Having spent almost 30 years supporting children, young people and families across education, psychology, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and children’s mental health, I bring a wealth of professional knowledge and experience to my work with families.

Throughout my career, I have worked in schools, Local Authority services and NHS-commissioned mental health services, supporting children and families with a wide range of emotional, behavioural and developmental needs. This breadth of experience has given me a strong understanding of child development, emotional wellbeing and behaviour, while also reinforcing something I feel very strongly about – there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to supporting a child.

Every child has their own strengths, challenges and individual way of experiencing the world. Sometimes, behaviour that feels difficult or confusing is a child’s way of communicating that something isn’t quite right. Taking the time to understand what may be happening underneath the behaviour can help us find ways of supporting them that feel compassionate, practical and achievable.

I believe that parents are the experts on their own children. My professional experience allows me to bring another perspective – helping you to make sense of what may be happening and drawing on psychological approaches and evidence-based strategies where these may be helpful. My role is not to tell you how to parent, but to work alongside you, combining your knowledge of your child with my professional expertise to find an approach that feels right for your child and your family.

When I work directly with children and young people, building a trusting relationship is always at the heart of what I do. I want them to feel comfortable, listened to and accepted for who they are. Support should never feel like something being ‘done’ to a child; it should help them understand themselves better, recognise their strengths and develop skills and confidence at a pace that feels manageable.

Reaching out for support can sometimes feel like a big step, particularly when you have been trying to work things out for some time. My aim is to provide a warm, thoughtful and non-judgemental space where families feel heard and understood, and where we can work together towards meaningful, lasting change.