About me

Welcome, I’m Freena, and I have over 10 years experience working with children and families.

I’m a Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology (CAAP) and have been providing specialist services to support children, young people (up to age 21) and their families.

I completed my MSc in Applied Psychology for Children and Young People, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) at the University of Edinburgh in 2015.

I have been working primarily in NHS Specialist CAMHS carrying out clinical assessments and treatments interventions to children, adolescents and families as well as offering mental health training, consultation and supervision to Social Care, Early Help and Education staff.

I currently work as Programme Director for a post-graduate programme which trains clinicians and their supervisors to work in child mental health services, at one of the UK’s top universities. This is alongside offering psychological services in private practice.

My Approach

When working therapeutically, it’s important for me to understand your unique experiences and difficulties. This ensures that your treatment is tailored to your specific needs. Typically, my approach is short-term, offering six to eight sessions in the first instance, then we would review where you are in relation to your goals.

I use a variety of different treatments such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused therapy, Attachment-Based interventions and Parenting interventions, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Systemic Approaches. I will always consider the latest evidence in approaches relating to the presentation being treated.

This has involved working with a wide range of emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties. I use evidence-based treatments and interventions to support the best possible outcomes for individuals in order to help them to meet their goals.

I’m also qualified as an Executive Function Coach, which supports the development and strengthening of Executive Function Skills for neuro-diverse children, adolescents and adults. Coaching focuses on supporting individuals to improve executive function skills such as task initiation, planning, prioritising, time management, organisation, emotional regulation and metacognition.

Who I work with?

Although I specialise in children and young people, I do also work with adults.

Some of the presentations I work with are the following:

  • Anxiety, Panic, Phobias, OCD, Stress and Worry
  • Attachment and Separation Anxiety
  • Depression and Low Mood
  • Difficulties regulating feelings such as anger
  • Challenging Behaviour
  • Autism/ Social Communication Difficulties
  • ADHD
  • Sleep Difficulties
  • Exam Stress
  • Toileting Difficulties
  • Understanding Healthy Relationships
  • Low Self-Esteem and Confidence
  • Bullying and Academic Difficulties
  • Procrastination
  • Life Transitions
  • Professional/ Career Issues
  • Grief, Loss, or Bereavement
  • Other Issues/ difficulties

Contact me directly for an initial free 20 min consultation to see if and how I can help you.

I offer both the option of face-to-face appointments, or remote/ online if preferred. For face-to-face appointments, I am based at Bedford Consulting Rooms, near Bedford town centre.

Fees are as follows:

Assessment/ Consultation (50 minutes) – £130 per session
Therapy/ Coaching session (50 minutes) – £130 per session

Qualifications & Practice Details

Member: Graduate Member of British Psychological Society (GMBPsS), Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), Clinical Supervision provided by a HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist (CAAPs are not currently registered by HCPC), Freena holds public liability and professional indemnity insurance.

Training:

Qualifications:

  • MSc in Applied Psychology for Children and Young People (BPS Accredited) – University of Edinburgh
  • PG-Diploma in Psychology – University of Nottingham
  • PG-Certificate in Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (CYP IAPT) Management and Leadership – University College London (UCL)
  • BA (Hons) in English & Psychology – Birmingham City University
  • Certified Conscious Uncoupling™ Coach (currently in training)

 

Further Training:

  • Inclusive Recruitment Training - Anna Freud Centre - 2022
  • Cultural Competence - Nafsiyat Intercultural Therapy Centre’s CPD - 2022
  • Interculturality within the Supervisory Relationship - Nafsiyat Intercultural Therapy Centre’s CPD - 2021
  • Effective People Management - Leadership - Juno Learning & Development - Anna Freud Centre - 2021
  • CBT Strategies for working with Emotional Regulation and Self-Harm – Anna Freud Centre – 2020
  • Guided Parent-led CBT for Child Anxiety (Train the Trainer) - Cathy Creswell - 2020
  • Increasing Access of the CWP service to BAME communities - 2020
  • Executive Function Skills Coaching Level 2: Competent Executive Function Coach Status with Grade 1 Outstanding – Connections In Mind Foundation - 2020
  • ITSIEY Specialist: Reflective Supervision in Infant Mental Health (0-24 months): Holding the supervisee, child and family in mind (3 day) – Anna Freud Centre - 2019
  • Executive Function Skills Coaching Level 1: Core Skills Accreditation – Connections In Mind Foundation - 2018
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Essentials (3 day) ELFT NHS – 2017
  • DBT Skills Development Group (3 day) ELFT NHS – 2017
  • Wellbeing Ambassador Programme for Schools (Worth-It) – Train the Trainer - 2017
  • Enhanced Clinical Supervision Training (4 day) – Anna Freud Centre - 2017
  • Adapting CBT for Children/ Adolescents with ASD: Training for Practitioners Experienced in CBT - NHS Education for Scotland (NES) - 2016
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Children & Young People - Theory & Practice - University of Edinburgh – 2014
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - University of Edinburgh – 2014
  • The Incredible Years® Parenting Programme - Webster-Stratton – 2014
  • Dina Dinosaur School The Incredible Years® Child Training Programme - Webster-Stratton - 2014
  • Triple P® Parenting Programme - 2014
  • Mellow Parenting - Parenting and Relationship Programme - Mellow Parenting - 2014
  • Making Sense of Children's Behaviour - Training for Foster Carers/ Adoptees - NHS South Staffordshire & Shropshire - LAC CAMHS 2013

Prescribe Medication: No

Practical Details

Languages
English
Types of Clients
Children
Young People
Adults
Families
Session Types
In Person
Online
Specialities

Individual Therapy - I provide assessments and therapy for children and young people (and adults) with a wide range of mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression, as well as neurodevelopmental conditions. I use a variety of different evidence-based psychological approaches to help individuals reach their goals.

 

Parenting Interventions - We know that parenting is one of the most difficult jobs you'll ever do. Parenting interventions are designed to give parents and carers the tools and strategies to help support their child. This could involve children with behavioural difficulties, or understanding how to help manage their child's mental health difficulties. It can also support parents of neurodivergent children, such as Autism or ADHD.

 

Executive Function Coaching - Executive Functions are cognitive processes that help us plan and organise our responses, behaviours and emotions. These include Task Initiation, Sustained Attention, Time Management, Planning and Prioritisation to name a few. Executive Functions can be particularly challenging for those with Autism and ADHD. I offer tailored coaching programmes to develop these skills.

 

Conscious Uncoupling™ Coaching - This programme is for adults. Perhaps you are a parent or carer going through a separation or divorce and are wanting to support not only yourself, but any children involved, and navigate this difficult time in the healthiest of ways.

 

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