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
