crisis and running training on therapeutic parenting for adoptive parents.
I currently work as a psychotherapist in schools, local charitable organisations and private practice at Mind Garden Therapy, Reading.
What do I offer?
I offer both short and long-term psychotherapy sessions for children, adolescents and their families. For some children and young people a systemic approach in which the whole family is involved in the therapeutic process can be especially beneficial. Whilst I specialise in working with developmental trauma and disrupted attachment, I also work with many other issues, including self-harm, bullying, self-esteem issues, losses and bereavements, separations, depression, school and relationship issues.
Approach and orientation:
My approach is based on the fact that each individual child, young person and family is different and needs to worked with in a slightly different way. As a result, I have an integrative approach to treatment, drawing on a number of different methodologies to to suit the individual needs. For many children, a talking-only approach does not tend to work. In these cases it is often more helpful to have a more creative approach utilising games, play and different arts media, such as sandtrays, art and puppets.
Philosophy on Counselling and Psychotherapy:
Psychotherapy offers children and adolescents a unique opportunity to undertake an exploration of different aspects of their life and life experience in a safe and contained space. The treatment process is completely supportive of the child, and of the family as a whole, and enables them to move back into a more functional relationship with themselves and with each other.
