Sophie Pryal
Child & Family Psychotherapy
'We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails'
About Me
I have over fifteen years of experience working therapeutically with children, young people and families in a variety of settings. As well as running a small private practice,  I work in local schools with young people aged 6-18 and with children and caregivers at an independent fostering agency in Buckinghamshire. I offer an integrated service when working with young people and families; tailoring my approach to fit the need. Sometimes this may be to work with the child individually, at other times to work with the parent/s supporting the child. I trained as a child & family psychotherapist at the Tavistock and Portman NHS trust. My background is in the Arts and I think my creativity and warm, authentic communication style helps me to make meaningful connections with young people and families from all backgrounds.  I am a registered member of the  BACP professional registrations and abide by their code of ethics.
'Safety is not the absence of threat,
it is the presence of connection'
Gabor Mate
Services offered
Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy
As a child psychotherapist I seek to look beneath the surface of difficult emotions and behaviours and help the young person to understand their underlying communications and needs. Through the processing of confused, angry, painful feelings, young people can feel released from fear and anxiety and put back onto a more healthy developmental track. I take a holistic, integrated approach when thinking about the needs of a young person, tailoring my approach to meet individual need. I offer both short term and long term therapy and as well as exploring root causes for longer term benefit, I also help young people with coping strategies in the here-and-now.
Parent/Carer Therapeutic Consultation
Parenting and caring for young people can be tough and demanding. As a mother of two I know this well and promote the importance of providing a non-judgemental, supportive space for reflection and increased understanding. Children do not come with a manual and there are times when we are left feeling anxious, baffled, disturbed and defeated. We can also find that we are pushed into patterns of relating with our child that we want to change but don't know how. I work with parents and caregivers to increase understanding of what is being communicated through their child's behaviour and explore how our own childhood influences the way we parent. This reflective work can help you to feel more connected with your child and help them to overcome whatever challenges they are facing.
Training
Throughout my therapy career I have offered training and consultation in schools and organisations on various aspects of child development and therapeutic care. I am passionate about sharing knowledge with adults working with children, in order for young people to be understood better and adults to feel more confident in the work they do.
Please get in touch
For more information about my services and fees, or to set up a call or initial appointment, please email me at:
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