My background

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My experience in education started almost twenty years ago when I was a SEND learning support assistant in an international school in Tokyo, this was the job that really made me want to become an Educational Psychologist. From then on, I have successfully supported children and young people in a wide range of educational establishments from early years settings through to college; I have worked in specialist provisions for autism, complex learning difficulties and behavioural needs.

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Whilst in the UK, I served on the Local Authority Adoption & Fostering Panel. Since then, I have had a long-standing interest in developmental trauma and the impact this has on children’s mental health. To develop my skills further, I have completed training by Bruce Perry and Dan Hughes, learning attachment informed, trauma sensitive methods to support families and schools.

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My therapeutic background is diverse, working with children and young people to support anxiety, depression, anger, grief, family and cultural relational difficulties, identity, school transitions and bullying.

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Across my career, I have consulted on many aspects of school development and improvement. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team in a British school in Dubai, I established the whole school safeguarding framework, wrote Mental Health policies and procedures, and headed wellbeing and therapeutic services.

 

What will therapy be like?

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My approach to therapy begins by just taking some time to get to know my clients and building up trust and rapport. I firmly believe that feeling a connection with your therapist is a crucial first step to positive outcomes. Children and young people make the best progress when they find a safe space where they can be themselves and work with a trusted adult who builds on their strengths. Depending on what you’re going through, I will work in an integrative way to match your needs in the way I believe will be most effective.

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My life in the UAE

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I have lived in Dubai for nine years and have worked with clients from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. I am mum to a football-crazy little boy who was born and raised in Dubai. I understand the challenges that come from living overseas, from being away from family and the unique experience of raising Third Culture Kids.