The Child Psychotherapy Council is dedicated to the advancement of child psychotherapy as a distinct profession within the field of child and adolescent mental health.

CPD certificates will be issued (1.5 hours)

This presentation offers a reflective and clinically informed exploration of therapeutic work with adoptive families and families living under Special Guardianship Orders. Drawing on the combined experience of Adrian Perks and Karlien Smith-Claassens, both experienced integrative child and adolescent psychotherapists, the session will examine the developmental, relational, and systemic complexities that shape this specialist area of practice. Their work is grounded in trauma-informed approaches, an understanding of disrupted attachment, and a sensitivity to the lifelong processes of identity formation inherent in adoption and Special Guardianship

Zoom Meeting 7pm to 8.30pm Thursday 30th April 2026

CPC members: No Charge       Non-members: £20

Adrian Perks is a UKCP-registered Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist. He trained at Terapia and has extensive experience working across primary and secondary school settings, supporting children, young people, and families with a wide range of emotional and behavioural needs. His background includes delivering therapeutic work in schools, collaborating closely with parents and teachers, and facilitating specialist therapy groups within educational environments. Adrian is a Level 2 NVR Practitioner and an EMDR trained therapist. He provides therapeutic parenting support to adoptive parents and special guardians, drawing on NVR informed principles in both individual and group formats. Adrian now works at The Lifespan Practice, where he offers EMDR therapy, integrative child and adolescent psychotherapy, therapeutic parenting support, and clinical supervision.

Karlien Smith-Claassens is a UKCP-registered Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist with an MA in Integrative Child Psychotherapy. She trained at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education (IATE), where she developed a strong grounding in the use of creative arts and play as therapeutic modalities that support emotional expression, regulation, and self-understanding. Her practice also integrates talking therapy and parent support, enabling her to respond with sensitivity and flexibility to the individual needs of each child, young person, and family. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in the principles of creativity, connection, and attunement. Alongside her clinical work, she provides clinical supervision, including supervision for infant observation groups.