Tessa, Author at TESSA

17th October 20234th February 2025

Melissa McCracken

TESSA Therapist

Location
Antrim/Ballymena area

I am registered/accredited with:
I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and a full member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT).

Code of ethics observed:
My work is underpinned by the fundamental principles, standards and guidelines for good practice as detailed in:

· HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics

· HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Arts Therapists

· BAAT Code of Ethics and supporting Principles of Professional Practice and Guidelines.

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW Hons) Queen’s University Belfast (Graduated 2015)

Masters of Art Psychotherapy (MSc) Ulster University (Graduated 2022)

Special interest/experience
Owing to my background in Social Work and experience of working with children and young people who have experienced the care system, my areas of specific interest include adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), attachment ruptures and cumulative/complex trauma. Within my practice, I apply principles rooted in neuroscience to aid the healing process through sensory and somatic intervention approaches. I am able to offer sessions tailored to children and young people who have been adopted or who are currently in out-of-home care (kinship/foster care/residential placements).

Additional information:
Art therapy is the process of making art with the guidance and support of a professional art therapist. It is a form of psychotherapy in which the art is the main mode of communication, giving the client an alternative means of expression.

Through art therapy clients are able to explore their inner world, express and interpret their thoughts, feelings and emotions, develop greater self-awareness and gain tools to enable them to better cope with stress and anxiety.

Art Therapy can provide assistance and support to individuals facing a range of difficulties, disabilities, and conditions. These include emotional and behavioural issues, mental health concerns, learning and physical disabilities, life-limiting and neurological conditions, as well as physical illnesses.

Some issues that can be worked through in Art Therapy include; Anxiety, Bullying, Relationship difficulties (family/peers), Identity, Self-esteem, Pain-based/Self-harming behaviours, Stress, Suicidal thoughts, Transitions (primary to post-primary/youth to adult) and Traumatic experiences. For many clients the art process is simply helpful for soothing and self-regulating.

In my art therapy sessions, I strive to create a warm and confidential environment where clients can feel safe and nurtured. It’s a space where the client can freely explore a wide variety of art materials and express their emotions, whether through words or non-verbal means. My approach is centred around the client, taking into account their unique needs and preferences.

I work with clients of all ages, from children to older adults, and my therapeutic style is pluralistic and trauma-informed. Don’t worry if you don’t have any prior art experience – it’s not a requirement at all. Each art therapy session is personalised to suit the client’s individual needs, ensuring they feel comfortable and supported throughout the process.

I work with:
Although I am able to work with clients of all ages and stages, most of my work currently is with children and young people.

3rd October 20234th February 2025

Sile O’Loughlin

TESSA Therapist

I am a social worker qualifying 28 years ago. I have always worked in Family and Childcare, starting my career in residential care, moving to a LAC Looked After Child team, then progressing to therapeutic recovery work with children and young people. I have worked for Family Routes for a few years now and I am passionate about all areas of adoption. I enjoy assessing and supporting adoptive carers.

I am a mum of one teenager and together we enjoy spending time in nature, dancing, and music. We love the cinema and spending quality time with our extended family.

28th September 20234th February 2025

Michelle Rainey

TESSA Therapist

Location:
Northern Ireland, Ireland

Registered/accredited with:
Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC)
British Association Social Workers (BASW)- registered as Independent Social Worker.

Code of ethics observed:
NISCC and BASW

Qualifications and Training:

