Cherilyn Clayton

I have over 25 years of experience supporting people at their most difficult times. I aim to offer fresh insights, strategies and ideas to assist you to create change and move ahead in greater strength and confidence.

Areas of Special Interest

• depression
• anxiety
• stress
• relationships
• eating disorders
• sleep problems
• self-harm
• parenting
• blended families
• separated parenting
• communication

Counselling/Therapy Services

I provide a professional and confidential counselling and therapy service, specialising in working with adolescents, families, couple relationships and parenting.

Individuals:
The aim of therapy is to give you a deeper understanding of the nature of the problem you are experiencing and/or why you respond to situations in the way you do. You may discover that the solutions you employed to alleviate your distress have now become part of the problem. I aim to offer fresh insights, strategies and ideas to assist you to create change and move ahead in greater strength and confidence.

Therapy for Kids, Teens and Families:
I enjoy working with families who need help dealing with major life events such as separation, re-partnering, mental health issues or trauma. Counselling can also help adolescents improve their communication and relationship with their parent(s) and parents who are struggling to know how to interact effectively with their teens.

Counselling/Therapy Approach

When we meet we will take the time to talk through the things that are concerning you. We will talk about how you want things to be and what will help you move in the direction of your goals. The aim of therapy is to give you a better understanding of yourself, your thoughts, feelings and actions. In keeping with a systemic perspective, there may be people close to you that you feel it would be helpful to include in your sessions to strengthen and bring healing to those relationships.

Every attempt is made to complete therapy within the shortest time possible, however this will depend upon the depth and complexity of the issue at hand. Sessions usually last an hour and will ideally take place on a regular weekly or fortnightly basis.

Background and Experience

I have over 25 years of experience working with children and families. I am a Registered Psychotherapist, a trained Family Therapist and an accredited Dialectical Behavioural Therapist (DBT).

I began working with children and families in a Wellington non-profit organisation in 1997. In 2005, I completed an MSc in Systemic Family Therapy at the Institute of Psychiatry (King’s College London), this included a placement at the Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders Service at Maudsley Hospital. I have been a member of the Youth Team at Hutt Hospital’s Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health and Addiction Service (ICAFS) for 9 years. I help young people who are experiencing difficulties to make changes and move ahead in strength and confidence.

I now have a private practice in Wellington.