Services
Parenting can feel challenging, especially when you're facing anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, behavioural concerns, school-based anxiety, or frequent meltdowns. With the right support and strategies, positive change is possible. Together, we'll create a personalised plan that helps you strengthen your relationship with your child and feel more confident in your parenting every day.
Get Started
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Browse the services below to see which is best suited to help you and your family.
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Book a complimentary 15 minute consultation to discuss your concerns and see how we can help.
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If we’re a good fit we’ll work together to explore your concerns and put strategies in place.
Parenting Support
Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, exhausted, or unsure how to respond to your child's behaviour? I understand the complexities of raising children, from infancy through to the teenage years. Whether you’re dealing with toddler tantrums, school-age defiance, or teenage mood swings, I’m here to help you navigate the ups and downs of parenting. It’s important to recognise that if your child is showing signs of stress, or challenging behaviours, there may be many more factors at play than how you are parenting them.
We provide personalised support to help you feel calmer, more confident, and better equipped to manage everyday parenting challenges. Whether you're wondering how to stop yelling at my child, searching for help with challenging behaviour, or trying to understand what to do when my child has a meltdown, support is tailored to your family's unique needs.
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Parents navigating:
Parenting an anxious child and supporting children struggling with school-based anxiety
Parenting a highly sensitive child who experiences big emotions and overwhelm
Emotional outbursts, meltdowns, and challenging behaviour
Sibling conflict and family communication difficulties
Attachment and connection challenges
Developmental milestones, including sleep, feeding and toileting concerns
Building confidence through positive discipline alternatives and connection-based parenting approaches
Parenting a child with ADHD, autism or additional needs, including navigating emotional regulation, demand avoidance, sensory differences and school challenges
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Practical help with:
Challenging behaviour - including defiance, aggression, non-compliance and emotional outbursts.
Emotional regulation
Boundaries without punishment
Meltdowns and big feelings
Supporting sensitive and anxious children
Parenting support for overwhelmed mums
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The goal of parenting support is to help you feel calmer, more confident, and more connected to your child. Whether you're looking for answers on how to stop yelling at my child, how to set boundaries without punishment, or what to do when my child has a meltdown, the focus is on providing practical, compassionate strategies that create lasting positive change.
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Single session: £165
A one-off session to work through a specific challenge, with practical next steps you can start using straight away.Block of 4 sessions: £600 (£150 per session)
Four sessions to be used within 3 months. This gives you time to try things at home and come back to talk about what worked, what didn’t and what to adjust. Includes one written summary and plan.Block of 8 sessions: £1,120 (£140 per session).
For deeper, longer-term support. To be used within 6 months. Includes two written summaries and plans.
Written summary and plan: £60
After any single session you can add a written summary of what we covered, the main themes, and a few clear strategies to try. Handy to refer back to, or to share with a partner.
Child and Young People Psychological Therapy
Is your child struggling with their emotions, behaviour or confidence? Perhaps they're finding school difficult, experiencing anxiety, struggling with friendships, having frequent meltdowns, or finding it hard to cope with life's challenges. You may have noticed changes in their mood, confidence or behaviour and feel unsure about how best to help.
As clinical psychologists, we can provide compassionate, evidence-based support for children, young people and their families, helping them make sense of difficulties, strengthen emotional wellbeing and build confidence.
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Children and families experiencing difficulties including:
Anxiety and worries
Low mood and depression
Emotional regulation difficulties
Anger and frustration
Low self-esteem and confidence
School-related difficulties and school avoidance
Friendship and social difficulties
Family transitions and separation
Grief and loss
Trauma and adverse childhood experiences
Neurodivergence-related challenges (Autism and ADHD)
Behavioural difficulties
Attachment and relationship difficulties
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We draw upon a range of evidence-based approaches, depending on your child's age, needs and goals, including:
Therapies offered
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
Attachment-informed interventions
Play and creative therapeutic approaches
Parent and family consultation
Children often find it easier to express themselves through activities, creativity, stories and play than through direct conversation. Sessions are tailored to your child's developmental stage and individual preferences.
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To better understand what's driving your child's difficulties, strengthen emotional wellbeing and family relationships, and equip both children and parents with practical tools to navigate challenges with greater confidence and connection.
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Dr April Ward: £140 per 50-minute session
Associates: £130 per 50-minute session
Recognised by BUPA health insurance.
Adult Psychological Therapy
Many aspects of our identity and things that have happened in our lives can have an impact on our mental health. Developing an understanding about how your background and experiences influence who you are, can guide you to make changes in your life, for both you and your family. Together we can work out what it is about parenting that is triggering for you and find more helpful ways of managing your mental health, to allow you to respond to your child in ways that foster and strengthen your bond.
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For adults experiencing anxiety, stress, burnout, low mood, life transitions, relationship difficulties, perfectionism, or overwhelming emotions. I also support neurodivergent adults, including those who identify as autistic, ADHD, or are exploring whether their experiences may be linked to neurodivergence. Experiences relating to trauma, gender, culture, race, class or sexuality are just some of the factors that shape who we are. It can be difficult to make sense of these complex aspects of life, so we can work together to unpick these experiences, build self-understanding and confidence, strengthen your relationships, and create a meaningful life that feels aligned with who you are.
