Christina Gregory

Christina specialises in working with Children, Adolescents, Parents & Carers and has over 20 years’ experience working in statutory settings such as NHS CAMHS and Social Care as well as charitable organisations. Christina is also experienced in working with children and young people in care settings as well as Adoption and post Adoption.

During her career, Christina has also offered consultation and training to social care teams, work colleagues, professionals and schools. 

Christina specialises in a trauma informed approach as well as attachment-based approaches, working with children aged 5-18 years, although not limited to this approach and framework. Christina also has a keen interest in Neuroscience, Polyvagal theory and Third Wave approaches in Psychotherapy such as Mindfulness and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment therapy) and also Nature Based Therapy.

It is not always easy for children and adolescents to put their feelings and emotions into words and psychodynamic psychotherapy is a therapeutic process which helps children understand and resolve their problems by gently increasing an awareness over time of their inner world. It differs from other therapies in that it aims for deep seated change in emotional development. Psychoanalytic or psychodynamic psychotherapy draws on theories and practices of analytical psychology and psychoanalysis. Psychodynamic treatment is usually conducted once per week and the treatment might be of short or longer term in duration and process of helping and change is carefully and sensitively managed by Christina and conducted at the child’s pace using a safe and containing approach at all times. Research has shown that improvements are long-term, with adults who were treated as children or young people still feeling its impact many years later.

The approach used by Christina is tailored and finely tuned to the individual needs of the child, in the most age-appropriate way and considering the child’s developmental needs and life experiences.  Christina’s training enables her to respond to the way a child or young person wishes to communicate. Children are not asked direct or intrusive questions and the approach is non-directive.

During an individual session, young children do not usually talk directly about difficulties but may communicate through play using materials provided. To a trained eye, play is a powerful form of communication which may express how a child feels and the difficulties he or she may be experiencing. Older children may also play or draw whilst teenagers might talk about their feelings. Infants and parents are seen together to think about their patterns of interaction. Christina will undertake careful observation as to how a child or young person may respond and to what they might be communicating through their behaviour and play. The relationship between the child and the therapist is central to the treatment.

Working together is a valued part of the therapeutic process for Christina as is the child's relationship with the therapist, where over time a supportive working alliance is established and research suggests this is key to the outcome. Together as therapist and client we forge a working alliance that can be helpful, whichever way we plan to work together.

​There are various ways of working which will be planned and discussed in conjunction with parents/carer and child. Sometimes the most helpful support offered can be in working solely with parents/carers.

Christina’s clinical experience includes working with children and young people from different backgrounds and cultures as well as supporting children with loss, grief, parental separation, anxiety, emotional regulation, developmental trauma, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

Has experience working with:

• ​Anger
• Adoption
• Anxiety
• Bullying
• Children living with foster carer’s
• Developmental Trauma
• General Issues
• Low self esteem
• Neurodiversity
• Peer Relationships
• Relationship Issues
• Sadness
• School Issues
• Self-Harming
• Suicidal Ideation
• Stress
• Trauma

Child Psychotherapy: £90 per 50-minute session
Parent Consultation £150

Contact information