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Chandra Atkinson

Child and Parent Specialist Therapist

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I am a Child and Parent Specialist Therapist with 36 years of experience of working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the NHS in both clinical and managerial roles. Until 2023 I held senior posts in the NHS as a clinician and as a  manager to 5 Inner London CAMHS Teams, including Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. 

 

In my role as a clinician, I worked individually with children and young people and ran therapeutic groups for individuals and families. As a result, I developed specialist expertise in working with low mood, depression, low self-esteem, generalised anxiety, exam stress, social anxiety and self-harm. 

 

I also worked with parents and families in different settings such as CAMHS, an ADHD assessment service and an Infant Mental Health service. Here, I developed specialist expertise in supporting parents of children of all ages, and in the context of ADHD and post-natal depression.

 

I use an integrative approach to therapy as I have trained in a number of therapies.  

My approach is to first listen attentively and think about your goals for treatment so we together can agree a way forward and tailor the therapy to your needs.  I would also offer guidance and strategies you can implement should this be needed. I believe that a collaborative, safe, supportive, empathic, and non-judgemental space is key for clients to work through issues with ease. 

 

My training to work with children, adolescents and families using evidence-based techniques includes:

 

  • Registered Mental Health Nurse, Carshalton and Croydon College of Nursing,  1993  

  • Diploma in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Maudsley Hospital, 1995

  • Parent/Child Game, CAMHS Kent, Sue Jenner, 1997 

  • Master of Arts in Infant Observation and Psychoanalytic Studies, Tavistock Centre and University of East London, 2004 

  • Baby Massage, Peter Walker, 2005

  • Teenagers Becoming Parents, Anna Freud Centre, 2008 

  • Multi Family Therapy, Marlborough Family Service, CNWL NHS Trust 2011 

  • Diploma in Family Therapy, Institute of Family Therapy, 2012 

  • Incredible Years Parenting Training, Reading University 2013 

  • IAPT Supervisor Parenting Strand, Reading University, 2013 

  • Mindfulness Course, Recovery College CNWL 2014

  • IAPT Management Course, Anna Freud Centre, 2019

  • 3DI / ADOS Training, CNWL NHS Trust, 2021 

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Publications

 

Atkinson, C. 20 Basic ideas to help you bring up your children. Spain: Desclee de Brouwer. Parenting book (In Spanish) 

 

I am bilingual in English and Spanish 

 

I have Professional Indemnity Insurance Cover and Enhanced DBS Clearance

 

Availability: Thursdays including evening sessions. 

Charges: £85

Contact: enquiries@surreytherapypractice.com

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