1 to 1 Consultation for parents, kinship and foster carers.

Parenting is like spinning plates while riding a unicycle. Family life can be stressful - and there's so much information and advice out there about what you should do and how you should parent that it's easy to get overwhelmed. I'm here to help you overcome your parenting challenges with a balanced, down to earth parenting approach that is practical and doable. We all get 'stuck' in  our parenting  sometimes,  a fresh perspective and new ideas can really help.

If you're the parent of a toddler or a teen (or anywhere in between!), I can help you to understand and support your child's development whatever age or stage they're at. 

Whether you're navigating tears and tantrums, big emotions, sibling rivalry, boundary testing or teenage 'attitude' or other parenting issues -  I've got you! 

I'll help your to understand the why behind your child's behaviour and empower you to develop skills and strategies to respond to and support them (without loosing your mind!).  

I'm a specialist in understanding and supporting children and young people experiencing social, behavioural, emotional and wellbeing needs and for over 20 years have worked with children and young people experiencing a wide range of complex issues. I provide advice, support and signposting in relation to

• navigating BIG emotions and challenging behaviours
• understanding and supporting emotional regulation 
• anger management/aggressive behaviours/tantrums/meltdowns
• friendship issues
• bullying (whether your child or young person is displaying or experiencing bullying behaviours)
• low mood, anxiety & separation issues
• low self-esteem/ self-confidence
• self harm/self injurious and risk taking behaviours

A trauma is any event that is deeply upsetting, scary, or harmful. Traumatic experiences are events or situations that threaten physical or emotional well-being,

sometimes overwhelming the ability to cope. Because many children have not developed coping skills, processing these occurrences can be challenging. 

Children can and do recover from traumatic events and experiences, and you can play an important role in their recovery. Your support can help them manage their fears, feel safe, guide them through their trauma and recover in a healthy way.

I am a trauma informed practitioner with 20+ years experience in supporting families to understand the impact of trauma on children and young people and  helping them to support recovery from traumatic events or experiences. 

Navigating parental separation can be difficult and it often has an impact on children. I can support you to ensure that your child's needs are front and centre by helping you to communicate effectively (without getting caught in the trap of BIG emotions), get on the same page (parenting wise!) and work together to ensure the best outcomes for your children.

Children and young people who have experienced trauma are often very poorly understood, they have been through adverse experiences, abuse or neglect and have a variety of needs including a mixture of trauma, attachment, mental health, neurodevelopment, educational and social needs. Grown ups who care for looked after children need to understand their often complex needs, developing a range of strategies to help a child manage their feelings and experiences.

I have provided intensive support for over 20 years to children and young people who are vulnerable and am passionate about helping parents, kinship and foster carers to understand the impact of trauma on their development and presentation as well as the complexity of their needs. 

I offer 1to 1 consultation  to empower kinship and foster parents to understand and support the child in front of them, reframing and recognising that all behaviour is communication, guiding them with a range of trauma informed and therapeutic parenting strategies to help them to respond with awareness, attunement and sensitivity. 

When you book a consultation with me you you'll receive a Welcome Email from me with details on how to access your appointment and a link to a confidential online pre-consultation form.  

Your pre-consultation form will help you to get the most out of your session.  You'll outline the issues you'd like us to focus on and  the outcomes you'd like from us working together.

We will meet online by video call, I'll contact you with details of your session and a link to join on Teams (you don't have to register or sign up - just click on the link to join!). 

You can attend by yourself, with your partner, co-parent or support person.

 That's it - there's no pressure or expectation, just turn up with a cuppa. I'll support you with curiosity and compassion and you'll be empowered to transform your family life. 

*Please note we aim to send welcome emails within within 48 hours - if we are particularly busy this might take a little longer (do check your other/junk folders), consultation will be via video call on Microsoft Teams.

We cover A LOT in Consultation - so you might want to consider adding on a personalised feedback report that summarises the key points covered, advice given, assistance provided, and potential next steps to consider. 

You can choose to add on this option when you're booking your session or can add on when your consultation has been completed.

Feedback may include an action plan or next steps, links to other websites or support services as well as information leaflets or factsheets produced by Destined for Greatness NI. This should usually arrive via the email address you've provided within a week of your session, but during busier times may take a little longer!

