HART PSYCHOLOGY
DR HELEN CHILDS, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
​
Private Psychological Therapy
in North-East Hampshire & Online

Clinical Specialisms
Life transitions and Identity

Life throws many changes at us and we face many transitions which can affect our confidence and self-identity. It could be bereavement, ill health, a relationship breakdown, becoming a parent, coping with the perimenopause or children leaving home. Perhaps you are just seeking a space to consider what you want from life and how to attain it.
Perfectionism, Burnout and Stress

-
Do you feel in a constant state of anxiety and pressure to get things done?
-
Do others say you are good at things but you have a deep sense of inadequacy and self-doubt?
-
Do you set high standards for yourself and beat yourself up if you can't reach these? Perhaps you get irritated with others if they don't reach your standards?
-
Maybe you fall into patterns of avoiding or procrastinating if you fear you will fail or not reach your standards?
​
Together we might explore:
-
Where these patterns of pushing yourself so hard and perfectionism came from
-
What you fear if you don't reach your standards
-
How to develop a more supportive inner voice
-
Skills for coping with anxiety and pressure
-
Support to help foster more balance in life
'People-Pleasing' and boundaries

-
Are you often putting other people's needs first? Do you try hard to please others and fear their rejection if you don't?
-
Perhaps you feel taken advantage of, or find yourself in relationships with people who are controlling, self-focused or unable to meet your needs.
-
Maybe you feel resentful, low and exhausted.
-
You might feel unsure of what YOU really want for yourself and your life.
​​
Working with me, we look at these patterns and:
-
Explore their origins in your early life
-
How these patterns stop you feeling happy and prevent you from having fulfilling relationships
-
Explore any unhelpful and self-limiting beliefs
-
Find and practice your authentic voice and to set healthier boundaries
-
Identify what matters to YOU and your life.
​​
Recovery after narcissistic and/or abusive relationships

'Narcissism' is on a continuum of severity and is characterised by behaviour that is highly self-absorbed, controlling, critical and lacking in empathy.
You might be trying to move forwards after an abusive childhood where one or both of your parents demonstrated these traits. Or perhaps you have experienced this abuse within a close relationship.
​
If you have been on the receiving end of an narcissistic relationship, you might experience a loss of confidence, doubt yourself constantly, or experience traumatic memories of abuse from the relationship. You might worry about starting another relationship or find yourself drawn again to the same type of partner.
​
*Please note that if you are currently in an abusive relationship with a risk of harm to yourself, you will need support from specialist services in the first instance. Details of organisations are available here.
​
​
​
​
Treatment for Trauma and PTSD

Trauma symptoms include re-experiencing of frightening events through flashbacks or nightmares, feeling anxious and in a constant state of threat and trying to avoid reminders or triggers to frightening events.
Traumatic events can include a single incident (e.g. a car crash, assault) or repeated or prolonged exposure to multiple distressing events. Trauma can affect our sense of safety, our trust in others and our everyday functioning.
I help individuals with adulthood or childhood trauma to process distressing and often overwhelming experiences and to move forwards and reconnect with what matters most.
Adult ADHD Assessments

I am trained in assessing and diagnosing Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults. I offer an initial screening appointment to determine suitability of this assessment. Following this, information is gathered through questionnaires, feedback from significant others, specialist semi-structured interview, full report and feedback session, along with recommendations. Further information is available here.