Ellen is an integrative psychotherapist specialising in trauma, anxiety, suicidal ideation & self–harm with children, young people and adults. She uses a range of therapeutic interventions including: creative arts; walking therapy; outdoor and indoor play based therapies.

She has been a lecturer with Matrix College of Counselling & Psychotherapy for Middlesex University. She is a co-founder and director of Verbatim and is a specialist Therapeutic Tutor.

Her past roles include the Fakenham SEND Cluster Manager (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) For ten years, Ellen was part of the Norfolk Children’s’ Education Psychology and Specialist Support services as an Advisory Support Teacher. She was a member of Norfolk’s Critical Incident Team. Prior to this, Ellen taught in both mainstream and specialist schools in England, Europe and the USA. Ellen is a Consultant for Love Dyslexia and E-Voice in Cambridge offering assessments, training and work place mentoring.

Education:
BSc (Hons) Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy,
BA (Hons) Ed. (QTS)
Diploma in Special Educational Needs & Disabilities
Post Grad Cert Solution Focused Therapy.
Post Grad Cert in Literacy Difficulties
Post Grad Cert in Behavioural difficulties (Children)
Post Grad Cert in Dyscalculia
Currently completing her MEd in Education.

Professional membership and organisations:
Practitioner & Specialist Teacher of Dyslexia (British Dyslexia Association: cert 5003)
Practitioner Clinical Hypnotherapy AACH (American Association of Clinical Hypnotherapy)
Senior Associate for the Royal Society of Medicine – no: 00716995
United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

Jim is a qualified Integrative Psychotherapist and a member of the British Psychological Society. He also holds a Master Practitioner of Clinical Hypnotherapy qualification. Jim has an MSc in Child Forensic Studies (Psychology & Law) and has a special interest in aggression, disruptive and sexualised behavior in young people and adolescents.

He enjoys working with creative arts therapies. Jim has held positions as a senior lecturer in two UK Universities and continues to lecture through the UK and Europe.

Education:
MSc Child Forensic Studies (Psychology & Law) Portsmouth University
BSc (Hons) Middlesex University Integrative Counselling (BACP)
BA Theatre Studies Manchester University Rose Bruford College.
Post Grad in Forensic Psychotherapy NHS Tavistock & Portman Clinic London
Post Grad in Clinical Supervision Matrix College of Counselling & Psychotherapy.
Post-Grad Foundation in Art Therapy Eastern Tree Training Institute.
Master Practitioner in Hypnotherapy American Association of Hypnotherapists
Post Graduate Certificate in Applied Psychology Aberdeen University
Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist with the Anglo European College of Therapeutic Hypnosis

Memberships:
Senior Member of the Royal Society of Medicine
Member of the International Association of Forensic Psychotherapists
MBACP
GMBPsS

Sarah qualified as a primary school teacher 24 years ago and has experience teaching across Early years and KS1 within small rural schools. She led a small rural primary school for the last 10 years and during that time she supported children with a variety of SEND and life experiences. She strongly believes that every child deserves to be given the opportunities to flourish no matter ability or background.

Sarah joined our team, as a teacher, as she wanted to be able to support those children who found mainstream schooling hard due to their mental health and past life experiences.

Sarah also leads our Alternative Provision which aims to help every child overcome their difficulties, regain, or develop a sense of worth, self-control and develop the skills and competence to maintain relationships and access education in an appropriate setting.

Qualifications:
BA Hons Theology
Qualified Teaching Status (QTS)
Mental Health First Aid (children)
Designated Safeguarding Lead Training
Level 3 First Aid at Work
Lego Based Therapy Facilitator
TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism 2023

Alis is a qualified teacher with over 30 years of experience of teaching in the early years and primary sector. She trained at Froebel College which is part of The Roehampton Institute, affiliated to the University of Surrey.

She studied for a BEd Hons degree, specialising in English, Music and RE and working within the first years of schooling age range (3-9 years) . She has taught from Nursery to Year 3 in London, Hertfordshire and Norfolk. She held the post of SENCO for 6 years in her previous setting and attended regular SEND training and moderation.

Alis is a mother of three children, one of whom has a genetic deletion condition. Her personal experience of special needs based around her daughter’s diagnosis, forged an interest in SEND and led to a variety of training opportunities linked to speech and language, dyslexia and neurodiversity amongst other areas.

She joins us as an education consultant, working with local schools to support, advise and train in SEND and curriculum. She has a particular passion for the early years and the role of play, speech and language, outdoor learning and well being.

Alis is Elklan trained which means she has passed an accredited course for the delivery of speech, language and communication support programmes.

