About Amanda Rippengale

Hi, I’m Amanda, a qualified and BACP-registered child counsellor specialising in therapeutic work with primary-aged children.

My story

Children have been at the heart of my working life for 30 years but becoming a child counsellor wasn’t something I had planned earlier in my life…

My journey began with a love of working with children and a natural ability to connect with them. At the age of 16, I worked at children’s holiday clubs and continued with summer 2002 working for Camp America while I was training to become a primary teacher at Brunel University. I went on to spend seventeen years as a primary school teacher, later running my own one-to-one tuition business alongside teaching.  I discovered that the work I found most rewarding was helping individual children grow in confidence and realise what they were capable of.

That led me to undertake training in child counselling (ages 4-17)  at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education, London, where my understanding of children developed in a completely new way. I learnt more deeply about attachment, trauma, neuroscience and the importance of looking beyond behaviour to understand what a child may be communicating.

Today, I bring those different parts of my experience together. I have six years’ counselling experience working with children and teenagers although my practice now focuses on primary-aged children from 4–11 with continuation into secondary school where appropriate. My understanding of child development and school life sits alongside my therapeutic training, while the creativity and playfulness that have always been part of how I connect with children are now an important part of my therapeutic work.

I believe strongly in early emotional support. When children are given the opportunity to understand their feelings, process difficult experiences and develop healthy ways of coping, we are not only supporting the child they are today we are helping to build foundations they can carry with them into adulthood.

How I Work With Children

Building a trusting relationship with your child is at the core of how I work. I take time to get to know them, noticing their words, body language, interests and play, and adapting my approach to the child in front of me.

 Sessions include a range of art, play and creative resources, giving children the freedom to express themselves in ways that feel natural to them. There is no pressure to talk straight away and I will always work at your child’s pace.

A Little About Me

When I am not working, you will often find me out walking my dog. I love being outdoors, travelling, cooking and going to the theatre.

Professional Standards

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work in accordance with their Ethical Framework. I am fully insured and hold an enhanced DBS certificate, registered with the DBS Update Service.

I take my professional responsibilities seriously and undertake regular supervision: ongoing professional development and safeguarding training to ensure my practice remains safe, ethical and up-to-date with any new legislation.