Leonie Drake (my pronouns are She/Her)

My name is Leonie Drake, I am a BACP registered Integrative Child, Adolescent and Adult Therapist. I offer a safe, calm, playful and nurturing space for young people to grow, feel supported and heal in a non-judgemental way. Providing support for age ranges 4-18 and adults.

Child and adolescent work

 My approach is ‘integrative’, this means it will be attuned to the individual young person’s specific needs, drawing on many types of therapy modalities (such as psychodynamic and person centered.) Children and young people (adolescents and teens) often express their feelings and process inner conflicts through varied ways that can often be hard to put into words and may be shown or embodied (using their body.)

I can offer a child-led, relational and empathetic approach, which draws on a variety of dynamic and creative methods – this could be through using art materials, play and metaphor, alongside talking therapy.

• I can treat children and young people who are experiencing behavioural, emotional, social and psychological difficulties. By enabling a young person to feel safe in our therapeutic relationship, I help them to understand process and manage inner conflict and presenting needs.
• It is proven that early intervention can help prevent further issues from developing into adulthood.

Adult therapy work:

I can help support you through periods of difficulties and encourage a deeper understanding of yourself. 

Sometimes our current behaviour and relationship patterns can be replicating unprocessed childhood wounds, difficult attachments and trauma. Within the therapeutic relationship, by processing acceptance and self compassion of our inner experiences, it can help to transform patterns of behaviour that no longer serve us in our current lives.

I have extensive training and experience working with trauma and understanding difficult relationships. I will meet you where you’re at, using a variety of therapeutic methods, including traditional talking therapy, alongside visualisation, working with the body (how we can store trauma and feelings somatically) and creativity if desired. 

Whilst I have worked with a broad spectrum of issues and concerns, I have particular experience in working with:

-        Disordered eating and Eating Disorders (e.g. post treatment recovery). Understanding low self worth and relationship with food and body image. 

-        Addiction - whether you are the person suffering or in close proximity to someone suffering.

-        Depression, anxiety and how this may manifest.

 I will support issues such as:

• Addictions
• Adoption (registered as an Independent therapist with Adoption England.)
• ADHD
• Anxiety and depression
• Attachment issues
• Autism
• Bereavement and grief
• Bipolar and mood disorders
• Body image
• Bullying
• Childhood trauma and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder.)
• Chronic illnesses
• Disabilities and learning difficulties
• Divorce/family difficulties/ relationships
• Eating disorders and disordered eating
• Gender and Identity
• Life transitions
• Self-esteem
• Self-harm
• Sexuality and sexual health
• Sexual abuse and exploitation/grooming

Training & Qualifications: Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling. My training underpins trauma-orientated Body Psychotherapy, working with attachments and relationships.

• PG Dip in Integrative Child and Adolescent Counselling – Training in MA Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy. (Terapia, London.)
• PG Dip in Adult Counselling and theoretical perspectives in Psychotherapy. (Terapia, London.)
• Certificate Adult Counselling Skills. (London).

Other therapeutic experience – within the NHS, Voluntary Sector and Local Authority, spanning the last 13 years in London:

• School Counselling in Primary and Secondary Schools with ages 4-18 years old for 7 years.
• Leading in-depth one to one and group work with severely autistic children aged 5-16 years old.
• I design and facilitate parent’s therapeutic groups – this includes ‘Theraplay’ sessions. Aimed at building and enhancing attachments between adult and child relationships.
• Sexual Health and Relationship Education, with young people in Schools and Colleges, outreach, workshops, teaching lessons and training professionals in the community, spanning 10 years.
• Therapeutic 1:1 and group support in NHS clinics with:
• HIV+ young people and adults.
• Sexual assault patients.
• Patients with complex mental health needs.
• Domestic Violence lead for families.

As a member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy), I abide by their code of ethics, which includes regular supervision of my work and ongoing professional development.