Anna Ford

I work privately on Mondays from 4.15 - 7pm, Tuesdays 2 - 7pm, Wednesdays 2 - 7pm. 

Please contact me for current availability. 

As a specialist child and adolescent therapist, I am committed to supporting young people facing life’s challenges, and I am acutely aware of the social and academic pressures young people face today. With over 10 years’ counselling experience I work with children and young people aged 7 to 21 years. I have provided counselling in primary and secondary schools across the state and private sector and continue to work in private secondary and prep schools alongside my private practice in London, W12 and online.  

I am an integrative therapist and tailor therapy to individual’s unique needs. Most importantly I bring warmth, curiosity and where appropriate playfulness, to my work. My approaches include:

• Psychodynamic: working with unconscious as well as conscious communication

• Person-centred: offering a warm and accepting presence and valuing the relationship with each person. I work with what each child or young person brings without judgement, at their own pace.

• Creative/ play: I make available different play and art materials to enable each child to express themselves freely in their own way.

• Systemic: understanding the child in the context of the family and wider systems (schools, communities and cultures).

• If appropriate I may provide specific coping strategies, CBT techniques or psychoeducation.

Previously, I worked in advertising for 12 years, then raised my three, now adult children. In 2007 I completed a foundation year in adult psychotherapy at CCPE, but was drawn to working with children, where I believe early intervention can be most effective. I qualified on the Â鶹ԭ´´ accredited ‘Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy with Children and Young People in Schools’ with Place2Be and the University of East London. 

After a complimentary 15-minute phone call, I conduct an assessment session with the parent to better understand your concerns. I will ask you to complete a questionnaire to gather relevant information.

I offer weekly 50-minute sessions. Sometimes short-term support of 8-10 sessions may be sufficient to address a specific issue, or longer-term support may be more appropriate. I offer termly reviews with a parent, (while respecting the confidentiality of each session with the child).

Parenting sessions: 

Parenting can be challenging as well as rewarding. I offer one-to-one parent sessions either alongside work with the child or as stand-alone support, providing a safe, judgment free, confidential space to explore  parenting and family dynamics.

Working ethically:

I am a member of the Â鶹ԭ´´ and follow the Â鶹ԭ´´ Ethical Framework. If from the assessment session I do not think I am the right person for you or your child I would, where relevant, signpost you to more appropriate support.

As a therapist I provide a confidential service, but if I believe that you or your child is being harmed in any way, I follow government safeguarding procedures.

I hold an Enhanced DBS, I am GDPR compliant and insured. 

If you or your child is under 18 the first session is with the parent. It is an opportunity for me to find out what brings you or your child to therapy and for you to meet me and ask any questions. I will ask you to complete a questionnaire as part of the session.

After this session, if you would like to proceed, we will arrange a time for me to meet your child for a second assessment session to ensure that your child is also willing to proceed. 

Assessment sessions are charged at the usual rate, and last 50 minutes.