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Individual therapy sessions tailored to your goals and needs, drawing on evidence-based psychological approaches. Together, we will explore patterns, develop practical coping strategies, and build greater self-awareness, resilience, and emotional wellbeing.
Therapies offered:
CFT (Compassion Focused Therapy)
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Therapy)
Internal Family System (IFS) informed therapy
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
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To help you feel more confident, balanced, and equipped to manage life's challenges. Therapy can support you to improve your emotional wellbeing, strengthen relationships, and live more in line with what matters most to you.
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Dr April Ward: £140 per 50-minute session
Associates: £130 per 50-minute session
Recognised by BUPA health insurance.
Cognitive Assessments
Understanding how your child thinks and learns can make it easier to know how best to support them. A cognitive assessment provides a clear picture of their individual strengths and areas of difficulty, helping to guide learning, educational support and next steps.
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For children and young people aged 8-18 who may be struggling with learning, attention, memory, processing, academic progress, or whose strengths and difficulties are not fully understood. Assessments can also be helpful when seeking evidence for school support, exam access arrangements, EHCP applications, or further clinical assessment.
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A comprehensive cognitive assessment using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV), alongside:
1-hour pre-assessment online consultation
Face-to-face cognitive assessment in Whitstable (2-3 hours)
Scoring, analysis, and interpretation
Comprehensive written report
Personalised letter to your child explaining their strengths, challenges and unique learning profile in a positive, child-friendly way
Feedback session and recommendations tailored to support learning, wellbeing, and educational planning at home and school.
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To provide a clear understanding of how your child thinks and learns, highlighting both strengths and areas of difficulty. The assessment helps inform support strategies, educational planning, and decision-making, while giving children and families greater insight, confidence, and understanding of their unique learning profile.
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Cognitive Assessment Package: £850
Circle of Security® Parenting Groups
Throughout the year, we run online Circle of Security® Parenting groups, an evidence-based 8-week programme designed to help parents better understand their child's emotional needs, strengthen attachment, and respond to challenges with greater confidence and connection.
Investment: £400
Interested in joining a future group? Get in touch to receive information about upcoming dates and availability.
“I can't thank April enough, or recommend her highly enough. She is empathetic, yet challenging, in an appropriate manner. She is insightful, a great listener and put me at ease when talking about difficult things. The warmth of her personality was comforting and reassuring.”
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sessions are available online via Zoom or face-to-face in Whitstable, Kent. Online therapy offers a flexible and effective option for many adults, parents, children, and families.
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We currently offer appointments during school hours and term time only. Availability can vary, so please get in touch to discuss current appointment times.
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The first session is an opportunity for us to explore what has brought you to therapy, your current concerns, and your goals for support. Together, we'll begin building an understanding of your situation and discuss the most appropriate way forward.
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Yes. Throughout the year we run online Circle of Security® Parenting groups. This evidence-based 8-week programme helps parents better understand their child's emotional needs, strengthen attachment, and respond with greater confidence and connection.
The investment is £400 for the full programme. If you'd like information about upcoming dates or to join a waiting list, please get in touch.
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Fees vary depending on the service required. Details of current fees can be found on the relevant service pages. If you have any questions about costs or would like help deciding which service is right for you, please contact me to arrange a free 15-minute consultation.
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Yes, I work with a number of private health insurance providers. Please get in touch with details of your insurer and policy, and I'll be happy to confirm whether I am currently registered with them and explain the next steps.
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We are Clinical Psychologists, trained to doctoral level, and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This means we are committed to ongoing professional development and practise in accordance with professional, ethical, and evidence-based standard.
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We draw from a range of evidence-based approaches depending on your needs, including Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), EMDR, attachment-based approaches, and cognitive and behavioural therapies.
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Compassion Focused Therapy helps people understand and work with self-criticism, shame, anxiety, and difficult emotions. It focuses on developing self-compassion, emotional resilience, and a kinder relationship with yourself.
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Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps people process and recover from distressing or traumatic experiences. EMDR can be helpful for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, phobias, and other difficulties linked to upsetting life events.
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No. While supporting parents and families is a key part of my work, I also provide therapy for adults who are not parents. People seek therapy for many reasons, including anxiety, stress, low mood, burnout, relationship difficulties, life transitions, trauma, and personal growth.
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Yes. We offer Child & Family Psychology services for children and young people experiencing emotional, behavioural, social, or school-related difficulties. Depending on the presenting concern, support may involve working directly with the child, meeting with parents, or a combination of both.
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Sometimes. Depending on your family's needs, support may involve individual sessions with a child, parent consultations, joint parent-child sessions, or a combination of these approaches. We will agree together on what is likely to be most helpful.
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I am not a family therapist or couples therapist. However, my work is strongly informed by attachment and relationship-focused approaches, and we often support parents, children, and families by considering the wider family context and relationships around a difficulty.
Why Good Parents Snap
A psychologists guide to breaking the anger-guilt cycle
A free psychologist-written guide to understanding why you lose your patience and how to break the anger-guilt cycle. Learn simple nervous system strategies to feel calmer, more connected, and less overwhelmed.
You don't need to figure it all out alone.
Book a free 15-minute consultation to share what's been going on and explore how support could help you and your family move forward.