The how and the why…

The how…

My work experience in Education, SEND Support Services and Children’s Services over the previous 12 years has equipped me with a specific skillset and experience of challenges many children and young people face.

I first became interested in therapeutic care and support for children and their families in my role as a Local Authority Short Break Carer for the Disabled Children's Aiming High Scheme. This developed further in a mainstream High School Pastoral Team.  I am now in my 6th school year within a multi­disciplinary SEND Team where I draw from the skills and experience of Educational Psychologists, Specialist Teachers, Speech and Language Therapists and Literacy Team. I continue to learn from the pupils, families and professionals I work with every day. 

I provide appropriate contracting, including confidentiality with limits, at the beginning of the working relationship. I explore with pupils the tools and strategies that can work for them and give them a sense of control.  I use the principles of person centred counselling, CBT techniques and solution focused methods, personalising my approach to meet the needs of each child.

I use recognised models and theory within my practice and the PACE (Dan Hughes) approach when working with younger children, (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy).

I use Zones of Regulation (Leah M Kuypers) to support emotional regulation in children and young people who struggle with emotional literacy. Zones has has proven to be successful with many young people with a diagnosis of ASD, ADHD or both.

I use the Thoughts, Feelings and Actions Model (Beck) to explore unhelpful thoughts and the link to feelings and behaviours.

I am trained to deliver the ROAR response to Mental Health in Primary Schools training to School Staff.

More information on the influences, models and theory I incorporate into my practise can be found on my blog along with advice and practical strategies.

and the why…

I am motivated by helping children make sense of their world and developing the skills, growth mindset and resilience to cope within it.