Child and Adolescent Counselling and Psychotherapy in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Supporting Children, Teenagers & Families Through Life’s Challenges

Child psychotherapist in St Albans

Therapy and counselling can be helpful at many points in life, especially when challenges feel too big to manage alone, emotions become difficult to understand, or there’s a general sense that something’s not quite as it should be.

Perhaps you are a young person visiting this website because there are parts of your life that feel worrying, overwhelming, or uncertain right now. Looking for help is a brave step to take.

As a parent, you may be concerned that your child is struggling to connect with others, or perhaps you've noticed they seem more anxious or withdrawn than usual.

Whatever your reason for seeking help, this is a place where you and your child will be met with empathy and understanding.

I offer support for anxiety, low mood, anger, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, trauma, loss, health challenges, identity questions, navigating neurodiversity differences, cultural transitions and the impact of divorce or family breakdown.

If your child or teenager feels overwhelmed, stuck or distressed, therapy can provide a safe and supportive space to begin making sense of what they are going through.

About me

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a white short-sleeved sweater and dark blue pants, standing against a brick wall, smiling at the camera.

I’m Aline, and I am an Integrative Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist and Counsellor, based in St Albans, Hertfordshire. I am a clinical member of the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy, College for Child and Adolescent Psychotherapies, CCAP) and a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). I trained at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education (IATE), where I learnt from leading experts in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, such as Graham Music and Dan Hughes (PACE), amongst others. 

My training and clinical practice are grounded in psychoanalytic, attachment-based, and arts-informed approaches. I draw on creative arts and play as powerful ways for children and young people to express their inner world, particularly when words alone are not enough. I take care to adapt the work to suit the developmental stage, emotional needs and unique way of communicating of every child or adolescent I work with.

At the heart of my work is building a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship, where thoughts and feelings can be explored at a pace that feels right. 

For more information about my qualifications and professional registration, and about some differences between types of therapy, please visit my FAQ page.

  • "It is a joy to be hidden, and a disaster not to be found"

    - Donald Winnicott

  • "We are only as needy as our unmet needs"

    - John Bowlby

  • "Enter into children's play and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet."

    - Virginia Axline

Acknowledging the need for help is a courageous and important first step.

Illustration of an upset young person with short black hair feeling unwell, holding their head with both hands, with clouds and lightning bolts in the background.

Children and teenagers come to counselling or therapy for many different reasons: struggles with friendships, low mood, anxiety, angry outbursts, or school-related issues. Others may be experiencing the impact of trauma, bereavement, family breakdown, or neurodiverse differences. Sometimes the reasons aren’t clear, but a child may seem persistently unhappy, withdrawn, or overwhelmed.

I aim to support my clients in developing the emotional resilience and inner resources they need, not only to cope with current challenges, but also to build a stronger foundation for their lives ahead.

If you’re considering support, please get in touch to go through whether I might be a good fit for your child or family.

Get in touch

Please fill in your details and include a short message outlining the type of support you’re seeking. I see children and adolescents face-to-face in my private practice in St Albans, Hertfordshire. I also offer online sessions for older teenagers, when suitable.

Alternatively, you can call me on 07776885120, and I will get back to you within 48 hours.