Meet Alice Child

Maybe you’re feeling unhappy, unable to cope, overwhelmed, or alone. You might be feeling stuck or misunderstood in your relationships. Maybe you have experienced something painful in the past or more recently which is affecting you. Or perhaps you want to examine where you are in life, how you got there, and where you’d like to be instead.

However you’re feeling, and whatever has happened to you, if you’re looking for therapy, you’re ready to make a change.

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How I can help you

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I am experienced in supporting clients to:

• Process and integrate traumatic and difficult experiences (whether recent or non-recent)

• Build resilience and self-esteem to better manage depression, anxiety, and panic

• Develop deep personal understanding to reduce cycles of repeated distressing or unhelpful behaviours

• Clarify feelings about ADHD and autism diagnoses to navigate the world with greater confidence

• Explore gender or sexual identities to be more comfortable in themselves and in relationships

• Understand patterns of relating to improve relationships, both with themselves and others.

• Process feelings of burnout and vicarious trauma arising from challenging working environments
   

I have a particular interest in sexual abuse, victimisation, family estrangement, and previous experiences of harmful therapy, as well as supporting clients working in the legal, academic and criminal justice sectors.

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Regardless of what you bring to therapy, I can help by:

• Listening with curiosity, patience, compassion and no judgement

• Taking you, and your difficulties, seriously

• Offering an affirming, supportive space where you can bring all of yourself, however you identify

• Building a relationship with you where we can explore and process your experiences and feelings, at your pace

• Carefully and sensitively developing your knowledge and understanding of your inner world, including patterns you may be repeating which aren’t helping you.
   

Together, these elements can increase your sense of well-being and equip you better for the future so you can move forward with more confidence and self-awareness.
 

Previous clients have commented on my warmth, patience and empathy, as well as my ability to create a space where they felt safe enough to entrust me with their stories, allowing them to make sense of their experiences, resulting in them feeling stronger, happier and more confident.
 

My approach to therapy
 

I’m kind, empathic, and compassionate - and importantly, curious about what makes you, you.
 

I’m patient - we’ll go at your pace and I’ll respect your right to decide what to talk about and when.
 

I’ll be supportive throughout your counselling journey - I know it’s not always easy to explore the things which have led you to where you are today, so I’ll be alongside you as we travel through your experiences.
 

I’ll be honest and real with you, and you may find that I offer ideas which others in your life haven’t before. Coming to therapy is not like talking to friends, family, or colleagues; I won’t give you advice or tell you what to do, and I won’t be judgemental. Instead, I will provide a different perspective which can untangle and reframe your feelings and experiences.
 

As a psychotherapist trained in the psychodynamic model, I’m interested in your early experiences and their impact on you now. Childhood experiences often create coping mechanisms which you may be unaware of, which shape the way you move through the world. Increasing awareness of these patterns in therapy can help you make changes about how you think, feel, behave and relate, allowing you to fundamentally redefine your relationship with yourself and with others. This insight can also empower you to experience life differently, behaving in new ways and freed from the difficult and painful situation you may be in or which has affected you from your past.
 

Where and How I work
 

I offer in-person sessions at our Churchill Square offices in West Malling and at the Practice Rooms in Tunbridge Wells. I also offer online sessions for clients across the UK. My individual session fees are £60 for each 50 minute session.

Consistency helps change happen, so I generally see clients weekly, on the same day, at the same time. If this doesn’t work for you (because you work shifts, for example) please contact me to discuss how we can work together. Generally I work in an open-ended way, though if you are interested in focusing on a particular issue, or don’t have the time or finances for open-ended therapy, please contact me so we can talk about how I can help you.
 

Regardless of what we discuss, how we meet, and for how long, I will hold your story with the greatest care, providing a confidential, private, and caring space, in which I hope you are able to feel safe.
 

Is therapy with me right for you?
 

I know that choosing a therapist to trust with your deepest feelings is an act of faith and courage, and with a huge number of therapists available, it can feel hard to know how to choose. Trust your instincts - and if you feel like I could be a good fit for you, please get in touch.

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For your peace of mind, it’s important for you to know that:

• I hold a Postgraduate Diploma (Distinction) In Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

• I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and adhere to their ethical framework

• I am fully insured

• I have regular supervision with a very experienced colleague to ensure my client work is robust and safe

• I undertake regular Continuing Professional Development to deepen and update my knowledge and skills.
   

I am a strong believer in the possibility of change and, given enough time and space, everyone can enjoy a richer, more fulfilled life. Sometimes you just need the help of a therapist to find your way there.
 

If you’d like to work with me or want to know more, please use our contact form to make an initial appointment with me where you can ask any questions you’d like.