Chandra Atkinson

Child and Parent Specialist Therapist

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

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

Client review:

‘’We honestly cannot thank you enough for the care, insight, and expert guidance you have given us over the past few weeks. When we first started this journey, we never could have imagined just how much things would change — not only for our children, but for our whole family. The difference in our home feels truly transformative.

Looking back, our only regret is not starting this process with you three years ago. You took the time to really get to know us and to understand each of our children so thoughtfully and deeply. Because of that, every piece of advice and every practical tip you shared felt completely tailored to us — and it worked. The changes happened so much more quickly than we expected.

One of the biggest shifts has been at bedtime. What used to feel challenging and draining has become calm, connected, and even joyful. We’re now enjoying the special one-to-one time with each of our children that we had always hoped for, and it has brought such a sense of closeness to our family.

We are so incredibly grateful for everything you have done for us. The impact you’ve had on our family life means more than we can say, and we would wholeheartedly recommend you to any family looking for support, understanding, and real, lasting change.’’