MSW, MSc, BSc (Hons)

HCPC: SW3311
DBS: 001759389901

Specialist Assessment: Specialist Trauma & Attachment Psychological Assessment
Therapy: DDP

I began working therapeutically with children and adults in 2006, using Intensive Interaction with people living in government homes and institutions in Romania and Bulgaria and training volunteers in the approach. In the UK, I have worked in community and residential homes with children and adults with learning and physical disabilities, experience of domestic abuse, mental health, drug and alcohol problems. I studied BSc Psychology, completed my MA Social Work in 2011 and MSc Professional Practice in Health and Social Care in 2016. I have worked with adoption, fostering and special guardianship teams across the North, specialising in preparing and supporting carers to provide loving homes for children who have experienced abuse, trauma and instability in their early lives. I draw from several approaches in my therapeutic practice and keep DDP principles at the core of my work. I am currently supervised for my DDP practicum and co-facilitate the North East DDP Special Interest Group. I am also a qualified Children’s Yoga and Mindfulness instructor, Forest Schools Leader and Gentle Sleep Consultant.

I lecture on BA and MA programmes at Teesside University and conduct research that supports inclusive practice. I am passionate about promoting equality and have a particular interest in supporting trans and non-binary carers and young people, having conducted my recent PhD research in this area.

Interests: The thing I like doing most is eating ice cream, even if it's -5 out!