Our multi disciplinary team of qualified therapists are highly skilled.
Our team is headed up by our clinical lead Fiona, yet we have an extensive team of psychodynamically qualified therapists. All our therapists are either qualified or actively working towards a masters level in BACP accredited qualifications for child and adolescent counselling as well as being members of the BACP.
All staff are DBS checked, insured and subject to strict clinical supervision as well as being in their own personal therapy.
Our philosophy at Teenage Mental Health is that the patient always comes first and is the center of any work.
Our team
Fiona
Fiona leads the team at Teenage Mental Health as our Clinical Director. She holds an Honours degree in Psychology and postgraduate qualifications in teaching, counselling, and psychodynamic approaches. Her Master’s degree is in Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Counselling, and she is currently completing a Professional Doctorate at the University of Essex, researching the impact of canines on child and adolescent psychotherapy.
Before founding Teenage Mental Health, Fiona gained extensive experience in both the private and public sectors, giving her a deep understanding of both fields. She also designed and runs our popular parental programme, providing personalised one-to-one support and solutions for parents. Passionate about ensuring that children receive timely and effective support, she is committed to empowering parents to better support their children.
Alongside her clinical work, Fiona has been deeply involved in mental health training, working with organisations to develop and deliver bespoke training programmes. These programmes equip staff with the skills to manage challenging behaviour and gain a deeper understanding of mental health issues.
As a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), Fiona firmly believes that the patient must always come first and remain at the heart of every therapeutic intervention.
Womble
Womble is a 2 year old white German Shepard who has been working at TMH since he was a young pup. He excels at welcoming all visitors in a friendly and welcoming manner without overwhelming them or making them feel uncomfortable. Womble has completed his basic, intermediate and advanced obedience training certificates and is now working one day a week on his agility.
Womble often works with Fiona, helping her out with her doctoral studies as well as in sessions, to make sure that her patients are always getting the best care possible. Womble is not a member of the BACP (they don’t allow dogs to join) however he has certificates for all his vaccinations and monthly worm/flea treatments, he also has an annual health check up to make sure he is always on top form. Womble particularly likes a tickle behind his ears so please feel free to pop in and visit him at the centre to give him a tickle and say hello.
Zoe H
Zoe has worked as a Psychodynamic counsellor for 15 years within a range of different organisations initially with adult clients. These have included Ipswich Counselling centre, Mentis counselling centre and Northgate Psychotherapy department based in Colchester. Her work has specialised in working with trauma, sexual abuse, and within a drug and rehabilitation centre.
Zoe's expertise in working with children and adolescents since 2013 has been enhanced by her work in primary and high schools in Norfolk and Suffolk and she worked as a school counsellor at a Norfolk School for 5 years where she gained a wealth of experience working with adolescents.
She has recently taken cognitive behavioural therapy training which she can incorporate into her work with her clients, and she holds a Diploma In Psychodynamic Counselling for adults and a Ma in Psychodynamic counselling children and adolescents. She is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. She also works in her own time as a reflexologist /holistic therapist and provides treatments form her own salon.
Denise
Denise has worked psychodynamically as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist with couples and individuals for over 30 years. She trained with Relate in Kent and also worked in a crisis drop-in centre in Chatham. She set up her own successful practice in Central London in 1993 which she currently runs part-time online with clients all over the world. Having owned and worked in businesses and in the not for profit sector for many years she has a wide experience of life and problems around relationship difficulties, coaching, grief, depression, self-esteem, and many other issues.
She trained and volunteered as a senior counsellor with ChildLine in London and is studying CBT. She was a Governor for 12 years of Coram Family, the biggest adoption service in the UK where she took an interest in the Contact Centre for Parents and young children.
Denise had a Pet as Therapy dog and worked with him in hospices and adolescent centres and she has written a book about pets and grief which is on Amazon.
Sarah
Sarah is a psychodynamic counsellor who’s worked for over seven years in both private and school settings. She is trained in CBT and has worked extensively with adolescent clients experiencing mental health difficulties such as poor attachment, self-harm, depression, suicidal ideation, low self-esteem, anxiety and eating disorders.
