I am an integrative counsellor based in Limavady working with both adolescents and adults. I draw from different theories of counselling and can work creatively, as this allows me to tailor the therapy to best meet the needs of my clients.
I have a lot of experience working with a wide range of issues with adults and adolescents both through Youthlife and in my private practice.
I aim to build a therapeutic relationship based on safety & trust and to provide a safe space for you to work through your issues in a non-judgemental and confidential environment. I will work with the you to achieve your full potential.
I believe it is important to have self-awareness about our thinking and feelings and with this awareness we can start to create the change needed to live a freer and fuller life.
Participants will participate in a fun, practical and gentle approach through shared-experiences with our family of donkeys in a safe and nurturing environment. The course will promote confidence, self-esteem and develop positive well-being whilst encouraging team-working building relationships with each other and the animals. Also, the programme will encourage the participants to connect with each other, build upon their social and emotional skills whilst making friends along the way.
Activities will include caring for and looking after the donkeys, brushing and spending time with them and taking part in activities in the great outdoors with the donkeys as the central learning tool. Also, the participants will take part in a food hunt around the farm determining what’s good for the donkeys to eat and collectively bring the selection of plants together to make a colourful collage which they can take home and cherish.
The programme will conclude with a celebration activity by gathering around the camp fire, toasting marshmallows. *Please bring with you a snack and a drink, wellie boots, rain coat and wrap up warm in case the weather is changeable.
*Priority will be given to participants who have not engaged in this programme previously.
When: Fridays 4.30-6.30pm 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th September 4th & 11th October
Where: Learning in harmony with donkeys, Saintfield.
How do I sign up? CLICK HERE to fill in the registration form.
Tessa and Family Routes are excited to announce a series of workshops specifically for Parents of adoptive children and teens. Please fill in the form below to sign up.
Understanding Children’s Behaviour – 3 Available dates, participants need attend one date. This is a three-hour interactive workshop which aims to create a greater understanding of children’s behaviour in line with the most up to date research in Neuroscience and child development.
It will allow parents/carers to:
Feel more confident in their parenting style, reducing parental anxiety.
See their child’s behaviour in a whole new light.
Find practical and realistic ways to make long term positive changes to family life.
Make connections between early life experiences and current behavioural difficulties.
What is the Love and Rage Parenting Course? Why are so many adopted children verbally or physically aggressive? What are they communicating through their behaviour? What is the impact of living with a traumatised child? How do we stay calm in the face of our children’s overwhelmed and overwhelming emotions?
Love and Rage is a four-week programme offered by TESSA/Family Routes for parents of adopted children to explore these frequently asked questions. This course is aimed at parents of children who are struggling to handle and process their big emotions such as rage and anger.
IN PERSON COURSE Dates: Monday 23rd and 30th September, 7th and 14th October 2024 Venue: Family Routes Office, Unit 2, 18 Heron Road, BT3 9LE Time: 10am – 1pm
ONLINE COURSE Dates: Wednesday 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th November, 4th and 11th December Venue: Online Time: 6.30-8.30pm
How do I sign up? Scan the QR code or CLICK HERE to fill in the registration form.
Places are limited so please complete the booking form soon and we’ll be in touch to confirm your place.
TESSA and Family Routes are excited to announce Working Things Out Programme in collaboration with Holywood Family Trust and Parent Plus. Aimed at helping parents support their TEENS in developing skills and techniques to boost their emotional health and wellbeing
The Working Things Out programme aims to help parents build communication and conflict resolution skills with their TEENS. The sessions are designed around a DVD containing personal stories of adolescents who have coped with challenging mental health issues such as, Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, OCD, Self-harm and Suicide, as well as issues such as, Bullying, School Pressures, and Conflict with Parents.
These stories offer opportunities for parents to work through ways to support their TEENS in facing some of these challenges.
This course would be particularly beneficial for anyone whose TEEN participated in the programme aimed at young people however it is open to all parents of adoptive teens.
Topics include: · Improving family relationships. · Stop and Think – The key to solving problems. · Listening, talking and resolving conflicts. · Managing feeling down- Things I can do to help myself. · Taking Charge – Developing helpful thinking strategies. · Keeping Your Cool – Dealing with anger and conflict. · Communicating Well – For building positive relationships.
