My Training

Main Formal Qualifications:

  • PhD Research Student in Applied Transpersonal Psychology (Liverpool John Moores University / Alef Trust)

  • MEd Educational Psychology with Distinction (University of Bristol)

  • MEd Psychology in Education with Distinction (University of Bristol)

  • PGCE Teaching Qualification (History Secondary) (University College Worcester)

  • BA Hons Degree (History, French, Italian) (University of Leeds)

Training Courses, Certificates & Diplomas:

  • Registered Sandplay Therapist (STR) with the Association for Sandplay Therapy (AST)

  • 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training with ‘My Vinyasa Practice’ (to be completed…)

  • Emotion Coaching (2-Day Core Training)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) including using ACT with trauma (Multiple days/ ongoing)

  • Drawing and Talking Therapy (1-Day Foundation Training)

  • Diploma in Trauma & Mental Health Informed Schools (TISUK) (12 Day Course)

  • Certified Infant Massage Instructor with the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) (4 Days),

  • Certificate in the Theory and Practice of Nurture Groups (nurtureuk) (4 Days)

Continuing Professional Development (CPD):

  • A range of training courses whilst working as an EP in Gloucestershire EPS, including Restorative Practice 2x days (Molly MacLeod / GCC), ‘Teaching Recovery Techniques’ for refugee children impacted by war or experiences of migration (Yule, Dyregrov, Raundalen, & Smith, 2013) (2-Day training) (Children and War Foundation), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Courses (Blocks 2 - 5) (Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre - OCTC) (8 days), Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) (Hilary Kennedy) (2-Day initial training), Sensory Attachment Interventions for Children with Trauma (Eadaoin Breathnach) (2-Day training), Trauma Informed Approaches (Betsy de Thierry) (Bath) 4x days, Attachment in the Classroom 1x day (Heather Geddes), Resilience Conference 1x day (Lisa Cherry) (Manchester), Dynamic Assessment / Cognitive Abilities Profile (Dr Ruth Deutsch), Zippy’s Friends (Social Skills / Bereavement Programme), Therapeutic Parenting (Dan Hughes / PACE), Person-Centred Planning: PATH, MAPS, and Circles of Support, and facilitating ‘Big Pictures’…and more.  

  • A range of training courses whilst working as an EP in Worcestershire EPS, including Understanding and Supporting (Looked After Children) with Attachment Needs (Kim Golding), FRIENDS (Resilience Programme), Parenting Puzzle / Family Links (Parenting), Resilience Conferences/ Events (with Robbie Gilligan) (London), Self-Harm Conferences (Jan Sutton / Self-Harm Alliance) (Cheltenham), Precision Teaching, Appreciative Inquiry, Motivational Interviewing, Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)…and more.

  • A range of courses whilst an Assistant Psychologist for Newport Educational Psychology Service, including understanding sensory & physical needs from Occupational Therapists, communication and interaction needs from Speech and Language Therapists & cognition and learning needs from Advisory Teachers / Specialist Teachers. Courses on supporting children with a range of complex and / or social-emotional needs, including PECs, TEACCh, Teaching Talking, SPEIC, Brain Gym and The Class Moves, Circle Time, Circle of Friends, Anger Management, Peer Support, TEAM TEACH, Assertive Discipline and Coping with Kids (Parenting)…and more.

  • Training whilst a secondary school teacher: Adolescent Self-Harm and Suicide - One Day Conference (Samaritans and Professor Keith Hawton) (Oxford); Developing Literacy and Thinking Skills in Underachieving Boys.

Training Completed During Masters Degrees:

  • Relational & effective personal communication approaches taught as part of my second MEd in Educational Psychology, including Joint/ Collaborative Problem Solving models (Consultation), Personal Construct Psychology (Phil Stringer), Egan’s Skilled Helper model, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (BRIEF), Narrative Therapy, Conflict Resolution and Assertiveness Techniques. 

  • Other modules in my second Masters degree included: Child Development, Assessment, Inclusion, Emotional Maturity & Behaviour, and Research Methods.

  • Counselling approaches taught as part of my first MEd in Psychology of Education module on Guidance and Counselling in Education, including Person-Centred Counselling (Carl Rogers), CBT, Transactional Analysis, and Psychodynamic perspectives. 

  • Other modules in my first Masters degree included: Cognition and Learning Difficulties; Communication and Interaction Difficulties; Sensory and Physical Difficulties; Educating Children with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties; Psychology of the Development of Language, Literacy and Cognition including Neuropsychology; Developmental Psychology of Personality and Socialisation; Statistics in Education; Research Methods – Introduction to Educational Inquiry.

Memberships:

  • Board Member of the Association for Sandplay Therapy (AST) https://sandplayassociation.com/

  • Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) with BPS. Practising Certificate number: 133534

  • Registered Practitioner Psychologist with Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Number: PYL21571