Dr. Stef Kouvaras

Stef has worked in health care for over 15 years working with people across the age span. After clinical training she specialised in working with children, young people and families in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) including an Under 5s team, Pupil Referral Unit and within a Looked after children and adoption team. Stef currently works part time in CAMHS as a Professional Lead for Psychology. Stef has also been working in private practice since 2020 working with children, young people and adults. She has a special interest in attachment, developmental trauma and neurodiversity and offering parenting support.

Stef understands that families may need some support from time to time however that starting therapy can feel daunting. Stef understands that the therapeutic relationship is at the core of therapy and that creating safety is key.

Stef would describe herself as an integrative psychologist and draws from a range of therapeutic models including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR). Stef also draws on attachment and systemic ideas to help make sense of people’s experiences and has had training in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP).  Sessions can be more or less structured depending on what works for children, young people and families and Stef regularly checks in with clients to ensure that sessions are feeling helpful.

Stef has completed additional training to carry out neurodevelopmental assessment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and offers assessments within a neuro-affirming approach, highlighting children and young people’s strengths.