Dench, Alexandra

About

I am a Counselling Psychologist and IPTuk-registered Interpersonal Psychotherapist, supporting children, young people, and their families. I also have experience working with adults experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. My approach is age-appropriate, trauma-informed, neurodivergence-affirming, and grounded in evidence-based therapeutic models. Interventions are tailored to individual needs and may range from brief, solution-focused support to high-intensity specialist therapy.

I am passionate about offering counselling, therapeutic support and guidance with warmth, openness, respect and without judgement. My work is informed by over 10yrs of experience in local mental health services and with CAMHS. Together with clients we look at the aims and goals which are important to them to help lead a more fulfilling life.

I have expertise in supporting individuals with neurodivergence, including Autism, ADHD, and other neurotypes, through strengths-based therapeutic approaches. My work focuses on helping clients overcome challenges while recognizing and harnessing their unique differences and strengths. I support individuals in understanding and embracing their communication and sensory preferences, empowering them to live more comfortably, confidently, and meaningfully.

I am a trained bereavement support counsellor and a co-facilitator of The Bereavement Journey programme. I provide compassionate support to those coping with grief and loss, helping them navigate their unique experiences of bereavement in a safe, non-judgmental space.

About My Work

Our sessions will support you on your path to wellness and self-care. At times, people, but especially children and adolescents may find it hard to open up about their emotions to others or may need extra support to identify, understand and process their feelings. I offer a listening ear and a non-judgemental and safe space where they can explore, learn to express and manage better their difficulties. I support clients to learn the skills of problem solving and perspective taking to address practical difficulties when dealing with situations and managing interactions with others.

I offer CBT to address:

❇️ low mood, social, separation and generalised anxiety, as well as OCD, phobia, panic

I offer ACT or CBT-adapted approaches to address:

❇️ difficulties in relation to a neurotype diagnosis, such as Autism or ADHD, focusing on the neuro-affirming models and celebrating the client’s strengths.

❇️ emotional-wellbeing difficulties related to undiagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions

Interpersonal psychotherapy for adolescents with depression (IPTA):
❇️ is a form of psychotherapy for young people ages 13-18 who are suffering from depression

❇️ focuses on reducing conflict and improving quality of relationships to relieve symptoms

❇️ structured approach of 12 sessions with the adolescent. Additional sessions with caregivers can be agreed if the young person wishes to involve them in the therapy.

My approach in therapy is:

❇️ to help clients working through difficulties with mental health and confusing, conflicting or uncomfortable issues

❇️ to enable clients to gain the most of therapy and rediscover their strengths

❇️ to support clients to acknowledge what matters to them and find ways to accept and work on their vulnerabilities

❇️ to support clients to improve their relationships and build their support network

❇️ to promote self-care and healthy coping strategies to achieve recovery and good quality of life.

Parents are recommended to join sessions with younger children. Working with adolescents, parents are provided with resources, offered feedback when appropriate and involved with the child’s consent. Where clinical risk is present, I can offer support where is well managed, typically whilst the client is monitored by their GP or mental health services. Where risk is not managed, I signpost families to their GP, specialist CAMHS and/or Crisis services.