How did you develop an interest in these areas?

I have worked with young people for many years in schools and colleges, both mainstream and SEN. I connect well with young people creating a space where they feel respected and heard. I have experience of LGBTQ+ with clients and in my own family and friends. I particularly enjoy working with transgender young people.

Having had a traumatic childhood and not receiving the support I needed then, I wanted to be able to give that support to young people now. I believe if I had someone who was there for me and who I could trust, my life would have been very different. I have worked with a charity supporting female survivors of abuse for 12 years, facilitating the weekly core group sessions. Transgender among young people is of a particular interest having 2 young people in my life who experience this along with clients. Having a space to be totally accepted feels important.

My overall approach is one of absolute collaboration with my clients. I would like them to feel they get as much out of a session as I would like to be providing and that they have autonomy over how their sessions run.