Sarah graduated from the University of Essex with Masters degrees in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychology, and previously earned a BA in Drama from St. Mary’s in Twickenham. Her psychology MA focused on social psychology, positive psychology, neuroscience, and theories of child development. Sarah is also a member of the BACP.
Anna
Anna has been working in child and adolescent mental health services for over 20 years. Having worked as a Residential Care Worker, a Behaviour Support Worker, a 1-on-1 Classroom Assistant and a Therapeutic Liasion Officer at a residential boarding school.
Anna graduated from Essex University with a Ba in Therapeutic Communications and Therapeutic Organisations. She then went on to achieve a Master's degree in Psychodynamic Counselling in 2015.
Anna has a wealth of experience thanks to her work as a Community Project Lead and Family Support Practitioner at various Ipswich children's centre. She then went on to work with 4YP, a local charity focusing around helping teenagers with mental health issues.
Anna has a lot of experience of working with anxiety, depression, attachment disorder, self-harm, eating disorders, social anxiety, trauma and abuse as well as being qualified for family therapy.
Ellie
Ellie graduated in 2021 from the University of Essex with a first-class honour degree in Ma in Psychodynamic Counselling with children and young people. She emphasizes the importance of continuing professional development and has recently qualified in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) training. CBT is a well-evidenced short-term intervention that can be easily incorporated into a psychodynamic approach with clients.
Ellie explains “In the short-term CBT can be used to address immediately presenting issues, such as anxiety, phobias or OCD.” She collaborates with clients to implement biological and behavioural interventions.
Ellie’s background is in education, and she has previously worked as a teacher in secondary schools and further/higher establishments, supporting both the learning and emotional needs of children and young people. Ellie has worked alongside clients with a range of difficulties; loss and bereavement, anxiety, low mood and depression, problems with emotional regulation, self-esteem, relationships, gender dysphoria, and trauma.
As a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), Ellie practices evidence-led therapy using a client-centred approach to establish a mutually trusting therapeutic alliance.
Kath
Kath has been working and volunteering with Teenage Mental Health since its early beginnings. Kath's background is in education support and therapeutic fostering for many years with a wealth of therapeutic knowledge and understanding.
Kath is currently training at the university of Essex furthering the knowledge with a degree in Psychodynamics. Kath is often the reassuring voice you will hear with initial telephone enquiries for services.
Rebecca
Rebecca holds a diploma in integrative counselling from Life-Force in Colchester. She currently works with adults in her private practice, as well as with a charitable organisation that provides counselling to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Rebecca previously worked for social services where she provided intervention and support for vulnerable adults and children in crisis. Her time working in this role helped develop her understanding of the challenges that people face in their early life, and how this causes many complex repercussions later on.
Rebecca has experience supporting people with a range of difficulties; from loss and bereavement, anxiety, low mood and depression, to problems with emotional regulation, self-esteem, relationships, sexuality, and trauma.
Rebecca’s special interests are trauma and abuse and the impact of reproductive trauma on individuals struggling with their fertility.
Phoebe
Phoebe holds a Ba degree in Therapeutic Communications and Therapeutic Organisations and an Ma in child and adolescent psychotherapy both from the University of Essex. She has over 10 years of experience working therapeutically as a mental health support worker, providing intensive 1:1 support for young people reintegrating into the community when leaving hospitals from section and managing challenging behaviours.
She also works as a 1:1 learning support assistant in a secondary school, supporting young people with mental, physical and learning difficulties. Phoebe has a wealth of experience working with learning difficulties, ASD and a vast range of physical disabilities and she is a member of the BACP
Martin
Originally qualifying with a Ba degree in Graphic Design, Martin retrained in 2011 to work as a psychodynamic counsellor with adults, adolescents and children. His background in art and design helps inform some aspects of his counselling work e.g. dream interpretation that often touches on symbolism/representation.
After successfully completing both a certificate and diploma in psychodynamic counselling at Chelmsford Counselling Foundation, Martin embarked on successive courses at the University of Essex where he completed a Graduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Approaches, an Ma in Psychoanalytic Studies and an Ma in Psychodynamic Counselling with children/adolescents.
