Alex Penfold RMN Dip NCPS ACCPH

Alex is a compassionate, specialist mental health nurse and nurse psychotherapist. She is dedicated to fostering emotional resilience and mental well-being in children, adolescents and young adults. With over a decade of experience working in psychiatric services, she specialises in helping young clients navigate the complexities of anxiety, depression, trauma, psychosis, self-harm and much more. Alex is also specially trained to work with families and believes this to be an essential part of her therapeutic work.

Alex initially qualified as a psychiatric nurse in 2013 from the University of Surrey. Since then, Alex has spent many years working in mental health services and continues to work part-time in NHS CAMHS and adult inpatient services. Alex holds a post-graduate diploma in family and systemic practice and is also an equine facilitated psychotherapist (Level 5 Diploma LEAP). Alex is a member of the Association of Family Therapy (AFT), National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), Association of Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists (ACCPH) and is also regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

She utilises a blend of evidence-based psychotherapeutic techniques and psychoeducation skills from a “bio-psycho-social” perspective (meaning that Alex’s specialty is in assessment of the biological, psychological and social needs of a person). As Alex is a mental health nurse, she is able to work with complex mental health disorders including those who self-harm, experience suicidal thoughts and have severe symptoms, such as psychosis.

Alex is available Thursdays and Fridays for in person or online sessions. Alex is also able to attend schools and homes if the young person is anxious about attending a new place.

In addition to her clinical practice, Alex is a keen educator and expert witness in psychiatric nursing. She conducts workshops for local authorities, health care sector services, parents and schools, emphasising the importance of understanding the neurobiological aspects of child brain development and being aware of one’s own emotional regulation and communication styles.

Outside of her professional life, Alex enjoys horse riding, cats, nights in watching horror movies, drawing and painting, true crime, playing acoustic guitar, singing and spending time with her friends, partner, 2 cats and family.