Jenny Perkel - Profile

I am a clinical psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). I have 28 years of experience – over 20 000 consultation hours. My special interest is working with parents of children, adolescents and infants. I also work with adults and adolescents over the age of 15 years.

I am the author of the books, Babies in Mind (JUTA Books) – for parents and health professionals and Children in Mind (WITS University Press) 2022 – for students, educators and mental health professionals.

I draw on a few different theoretical models, including psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and mindfulness training. In addition to psychotherapy with anyone over the age of 15 years, I offer parent guidance counselling and parent therapy, when there are problems with infants, children and teenagers. Perinatal counselling, often involving postnatal depression and anxiety, is one of my main areas of interest.

I have worked extensively with a range of different mental, emotional, behavioural and social problems that arise during childhood and adolescence. These include autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, mood disorders, selective mutism, eating disorders, sleep disorders, learning disorders, disabilities, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, oppositional defiance disorder (ODD), conduct disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), victims and perpetrators of abuse (sexual and other kinds), and trauma. I also have experience working with anyone (of any age) experiencing depression, stress, anxiety, panic attacks, medical conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome, disabilities, trauma of all kinds, relationship difficulties, sleep disturbances, eating disorders, neurodiversity, emotional dysregulation and low self-esteem.

I have an interest in the psychodynamic model of psychotherapy, and I am on the editorial board of the professional journal, Psychoanalytic Practice. I have published content for mental health professionals, post-graduate psychology students and for the general public in the areas of child, perinatal and infant mental health. For many years I have offered clinical supervision and training to infant and child mental health professionals.