meet the therapist

My name is Amanda Budden (MBACP, Dip. Psyche) and my background includes a special interest in Attachment Parenting and the effect of early years experiences on mental health and development, together with many years of being involved with working with children and young people in a variety of settings. I'm also a mentor for 'Living with Reflux UK' - a charity to help parents, babies and children who are struggling with GERD and a volunteer counsellor for a children's charity. Much of my work to-date has been with children diagnosed with Austism, Sensory Processing Disorder, behavioral difficulties, school refusal, trauma and ADHD/ADD, as well as helping students with exam stress, anxiety, depression and gender issues. I am absolutely passionate about promoting good mental health in children and young people.

Another area of interest is Positive Parenting and many of my own strategies are based on the work of renowned parenting 'guru' Noel Janis-Norton. This means I can almost always find a helpful way to deal with common family issues, such as communication, sibling rivalry, chores and homework.

Qualifications include a Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counselling (including person-centred, psychodynamic and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) a Diploma in Child Psychology, and Certificates in Play Therapy, Children’s Counselling, Anti-Bullying, Understanding Autism and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

In addition, I am proud to be a certified UK Autplay Provider - enabling me to work effectively with children with autism and other neurological disorders. However, given the incredible progress of research in child psychology and neuroscience, I also have a continued commitment to training and keeping up-to-date with the latest findings in child mental health.

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and work in accordance with their Ethical Framework (a commitment to clients to work to professional standards and build ethical relationships). A mandatory part of this framework is that all therapists are supervised by a Senior Accredited Psychotherapist , which means (that while a client's personal details are never revealed) I have regular access to another opinion if needed and someone to ensure I'm on 'the right track'.

My personal ethos is to treat everyone without judgement and with kindness and respect - regardless of whether they are 1 or 100.

On a more personal level I am a wife, mum to a 6 year old and am potty about animals, model farming and Star Wars.

testimonials

'Thank you so much for all you've done for me in helping me get through my exams. I was convinced I was going to fail' (From an 18 year old student with ADHD)

'I really was starting to give up hope of improving school attendance - thank you so much ' (From the Mum of a 9 year old with ASD)

'So much happier and better able to communicate feelings to us - thank you' (From the carer of a 7 year old with behavioural issues)

'Your work is amazing - I can really see an improvement in my child's behaviour. (From the mum of a 6 year old with ASD/SPD/PDA)