Since graduating Martin has worked in both primary and secondary school settings with pupils and staff members as well as volunteering for Open Road as a counsellor supporting adults in recovery from substance abuse. In the past he worked for the charity 1NE in London/Essex schools supporting children impacted by substance abuse and addiction. He was also an Essex County Council foster carer for over 10 years.
Martin’s therapeutic approach is a combination of psychodynamic modality enhanced by play and art therapy. His work has often focused on children impacted by substance abuse/addiction and the trauma/dissociation and psychological turmoil associated with this. Working with attachment disorder and self-esteem issues form a significant part of this and other aspects of his work.
Laura
Laura graduated from the University of Essex with a Ba in Therapeutic Communication and Therapeutic Organisations and is just completing her Ma in Psychodynamic Counselling with Children and Adolescents.
Laura has 12 years experience of working as a T.A. in a primary school, gaining numerous qualifications and currently offers 1:1 therapeutic sessions to children in the school. During her time in the school she worked extensively with young children who have been fostered and adopted, dealt with parental suicide and others with low self esteem, behavioural issues and anxiety.
Laura has lived in various countries, has loads of life experience and enjoys working with young children. She is an Advanced Drawing and Talking Practitioner which she offers privately and to schools, as well as sand-play and therapeutic art sessions and is a member of the BACP
Philippa
Philippa is an Integrative Counsellor, working from a creative and compassionate, trauma-informed perspective. She has over 10 years experience working with children and adolescents, in various settings, including schools and charity outreach organisations.
Due to her Masters in Early Childhood Studies, from Roehampton University and her Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Children in Schools, from Place2Be, she has an in-depth knowledge of child/adolescent development, attachment and play.
She has experience working with an array of mental health difficulties including; developmental trauma, sexual violence, domestic violence, self-harm, suicidal ideation and intrusive thoughts, regulating relational dynamics, neurodivergence, and various mental health conditions including anxiety, bipolar, OCD and eating disorders.
Ultimately, Philippa will be present to listen and hold the therapeutic space for the child or young person, to empower their reflective process and help them develop a deeper understanding of their sense of self, utilising verbal and non-verbal methods of communication, creativity and/or play
Jim
Jim is a Play Therapist with the British Association of Play Therapists and has been working with children as young as 3, up until secondary school age since 2016.
Jim has worked with school, charities and County Councils, working with children with various presentations and experiences.
Jim has a background supporting children one-to-one in schools, and holds an MSc in Play Therapy from the University of South Wales.
Dylan
Before joining the Teenage Mental Health Team had been working within HR and Business Compliance Management roles bringing these skills to support the organisation.
Dylan is also a Registered Foster Carer with Suffolk Foster and Adoption services. Currently he is a student at Essex University He holds a BA in Therapeutic Communications and Therapeutic Organisations and is currently finishing his MA in child and adolescent psychotherapy, both from the university of Essex and he conducts patient assessments at Teenage Mental Health and liaises with families to support their therapeutic journey.
As the Director of Client Services, Dylan is keen to spread the word and build TMH services and reputation with others to support and connect services and users and attends networking and community events or groups and he is a member of the BACP. He is also a keen kite surfer and regularly takes part in chess-boxing in which he holds a pink belt and he regularly competes.
Charlie
Chief Administrator and Head Receptionist: Charlie
Charlie originally trained as a musician, earning a degree in Popular Music from University Centre Colchester. With a background in both performance and education, he has worked as a therapeutic music educator and toured as a professional musician.
Since joining Teenage Mental Health in September 2019, Charlie has become a vital part of the team, known for his warm welcomes, sharp organisational skills, and an uncanny ability to keep everything running smoothly. Whether he's greeting clients, managing files, or making sure the office stays in top shape, he brings the same dedication to his work as he does to his hobbies—knitting, Viking reenactment, and martial arts (yes, a well-rounded set of skills).
If you need a friendly face, an efficient admin, or someone to chat about historical combat techniques, Charlie’s your guy.
Contact us
For Mental Health Support in Ipswich & the surrounding areas please contact us using the details below or alternatively fill out the form and we'll ring you back to arrange an appointment.
Call: 01473 411324
Email:
reception@teenagementalhealth.co.uk
Postal Address:
Womble House, 31 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AQ
BACP Organisational Membership Number: 00276237