Qualifications:
BEd Hons (FYS)
Elklan Accreditation
Paediatric First Aid

Kathleen is a Drama & Movement Therapist (Arts Psychotherapist) trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London. She has experience working with people of all ages, both face-to-face & online and has worked in settings including mainstream and SEN Schools, CAMHS, NHS Specialist Day Centres and Charities.

She has additional training/ continued professional development in the following areas: GDPR, Dramatherapy Online, LGBTQ+ Awareness, Menopause and Trauma, Sexualised Trauma, Understanding Birth Trauma and Walk & Talk Therapy.

She is passionate about collaboration and the Arts Psychotherapies and has co-authored a chapter for the book publication Dramatherapy: The Nature of Interruption. She has also co-created and co-facilitated training for newly qualified creative therapists.

Kathleen also designed, and manages our website.

Education:
BA Hons Drama
MA Drama & Movement Therapy
CPD Walk & Talk Therapy
TQUK Level 2 Cert in Digital Marketing

Professional Membership and Organisations:
Health and Care Professions Council, Registered no. AS16656
BADth Registered Member

Since gaining her undergraduate degree, Arriarne has had a number of roles centred around providing care, support and education to children and families. Working as an admin assistant in the child protection unit at Thames Valley Police sparked a desire to work with children to make a positive impact in their lives. Following this she worked in a housing department in the local government for three years before qualifying as a primary school teacher 14 years ago.

Arriarne has taught early years to year 6 in both small rural schools and large city schools and intrinsically believes in the power of education. Recognising there is not a one size fits all she is able to adapt her practise to support all children in a holistic manner ensuring success for all.

Arriarne has enjoyed several voluntary roles including child protection and CCTV at Thames Valley Police, supporting families for the charity Home Start and currently as a school governor.

Qualifications:

BA (Hons) Music Industry Management PGCE in Primary Education (QTS) with 60 postgraduate credits- Reflective Practitioner
PGDip Professional Studies in Education
MSc Psychology
TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language)
Forest School level 1 - currently working towards Level 3
Paediatric first aid

Rachel is a qualified primary school teacher and has worked within education for 17 years. She has also been a SENDCo for 15 years across a small primary school and a federation of small schools as well as leading a small rural school for 5 years. Rachel has helped to support children with a variety of needs and learning styles over her career so far, along with supporting families to obtain the support they need for their children. She firmly believes that every child matters and should be able to flourish regardless of their needs or abilities.

Rachel is a mother of two active boys, one whom has complex needs including autism. This personal experience along with her professional expertise has given her an invaluable amount of experience and knowledge of SEND which she is very passionate about.

Currently, Rachel is studying and training to become a play therapist as she wholeheartedly believes that children can support and make sense of their emotions, feelings, behaviours, trauma and events through play.

Qualifications:
BEd (Hons) Primary Education (QTS)
National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCO)
Diploma in Trauma and Mental Health Informed Schools- Practitioner Status
Currently studying Post Grad Diploma in Play Therapy
Designated Safeguarding Lead Training
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills

Membership:
Play Therapy UK (PTUK)
Professional Standard Authority

Jo has 30 years experience in Health, Social Care and Education.

Jo has worked in support roles and therapeutically with children, adolescents and adults with SEMH and SEND needs. She has also been involved in planning services in Social Care and consulting with people who use services, supporting them to have a voice.

She has worked in a number of settings including supported housing, day services, psychology services and schools.

Jo began working with children and young people over 25 years ago in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team in Birmingham. She worked with schools and day services in an advisory role, and therapeutically with children and their families. Jo is passionate about the resilience of young people, and supporting them to thrive and reach their full potential through providing a nurturing, supportive environment.

Jo has worked in education for the past 12 years with children from Early Years through to Year 6 in a rural Primary School. She has supported children with SEMH and SEND needs as well as providing general classroom support and delivering ‘Outdoor Learning’ sessions in Early Years where she loved observing children thrive in an alternative learning setting.

Qualifications:
BSc (Hons) Pyschology
Post Graduate Certificate – Managing in Health and Social Care
Certificate in Community Care Contracting

Bethan is passionate about self -expression through creativity and provide a safe space, without judgement, where clients can give form to experiences and feelings that may be hard to communicate or buried within.

The creative process can open a window to our inner world, which can be witnessed and understood together, allowing for transformation to begin.

Art Therapy can provide a vehicle for self -discovery and help reconnect brain, body and mind.

Bethan’s practice is embedded with psychodynamic, attachment and systemic principles and a commitment to a trauma informed approach. She has worked in various settings providing both individual and group Art Psychotherapy. She also provides reflective practice and consultation to staff and teams. These include: CAMH’s Tier 4 Inpatient, Adolescent Forensic and Secure Services, SEMH Primary and Secondary Education, Community Youth Services, Adult Secure Services, Adult Learning Disability and Forensic Services, Hospice work with life limited children and their families.