2023 Techniques for processing emotions – (The Centre for Healing)
2023 Somatic experiencing Masterclass: (The Centre for Healing)
2023 Build Bridges (Psychological Pathways- Narrative Model)
2022 Theraplay LEVEL 2 with Trauma Component
2021 Theraplay level 2 (Theraplay Institute)
2021 Group Work
2021 Diploma in Trauma Informed Psychotherapy
2021 Trauma and the Sensory (System Arizona Trauma Institute via Zoom)
2021 Introduction to Somatic Experiencing (SOSI Internationale)
2021 Complex Traumatic Childhood Losses, Mourning, acceptance, endings & Beginnings.
2021 Compassion focused Therapy
2020 Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (T.C.I)
2020 Developing Trauma Sensitive approaches to Practice
2017 Non Violence Resistance Training
2015 DDP Masterclass
2015 Dr K. Golding, Foundations for Attachments Trainer Programme
2014 Theraplay Level 1 and MIM’s Assessment Model
2014 Anger Management – (British Association of Anger Management)
2013 Narrative Training
2013 Applied Suicide Intervention Strategies Training (Antrim New Horizons)
2013 Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) Level 2
2013 Using Filial Therapy Skills to Support Permanence
2013 Helping children with unmet needs to recover – attachment
2012 Life Story Work Family Futures
2012 Trauma Triggered behaviour (BAAF)
2012 Life Story Books, Life Story Work with Children
2012 Dyadic Developmental Psycho-therapy (DDP) Level 1
2014 NIPQ Specialist Social Work Award 1-3
2009/2010 Children and Residential Experiences (CARE MODEL)
2005 Dip. SW

Special interest /experience in:
My particular areas of interest includes providing therapeutic support to children, and their care-giving networks -foster cares, parents who have adopted, and professionals working with children who have experienced developmental trauma. I have a keen interest in enhancing others knowledge in relation to therapeutic parenting; understanding and responding with curiosity and empathy, to the child’s hidden and miscued need for connection and safety.

I am also interested and experienced in supporting adults in the child’s network to have meaningful conversations with children about tough, challenging issues, and topics. I practice in a therapeutic team who has developed a Narrative Model for communicating with children about tough issues; and co-authored 2 peer reviewed articles on the Model.

Additional information:
I have been supporting children and families in NI for approximately 34 years. I commenced my journey into Social work as a Care experienced adult, and began as a volunteer in a residential unit for adolescents in 1989. I then secured a part time post as an unqualified Residential SW, and completed my Diploma in SW in 2005. Having worked as a Residential SW for 16 years I successfully secured a Senior Practitioner in Social work post, and have been supporting children who have experienced relational trauma, and their care giving networks for the last 16 years. Within the post I offer consultancy, training and direct therapeutic interventions.

My theoretical approach:
I utilise a range of trauma informed modalities including:

Attachment,
Trauma,
Neurobiology of trauma,
Child Development
Principles, and skills of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP),
Directed Play/Non Directed Play

I see: Parents, Carers, Children & professionals

17th August 20234th February 2025

Alex Mosley

TESSA Counsellor

Location
Belfast/Lisburn

I am registered/accredited with:
Registered member BACP with Certificate of Proficiency, working towards accreditation

Code of ethics observed:
BACP

Qualifications
Trauma informed Practice for Children and Young People( Level 5)
PGDip Counselling and Psychotherapy ( Level 4)
BA Hons Youth and Community work (Level 6)

Special interest/experience
Counselling for teens and therapeutic group work

Additional information
Alex Mosley brings nearly 20 years of experience of working with Teens to the Tessa programme. Initially training and working in Youth and Community work, he is also a qualified counsellor who works with children and young people that experience behavioural and emotional difficulties using an integrative counselling model. He has a creative streak and enjoys using a variety of methods to help young people at stuck points in their lives. He has experience working with adoptive children and teens in both a therapeutic, mentoring and group work capacity. Alex has also been part of the TESSA teens facilitators group, alongside Belfast Exposed in the Photography Wellbeing programme.

16th August 20234th February 2025

Action Trauma Network

16th August 20234th February 2025

Joe Copeland

Chair

Following graduating from QUB in 1980, Joe trained as an accountant with the NI Health and Personal Social Services and qualified as a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in 1984.

He has worked in numerous accounting and audit roles in the NI Health and Personal Social Services, UK central government and agencies and private companies.

He is currently employed as Director of Corporate Services/Company Secretary with Co-operation Ireland, the leading peace building charity in the island of Ireland.

Joe was elected as a Trustee and Chair of Family Routes in Spring 2022 and looks forward to the continuing contribution of Family Routes in supporting children, individuals and families through their adoption and fertility journey.

