About Alex

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I’m Alex Penfold, a mental health nurse and therapist with experience working across child, adolescent, and adult mental health services. I offer therapeutic support to children, young people, and adults up to the age of 30, alongside psychoeducation for parents and families, and training and consultancy for professionals.

My work is grounded in the belief that mental health does not exist in isolation. Emotions, behaviour, and distress are shaped by relationships, experiences, and the systems people live within. Because of this, I work in a way that is relational, trauma-aware, and developmentally informed, rather than focused on labels or quick fixes.

I work slowly and thoughtfully, creating space to reflect and understand what is happening beneath the surface.

Whether I’m supporting a child, a young adult, a parent, or a professional team, my focus is on:

• Understanding behaviour and emotional distress in context
• Working without blame, shame, or pathologising language
• Supporting insight, safety, and emotional regulation
• Building confidence and clarity over time

I value curiosity, collaboration, and honesty, and I aim to create a therapeutic or learning space that feels safe, respectful, and containing.

My therapeutic work includes:

• Mental health therapy for children and young people
• Therapy for young adults aged 18–30
• Psychoeducation support for parents and families

I have particular experience working with:

• Anxiety, emotional regulation, and low mood
• Trauma and adverse childhood experiences
• Attachment and relational difficulties
• Transitions into adolescence and adulthood

My approach adapts to the person in front of me and may include creative, reflective, and relational ways of working, always guided by the individual’s needs and pace.

Alongside therapy, I provide training and consultancy for professionals working in mental health and care settings.

This includes:

• Mental health CPD and reflective training
• Support with documentation, clinical reasoning, and defensible practice
• Consultancy grounded in real-world clinical experience

I am particularly interested in supporting practice that is ethical, thoughtful, and genuinely person-centred, rather than procedural or tick-box driven.

I am a registered mental health nurse with experience across NHS, independent, and community settings. My work draws on:

• Relational and systemic thinking
• Trauma-informed care
• Attachment-aware practice
• Reflective and ethical decision-making

I continue to engage in regular supervision, reflection, and professional development to ensure my work remains safe, thoughtful, and accountable.