Anna Reali

Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Counsellor

I am a Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Counsellor and supervisor specialising in working in Higher Education, and with children, young people and their families. I consider therapy to be a genuinely creative space where people can reflect and discover themselves in often new and unexpected ways.

My therapeutic approach is broadly psychodynamic, but interventions are always adapted to the individual needs of those people who come to see me. I pay attention to what may be going on under the surface and to the ways past experiences can shape our current lives. Most importantly, I aim to develop a therapeutic relationship that is collaborative, caring and trusting.

Since an early age I have been interested in the narratives that we create about ourselves and the world around us, how these narratives impact on our sense of self, drive us or inhibit us as we grow up. By paying attention to our inner experience in relation to our living environments, psychodynamic therapy has the potential to bring these stories and conflicts to the surface where they can be held and understood. The fixed narrative changes through this exploration and becomes more flexible, kinder and compassionate.

My professional experience is broad and includes managing a therapy service in a big school in East London, working as a team leader for the charity Blue Smile in Cambridge, providing counselling to University staff and students in London. After working over four year in one of the Cambridge Colleges, I currently focus on my private practice and welcome students who are either self-funding or are funded through their College.

Central to my approach to working with children is the use of creative and art materials, as a tool to facilitate the expression of emotions and experiences that may otherwise remain unspoken or unprocessed.

I have a particular interest in interpersonal, intercultural and relationship issues, the impact of life challenges and transitions on our sense of self, issues with self-worth and loss of meaning in life. I have substantial experience with young people who may struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, low self-esteem, loss and bereavement, parental separation, issues with identity and belonging.

Before committing to a course of therapy, I suggest a first meeting with me, called an ‘initial consultation’. This meeting carries no obligation to continue but offers an opportunity to explore what counselling or longer-term therapy might be like, how it could help. Following the meeting we can decide whether to continue with further sessions, either short- or longer-term, based on what has been discussed, current circumstances and if we think that we are a good therapeutic fit.

Supervision and Parent consultations

I am an accredited clinical supervisor working with individuals and groups. I currently supervise for the Cogwheel charity in Cambridge and supervise trainees from the Faculty of Education in Cambridge. I provide reflective practice to individual practitioners to support them in their role. For further information please see my profile at

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/supervisor_52848.html

In addition to individual therapy I offer consultations to parents and carers to reflect about their experience of parenting, to improve communication and emotional connection, and to identify effective tools to manage difficulties. The feedback that I received from parents confirms that even a single consultation can be extremely beneficial. 

Qualifications and further training (selected)

MSc with distinction in Psychodynamic Counselling with Children and Adolescents (now known as: Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents) Birkbeck, London

Accredited Diploma in Supervision, Cambridge Supervision Training (ASIIP).

Traumatic Bereavement: Working Therapeutically with Children and Young People, Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

'Couples as Parents and Parents as Couples' (3-months course), Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust

Advanced Training in Group Processes, OPUS, London

I am fully accredited by the BPC (British Psychoanalytical Council) and a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)

I have a current DBS certificate