The course will be tailored to the group so may not cover all topics.
Dates: Tuesdays January 14th, 21st, 28th, February 4th, 11th, 25th, 25th and March 4th Time: 7.00-8.30pm Venue: Holywood Youth Centre, BT18 9HW
How do I sign up? Scan the QR code or click here to fill in the registration form.
Following registration, we will be in touch to confirm your place as places are limited.
TESSA and Family Routes are excited to announce a Family Wellbeing event being hosted at the SHARE Centre in Enniskillen. This is open to all families who have adopted child(ren) living in Northern Ireland. It will be a lovely opportunity to connect with other families, chat about TESSA services and enjoy a fun day out before the return to school.
Who can come along? This event is open to all families with at least one adopted child. Activities are suitable for those aged 8+.
The venue has a range of activities available for parents and younger siblings including Mindfulness sessions provided by TESSA, indoor swimming sessions (at own cost) and lovely outdoor settings for picnics and play.
What can you do?
2 hour water based activities: Stand up paddle boarding and Canoeing 11am – 1pm
2 hour land based activities: Archery and Climbing 2pm – 4pm
Mindfulness drop in sessions in the afternoon
Enjoy the lovely surroundings to have a packed lunch or avail of a hot meal in the on site café.
All wet gear and safety equipment will be provided.
When? Saturday 17th August 10.45am – 4.00pm
Where? SHARE Centre, 221 Lisnaskea Road, Enniskillen BT92 0JZ
How do I sign up? Scan the QR code or click here to fill in the registration form. Following registration, we will be in touch to confirm your place as places are limited.
TESSA and Family Routes are excited to celebrate the work of the TESSA teens Project, sharing experiences from the past 2 years and celebrating together as a group of Teens and families.
Who can come along? This event is for anyone with Teens who have benefitted from either 1-1 therapeutic work with TESSA or been a part of our Teen Emotional Health and Wellbeing groups (EFL, Photography, Art, Music, Drumming, Climbing). Also if you were unable to access these services or are new to TESSA but have teens and are keen to hear about the project please sign up.
Younger siblings are welcome along, Moira Lakes activities are suitable for those aged 5 and over while everyone can avail of the Donkey and Art activities as well as pizza party and treasure hunt.
What can you do?
Enjoy the activities on offer from Moira Lakes- Stand Up Paddle boarding, Archery, and Swimming. (All wet gear will be provided)
Access therapeutic options from TESSA therapists and Facilitators – EFL(Learning in Harmony with Donkeys) and Art Therapy
Explore the treasure hunt around the Lake
Enjoy some Pizza
Hear about the project and give their own feedback which will help shape the support provided by TESSA in the future
Connect with other families with shared experiences
When? Saturday 7th Sept 11am-3pm
Where? @ Moira Lakes, 32b Old Church Lane, Aghalee, Craigavon BT67 0EY
How do I sign up? Scan the QR code or CLICK HERE to fill in the registration form.
Following registration, we will be in touch to confirm your place as places are limited.
TESSA and Family Routes are excited to announce Working Things Out Programme in collaboration with Holywood Family Trust and Parent Plus. Aimed at helping young people focus on developing skills and techinques to boost their emotional health and wellbeing.
The Working Things Out programme aims to help young people build communication and conflict resolution skills in order to overcome mental health problems and to improve their relationships within their families, in school and in the community. The programme sessions are designed around a DVD containing personal stories of adolescents who have coped with challenging mental health issues such as, Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, OCD, Self-harm and Suicide, as well as issues such as, Bullying, School Pressures, and Conflict with Parents. The stories offer advice on how to cope and what young people can do to help themselves.
Topics include: · Getting Along with parents /carers – Improving family relationships. · Stop and Think – The key to solving problems. · Listening, talking and resolving conflicts. · Managing feeling down- Things I can do to help myself. · Taking Charge – Developing helpful thinking strategies. · Keeping Your Cool – Dealing with anger and conflict. · Communicating Well – For building positive relationships.
The course will be tailored to the group so may not cover all topics.
Working Things Out – Teen Programme
Dates: Tue 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd October, 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th November 2024 Venue: Holywood Youth Centre, BT18 9HW
How do I sign up? Scan the QR code or CLICK HERE to fill in the registration form.
