Tel: 07375666725
Mental Health
specialists for
children and adolescents
Supporting
young people
and families together
What we do
Our therapeutic approach is tailored to meet the unique needs of children and adolescents.
We are committed to using evidence-based treatment to provide holistic support, offering a safe space for children, adolescents and their families to develop the skills they need to manage their mental health.
We can offer sessions at home, virtually or face to face in clinic.
For Young People and Families
Our areas of expertise and training include:
Autism Assessment and Diagnosis:
Parent Support
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Family Work
Mentalisation
Group Work
Network liasion
Our team is trained in the ADOS, enabling us to effectively identify and diagnose neurodevelopmental challenges that often intersect with mental health conditions in young people.
A space for working alongside parents and caregivers to help understand, manage and support their child's mental health needs. This can include providing education about mental health conditions, offering emotional support, teaching strategies for managing challenging behaviours and guiding parents through treatment and processes. The aim is to empower parents, strengthen family relationships and promote better outcomes for the young person.
A talking therapy for young people facing emotional dysregulation, self-harm, or other challenging behaviors, DBT focuses on mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance. This approach is especially effective in helping adolescents build resilience and manage distress.
This therapy focuses on the impact of relationships and relational dynamics on mental health. Aligned with attachment theory, IPT-A helps adolescents understand how relationship patterns and attachment issues affect their emotional well-being.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a treatment designed to help process and heal from traumatic experiences and disturbing memories. EMDR has gained recognition as an effective treatment for trauma, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and is increasingly used with young people.
A therapeutic approach that involves working with the whole family, rather than just the child or young person who is experiencing mental health difficulties. The aim is to improve family relationships as these relationships have a significant impact on health and recovery.
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a comprehensive, evidence-based approach used to promote understanding behavior with the goal of improving the quality of life for children and Adolescents, their families/carers. The goal of PBS is to reduce behaviours that challenge (such as aggression, self-injury, or disruptive actions) by focusing on understanding the function and form of the behaviour which in turn will lead to addressing the unmet needs of the person presenting with behaviour that challenges.
Mentalisation is the psychological process of understanding and interpreting one's own and others' thoughts, feelings, intentions, and perspectives. It involves recognising that people's behaviours are often driven by internal mental states (such as desires, beliefs, and emotions), and being able to reflect on these mental states in oneself and others.
Group work for children and adolescents refers to structured, facilitated activities or therapeutic sessions where young people come together to work on specific goals, develop skills, and support each other in a group setting. It can take many forms.
Sometimes the systems around children such as school, social care and health can be challenging to navigate. Having a dedicated clinician who can liaise with these professionals and advocate for families and children can be crucial in ensuring that the child/adolescent receives holistic and coordinated care.
For Professionals
We offer the following services to professionals:-
Clinical Supervision
Clinical supervision is aimed to support clinicans to improve their clinical skills, reinforce reflective practice, ensure ethical practice, and promote professional development. The key element is aimed at ensuring quality care for clients while fostering the growth of the supervisee.
Education and EHCP (Education Health and Care Plan) Consultation
Education and EHCP (Education, Health, and Care Plan) consultation refers to the process of involving relevant professionals, parents, caregivers, and the young person in discussions and decision-making regarding the support and services needed for a child or young person with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This consultation process ensures that the EHCP is tailored to meet the individual's unique needs.
Staff Support
This service offers a confidential and supportive space for staff to feel psychologically contained and emotionally supported. It is designed to promote well-being, enhance professional resilience, and encourage reflective practice in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
Whether navigating workplace challenges, processing emotionally demanding experiences or exploring personal responses to professional situations, staff are given the opportunity to pause, reflect, and feel heard.
Who we help
Our therapists provide specialist support to children and young people under the age of 18 who are dealing with a wide range of mental health challenges. We also provide support for all members of the family. Following are some examples of why people make contact with our service. This list is not exhaustive, please call for a free telephone consult to discuss further.
Anxiety
School Attendance Difficulties
Self-Harm
Depression
Neurodevelopmental Queries and Challenges
Trauma-Related Concerns
Social Stressors
Eating Difficulties
About us
We are a team of mental health therapists based in North London. We have extensive experience of working with children under 18 years of age and their families. We work with young people who are struggling with emotional, psychological and family difficulties. We understand that working with children and families requires empathy, patience, and an environment of trust to foster healing and change. Due to this we are very flexible in how we deliver care and support. We can offer home visits, virtual sessions or face to face clinic sessions.
Our comprehensive experience spans both inpatient and outpatient settings within the NHS, giving us a deep understanding of the diverse levels of mental health care, support in sourcing appropriate services and interventions for children and young people.
Nikki Alterman
I am a dedicated Mental Health Nurse with over 15 years of experience, specialising in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services within the NHS. Throughout my career, I have supported young people in both outpatient settings and as a Matron in inpatient adolescent units, gaining invaluable insights into the unique needs and challenges of this age group. My experience has equipped me with a range of therapeutic skills to connect with young people and guide them holistically toward mental well-being.
My work is grounded in kindness, compassion, and a commitment to building trust. I believe that each young person deserves a safe, non-judgmental space where they can explore and manage their mental health. By fostering an environment of empathy and support, I aim to empower young people, helping them gain confidence and resilience as they navigate life’s challenges.
Young people inspire me daily, reminding me of the importance of adolescence as a critical period for growth. I am committed to providing a positive mental health experience, where self-awareness, resilience, and well-being are prioritised. My goal is to help each young person feel empowered, happy, and healthy in their own journey.
I believe strongly that “behavior influences behavior.” By modeling positive, supportive, and compassionate actions, I create an environment where young people feel valued and understood. I also believe that “it takes a village” to support each child, and I work collaboratively with families to foster a cohesive, supportive community, helping young people reach their full potential
Leah St Phillip
I am an experienced mental health nurse with over 20 years of dedicated NHS service. I worked in NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for 19 years which I loved.
Throughout my career, I have developed a deep understanding of the complexities of young people’s mental health. I have extensive expertise in assessment, intervention and multi agency working. I have worked across a range of settings, from crisis, inpatient care to community-based care.
I am passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based treatment which is coproduced with young people and the people around them that are important to them. I am trained in a variety of modalities of therapy and I work with young people in their context, whatever that may be. I am committed to helping children and families/carers navigate mental health challenges with empathy and professionalism, with a focus on recovery and a way forwards together.
My extensive experience makes me a trusted mind in my field, I am an experienced clinical supervisor and am committed to guiding and empowering practitioners to deliver the best possible support to those in their care.