MAHROO NIROOMAND
Therapeutic supervision Level 6, MSc in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents, Advanced Diploma in Counselling (integrative), Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy level 3, AVCE Health and Social Care.
I work with individuals and as a group facilitator and I offer drop-in, short term and long term sessions. I have been a therapist in educational settings and counselling services since 2009, both in the private and special needs sectors. My experience includes working as a psychiatric student nurse, as a counsellor and psychotherapist with the Local Authorities, in the private and special needs sectors and with charity organisations.
I have promoted the mental health services by engaging in classroom activities and by equipping teachers with information on mental health. My continued professional development and further studies have enabled me to progress into working as a counselling manager and supervisor at Place2Be, where I manage counsellors and offer holistic and integrative support to students, staff and the community.
I feel passionate about working with young people and adults, particularly students, as I appreciate the challenges one can face whilst studying and working towards a future career. I believe that having a safe space within the educational setting helps students to gain a positive experience and therefore a positive attitude towards their learning, and tackle obstacles that may be discouraging them from reaching their full potential. Alongside education-related presenting problems, I have also worked with a variety of other presenting problems that might impact on one's personal and educational achievements (e.g. depression, self-harm, family difficulties, relationship issues and eating disorders). I try to help my clients to focus on finding better coping strategies to enable them to better manage their day-to-day activities and life choices.
I work closely with other agencies such as CAMHS and Social Services, whilst ensuring and maintaining confidentiality and sharing information when necessary to ensure the best action plan for the client.
Other languages:
Persian, Farsi and French
Professional Memberships:
I am a BACP accredited counsellor/psychotherapist and supervisor.
MARTA KRAJEWESKA
BA (Hons) in Applied Psychology, Lodz University, Poland; MSc in Psychology with specialisations in Health and Forensic Psychology, Lodz University; Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching Students with Specific Learning Difficulties, East Berkshire College; Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy for Children and Young People, University College London and the Anna Freud Centre.
I have over twelve years’ experience working as an Educator, Psychologist and Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist qualified to work with children (aged 8+), teenagers and adults. I am a committed and motivated professional who believes in early intervention, which is why I chose to work with and help children and young people.
Through my experience of working with adults, teenagers and older children, I’ve learnt that the best results reached by clients are when they feel safe, listened to, understood and free to explore different routes to attain positive modifications in their lives at their own pace. My aim is to help people develop understanding and awareness of their negative interpretations, and of the behavioural patterns that strengthen distorted thinking. My practice is focussed on creating a safe, friendly, professional and personal environment in which my approach is adapted to the individual needs of the client, using cognitive behavioural psychotherapy. During the therapeutic journey, I am helping the client to evolve alternative, more positive and balanced ways of thinking and behaving aimed at decreasing their psychological distress.
I am a registered member of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) and adhere to the professional codes of ethics of this professional body.
I undertake Continual Professional Development and am responsibly supervised.
I enjoy travelling, reading, going to the theatre and spending time with my family and friends.
Other languages:
Polish and some Italian and Russian.
Professional memberships:
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
POPPY STEVENS
I have extensive experience of working with children and young people with a variety of complex needs in schools as well as in the NHS and in other more challenging environments, such as the Youth Offending Service.
My approach is open and flexible, with the aim of responding to the individual needs of each young person. I incorporate a broad range of client-centred approaches within my work, with the aim of creating a safe, non-judgmental and confidential space. Within my work I recognise the potential for unconscious conflicts and how these, alongside our personal histories, can affect our feelings and behaviour in the present.
Alongside verbal counselling, my principle specialism is Art Therapy, a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication (no prior skill or knowledge of art making is needed to engage with art therapy). Within this context, art is a medium for addressing emotional issues that may be confusing and distressing. The wide range of materials available in therapy, such as paints, pastels, collage and toys, can enable the communication of difficult and often unconscious conflicting thoughts and feelings. This is especially useful for those who may struggle with expressing themselves verbally. Working in this open way can support individual students in exploring their emotional responses and their relationships with themselves and others.
