Services for families

Why see a psychologist?

Everyone needs a little help at times and just like we see a doctor for our physical health, we can seek help for emotional or mental health difficulties or just for a bit of help with parenting. A practitioner psychologist is a protected title, meaning that we have to demonstrate certain competencies. As an educational psychologist I come with post graduate level training, an understanding of child and adolescent development as well as knowledge about what can cause things to become difficult for children and young people. As a result of years of experience I have developed an evidence based toolkit so that I can draw on the right tools for each person's situation.

Your journey with me

I take self referrals as well as referrals from professionals (e.g. school SENDCO, GP).
In order to provide the right service for you and your child, I offer a complementary telephone call to discuss your hopes and needs.
If you want to proceed further we will arrange for me to spend time with you and then with your child so I can understand what the current concerns and difficulties are as well as your child's strengths and what is working well. We will then meet again to work together to understand how these difficulties came about and what is maintaining them. This will help us identify what the goals for change are, and agree the most effective way to help. If I don't think I'm the right practitioner to help then I can guide you to find someone who can. This is likely to take 2-3 sessions.
If we decide I can help, then there are a variety of evidence based approaches and methods I can use to support your child which we can do through talking, play, drawing, physical activities, including but not limited to:
- - - cognitive behavioural approaches
    - solution focused approaches
    - Video Interaction Guidance - a strength based approach to support you to help your child
    - EMDR - which can be used successfully to treat a range of difficulties, including trauma, phobias, anxiety
    - motivational interviewing
We will review progress made towards goals so that you and your child are involved in deciding how long we work together.
I can meet families in person at Hove Therapy Rooms or online on Zoom, according to your needs.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR can be used successfully to treat a range of conditions, including trauma, phobias, anxiety. I am a trained EMDR therapist and can offer sessions to people over the age of 10 years. Click here to watch a short animation about how EMDR can help children and young people. "EMDR sessions with Zubeida have been really helpful. Before I started them, I was very anxious and I was avoiding situations, which was affecting my life. However, with all the support and strategies I received from Zubeida, I have overcome my fear and I feel so much happier. Zubeida has been really understanding and comforting which made me feel at ease; she created a safe space for me to share my worries. Thanks to Zubeida, I can now do all the things I was avoiding, without feeling scared and I’m so grateful for all her help."

Video Interaction Guidance

A brief, evidence based approach for families aimed at helping parents support their child's emotional wellbeing and mental health needs, reduce conflict and manage challenging behaviour. "Thank you for all your support, your guidance has given us a way forward as a family & has bought love & laughter back to us all." mother of two teenagers

Mindful approaches

Mindfulness approaches can help children and young people in a range of ways, including improving their focus and attention, managing stress and managing difficult emotions in a safe way. I adapt the approach and activities to suit the developmental stage of the child.

Consultation and psychoeducation

Sometimes children and young people aren't ready to engage in therapeutic change. In this case, consultation to support parents/carers to manage the difficulty can be highly effective.

Love Parenting group: getting to know your baby

A safe and containing space to learn from evidence based practice and each other to manage the joys and challenges of getting to know your newborn. Sign up here to join waiting list for group

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