Qualifications and Membership:
Bethan is a qualified and accredited Art Psychotherapist working with children, adolescents and adults.
MA Art Psychotherapy
CATT Practitioner (Children’s Accelerated Trauma Treatment).
BA Hons Textile Design

Professional Organisations:
HCPC registered
Member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT)

Jonathan is a qualified Neurological Music Therapist and his experience includes working with adults in mental health and learning disability institutions.

He specialises in young adults and children with SEBD, complex PTSD, and sufferers of physical and sexual abuse; with mothers and children within a systemic and attachment focussed approach, as well as using music to aid communication and physical development for those whose lives are changed by physical disability and autism.

Jonathan has worked in hospitals, forensic institutions, schools, children’s homes, and maintained private work with adult individuals.

Qualifications:
Music Therapy Diploma from Anglia Ruskin University, 2006.
1st Class Music Degree from University of East Anglia, 2001.

Memberships of Professional Bodies:
Health Profession Council registered.
British Association of Music Therapy member.
Academy of Neurological Music Therapy member

Shadley believes that lived experiences enrich the mind and support development.

Shadley was born in South Africa and later moved to Ireland where he studied for his BA Hons Degree in Visual Arts Practice. Here he developed and enhanced his passion for Art. He later incorporated this passion into teaching and from first-hand experience has witnessed how Art can support students to freely express themselves in whichever means they feel necessary.

After studying, Shadley moved to Asia where he taught in Thailand and Shanghai. Later, Shadley moved to Hong Kong where he obtained his IPGCE teaching qualification.

Now settled in the UK Shadley is excited to bring his vast experiences inside and outside the classroom to support the minds of young people around him. Shadley believes that young people should be given every opportunity and encouraged to achieve their goals, as nothing is impossible.

Education:
BA Hons Visual Arts Practice
IPGCE qualification

Michelle is a qualified equine assisted psychotherapist who specialises in working with young people.

Her horses enjoy spending time with her clients for some mindfulness grooming, allowing time and space to reflect and exploring thoughts and feelings in a non judgemental approach (anxiety, depression, stress). Michelle gained her level 5 diploma with LEAP Jan 2019 and has been working with clients on their wellbeing and mental health.

Her Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is on top of her psychology degree, teacher qualifications and Post Graduate Diploma in counselling children and young people. Michelle has 20 years of experience working with children and young people and a vast amount of experience working with SEN / SEMH children and young people. She has been in senior management within education and care settings and a head teacher at a complex needs school. We are delighted that Michelle can share her huge amounts of passion and experience with us here at Verbatim.

Michelle has also contributed to Stylist article on Equine Therapy, you can read it here: What is equine therapy?

Professional Memberships:
Registered LEAP Practitioner

Karen is a horticultural therapist, trained and accredited by Thrive. Horticultural therapy uses gardening to improve the health and wellbeing of the child as well as helping them to learn new skills.

She has been developing her therapeutic practice since 2011 and has worked with young people, aged between 7 and 18 years old, with a range of needs including SEMH and ASD, both as 1:1 and in small nurture groups.

In her practice, Karen blends horticultural therapy with cookery, photography and ceramic work. She specialises in helping young people build confidence and self esteem through learning new skills and engaging with the natural world. She also encourages social inclusion and provides a supportive environment to allow young people to practise social skills.

She joined the Verbatim team in 2022, where she has worked both within our Forest School as well as therapeutically 1:1.

Qualifications:

NPTC Level 2 Horticulture distinction in all modules

MSc Module - Developmental Psychology

Thrive Qualifications:

Intermediate course - Using Social and Therapeutic Horticulture to benefit children with SEND.

Foundation course - Step into Therapeutic Horticulture

Dr Zeinab Iqbal is Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with clinical expertise to diagnose and treat children and adolescents suffering from a range of emotional and mental health difficulties. She has worked in NHS and private setting for the past 18 years in variety of different clinical setting including CAMHS, inpatient children’s hospitals as well as private clinics.

She works collaborating with families and sees parents as an important resource to help and support their child suffering from emotional difficulties and problems.

Her areas of expertise include Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, low mood and self harming issues, psychosis, Eating disorder and Tourette’s Syndrome. She has also worked with looked after children struggling with Disruptive Attachment patterns, foster parents and children struggling with childhood trauma.

Dr Iqbal uses a range of therapeutic approaches in her treatment approach including CBT , Systemic therapy , motivational approach as well as medication if needed.