Professional memberships:
Health and Care Profession Council
CHARLOTTE CATER-LAWRENCE
I work as a Child and Adolescent Counsellor, am Integratively trained and primarily use a Person-Centred approach. Since qualifying in 2007 I have worked with individuals in schools and other settings from many backgrounds and walks of life, including individuals diagnosed as being in the autistic spectrum and with other associated disorders. Since 2013, I have worked as a counsellor with the School Counselling Service. I see students on a one-to-one basis.
I work with the individual to establish and understand their narrative and particular needs in a way that is relevant and sensitive to their level of understanding and ability. I give them an opportunity to explore their difficulties, concerns and emotions in a confidential and safe setting. I try to adapt to the individual and to work imaginatively and creatively to encourage exploration and self-reflection, with the aim of improving the students’ ability to function well, to discern their personal aspirations for the future, and hopefully to achieve their potential.
Professional memberships:
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
ADRIANA SIMBRAC
BA Psychology and Sociology, MSc Psychoanalytic Development Psychology, MSc Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents.
Since 2008 I have worked as a counsellor for children and adolescents in different settings such as schools, inpatient units and charity organisations.
I qualified as a Psychodynamic Counsellor, and my approach is primarily child-centred. I integrate play and Cognitive Behavioural techniques into my practice. I work with individuals (on a short-term and long-term basis) to establish and understand their ‘narrative’ and particular needs in a way that is relevant and sensitive to their level of understanding and ability, and that gives them an opportunity to explore their difficulties, concerns and emotions in a confidential and safe setting. I offer a friendly, non-judgemental and confidential space for clients to express and explore their feelings and their problems.
My way of working recognizes that unconscious conflicts, as well our past and our experiences with those people who are significant in our lives, all have an important impact on how we think, feel and behave in the present. To this end, I try to adapt to the individual and I work imaginatively and creatively to encourage exploration and self-reflection. For some, especially very young students, I create opportunities in order to allow them to express themselves, such as by using art materials or play. My work within the different settings mentioned has made me aware both of the connection between 'learning' (as a state of mind enabling emotional growth and academic achievement) and the great impact on a student’s wellbeing that can be imposed by pressures during primary and secondary school years.
I am extremely passionate about my work and have enjoyed working as a counsellor and psychotherapist, particularly within the secure and protected boundaries of the formal school setting.
Professional memberships:
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Other languages:
Romanian, some Italian
VALENTINA GHARIBYAR
MSc Psychodynamic Therapy, MSc Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy
I have worked with the School Counselling Service at Paradise Farmhouse since 2011. I have provided counselling services for the NHS, for an Asian charitable organization and for a state school. My ample experience working with adults, adolescents and teenagers with special needs has been particularly rewarding as I have seen positive impacts on students’ levels of distress and dysfunctional behaviours.
My way of working recognises that our unconscious conflicts, our past and our experiences with the people who are significant in our lives, all have an important impact on how we think, feel and behave in the present. I take into consideration that the way we think affects our feelings and behaviours, and vice-versa.
During the counselling sessions, which I provide to children and young people on a short-term and long-term basis, I offer time to clarify problems that trouble them, and the opportunity, time and space to explore their inner and external world. I create a safe, non-judgemental, confidential space for clients to express and explore their feelings and their problems. I create opportunities for those who find it difficult to verbalise their concerns by making available materials such as crayons, chalk, collage, paint and other drawing implements, stones, puppets and sand trays, among other things. This helps to create a safe environment that allows the essence of the messages the child needs to communicate and to work with to be understood. Counselling can lead to an understanding of what has shaped clients the way they are, and aims to give them the choice to make decisions that are right for them so that they can have a more fulfilling life.
My varied life experience and the extensive training help me understand and make a positive contribution to the lives of children affected by psychological difficulties.
Other languages:
Dari.