Louise Rylatt

I am an integrative child and adolescent counsellor and a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. My approach is playful, empathic and non-judgmental. I offer a safe and contained space where children and young people can explore their difficulties. I believe play is the natural language of children and establishing a good therapeutic relationship is key to providing an environment in which change is able to occur.

Since 2017 I have enjoyed working as a counsellor with a diverse range of children, adolescents and families through schools and the children’s mental health charity, Place2Be. I have provided counselling at a secondary academy in Battersea and primary schools in Streatham, Tooting and Barking & Dagenham. Before qualifying as a counsellor, I was a research assistant in the NHS working at The Royal London Hospital on a narrative therapy and therapeutic play project for children and adolescents with chronic physical illness, and their families. I was also an assistant psychologist at an independent school for children with autism, and I counselled children and young people by telephone and online at ChildLine.

I adopt an integrative approach and primarily draw on person-centred and psychodynamic approaches. I also make use of attachment and systemic theory to guide my work. I respect a child’s wish to communicate with me in whichever form they choose. Depending on their age and developmental need, this may involve play, talking, or utilising creative methods (such as art, clay or sand-tray therapy). While sessions for older children and adolescents can tend more towards talking therapy, I find that often they too enjoy using creative and playful methods to share feelings and tell me about their personal story and struggles. I sometimes use problem-solving approaches or aspects of cognitive behavioural therapy to help children manage their difficulties by focussing on the link between thoughts, feelings and behaviour.

I am passionate about working with children and adolescents to help them improve their well-being. Prior to studying psychology and counselling, I was a lawyer in London and my home country of Australia.