Does your child have SBEW needs that are causing concern, issues or difficulties at home leaving you feeling lost, overwhelmed, frustrated  and alone?

I can help you to 

• develop a deeper insight and understanding of your child's needs as well as equipping you with skills, tools and strategies that you can implement NOW to support them.
• strengthen your connection to your child and help you to move away from shouting, stress and conflict.
• support your child's emotional development and wellbeing, develop their resilience and confidence and equip them with a range of appropriate coping strategies.
• feel supported and empowered in your parenting.

Are you parenting a neurodivergent child and in need of advice and support specific to YOUR child's needs? 

Whether your child is pre or post diagnosis, this is very familiar territory for me - I have over 20 years experience working with neurodivergent children and young people and their families to navigate the 'systems' and services in  place to provide support. I'm also blessed to be the parent of a neurodivergent child (now adult), so I'm uniquely placed to understand and support you on your journey, whichever stage you're at.

I provide advice, support and signposting in relation to; 

• (pre and post diagnosis) referrals and diagnostic processes - helping you to understand and plan your journey.
• helping you to understand and support your child's needs at home
• accessing supports available within your local area
• supporting you to process your own feelings in and around your child's needs and difficulties

• Does your child have needs that are causing concern, issues or difficulties at school? 
• Have you concerns about your child's learning or are seeking advice and support around how to access additional help for them at school? 
• Are you struggling to navigate Special Educational Needs assessment and Statementing procedures or processes?
• Does your child struggle to attend school due to Anxiety/Emotionally Based School Avoidance, experience after school restraint collapse or another school based issue?
• Are you concerned that your child is on a reduced timetable, or is being excluded from school or have home school relationships broken down?
• Do you need help to advocate for your child?

I can help!

Helping you to have your say and communicate your views, needs and wishes and to access appropriate services and supports.

As your advocate I can 

• listen to your views and concerns
• offer you independent, impartial support. - helping  you to explore your options and make informed decisions
• help you contact relevant people, services or supports, or contact them on your behalf
• accompany you and support you in meetings or appointments. helping you talk to professionals about what you want. 
• help you to make referrals and signpost you to additional services and supports. 
• -help you to access and understand appropriate information and services. 
• -support you to make a complaint.

 To use this service, simply schedule an initial consultation to discuss your individual needs and circumstances and plan the way forward. Following this session, I’ll provide you with an individual action plan, breakdown of costs and payment options.

A 1 to 1 consultation with me is a safe, relaxed and confidential space for you to share your concerns and find ways to move forward. I'll help you to focus on you and your child's strengths and to develop skills and strategies to take your parenting to the next level. I'm here to give you expert advice and support that's free from blame, shame or judgement and tailored to the needs of YOUR child and YOUR family! 

By the end of your consultation you’ll have a  personalised plan of strategies and supports and will be clear and confident about your next steps and how to move forward. 

You can book a one off session or a number of sessions  and have the option to add  on a personalised feedback report/action plan that summarises the key points covered, advice given, assistance provided, and potential next steps to consider - we cover a LOT in each session!

When you book a consultation with me you you'll receive a Welcome Email from me with details on how to access your appointment and a link to a confidential online pre-consultation form.  

Your pre-consultation form will help you to get the most out of your session.  You'll outline the issues you'd like us to focus on and  the outcomes you'd like from us working together.

We will meet online by video call, I'll contact you with details of your session and a link to join on Teams (you don't have to register or sign up - just click on the link to join!). 

You can attend by yourself, with your partner, co-parent or support person.

 That's it - there's no pressure or expectation, just turn up with a cuppa. I'll support you with curiosity and compassion and you'll be empowered to transform your family life. 

*Please note we aim to send welcome emails within within 48 hours - if we are particularly busy this might take a little longer (do check your other/junk folders), consultation will be via video call on Microsoft Teams.

We cover A LOT in Consultation - so you might want to consider adding on a personalised feedback report that summarises the key points covered, advice given, assistance provided, and potential next steps to consider. 

You can choose to add on this option when you're booking your session or can add on when your consultation has been completed. Just visit the link on our website!

Feedback may include an action plan or next steps, links to other websites or support services as well as information leaflets or factsheets produced by Destined for Greatness NI. This should usually arrive via the email address you've provided within a week of your session, but during busier times may take a little longer!