16th August 20234th February 2025

Gail Clarke

Board Member

CEO/National Secretary, GBNI since 1 February 2016.

My early career was as CEO of a Community Housing Association is North Belfast followed by 8 years as Regional Director for the National Union of Students in Belfast (during which I spent 6 months as Director of Scottish Office implementing change management).  I was Interim Director with GBNI in 2013/14 before returning at the start of 2016.

I hold an MBA and am a Fellow of ILM (by examination). I also, since 1994, sit as an employer representative at Industrial and Fair Employment Tribunals.

I have three children, Aaron 30 who is married with one son Nathan: Victoria 28 and Michael 27.  

I have a fur baby, 3yr old Newfoundland, Mylah.  I love reading, walking and current affairs.

16th August 20234th February 2025

Marian Hall

Board Member

Marian Hall has had a long career in social work in Family & Child Care within the statutory sector. This has largely been in relation to Children at Risk, Children in Care, Fostering and Adoption. She has a particular interest in Adoption and sat for many years as a member of the Adoption Panel within what was then the Eastern Health & Social Services Board.

Marian also has a long standing interest in legal matters as they relate to children. As a result, she decided to add to her Masters degree in Social Work by undertaking a law degree. She then followed that up by studying for her Bar exams in London. She was subsequently called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2007.

Marian continued with her social work career and felt that her legal qualifications added to her capacity to carry out her role and contribute on legal matters as they impacted on children. She has also used that knowledge by contributing for many years as a visiting lecturer to the QUB undergraduate course in Social Work with respect the Human Rights Act 1998.

Marian joined Family Routes as a Board member in 2018 and hopes that her qualifications and experience have assisted in helping to address the range of issues that have faced the agency since then. She looks forward to Family Routes setting up its own Adoption panel in order to try to help with finding appropriate permanent placements for children.

From a Social Work and legal perspective, Marian is also very interested in the other important functions carried out by Family Routes staff including work with individuals with fertility issues, work with children and young people who have been adopted, work with birth parents and work on the provision of historical records to adult adoptees. She looks forward to Family Routes being able to contribute to this work for many years to come. 

16th August 20234th February 2025

Rachel Johnston

Board Member

Rachel joined Family Routes as a Board member in December 2022 bringing knowledge and skills developed throughout her varied career. Rachel is qualified to Masters level, holding a Post Graduate Diploma in Systemic Practice and Family Therapy from Queen’s University. She is an accredited member of the British Association Counselling and Psychotherapy and is Vice Chair of its Healthcare Executive.

Rachel is the principal Director of a social enterprise which provides psychotherapy to GP
patients as well as mentoring and supervision to counsellors who work in the healthcare setting, in various community organisations and private practice. Prior to her counselling career, Rachel was an Area Manager in the Finance Sector for 25 years where she developed skills in leadership, communication, strategic management and people
development.

Rachel has recently retired from her 20 year role as a foster carer where she provided a safe home setting for children in the care system. She therefore has first-hand awareness of the struggles of children who have experienced major traumas as a result of neglect and abuse. This role involved the importance of fostering good relationships with birth families and adoptive parents.

Rachel is fully aligned to the mission, vision and values of Family Routes which upholds all
families, whatever their make up and route into the organisation, to ensure their voices are heard, to know their value, and to be well supported by quality services which will serve to enhance their family experience.

16th August 20234th February 2025

Gillian Williamson

Board Member

After studying in Queens University I qualified as a doctor way back in 1982. I became a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 1986 and I loved my job.

Once my own children were born I sidestepped in to fertility medicine and worked first in the Regional Fertility Centre and latterly in Belfast Fertility and in Glasgow Centre for Reproductive Medicine.

During my time working in fertility medicine I came to appreciate the immense value of counselling services provided by the team at Family Routes and when, after retiring from practice in 2022 I was asked to join the board, I felt honoured. I hope that I will be able to bring to the table the perspective of the couple on their fertility journey.