William Martin CofE Primary School is very fortunate to have our own on site School Counsellor and Psychotherapist, supported by a therapeutic and pastoral team.
Hello my name is Catherine Kiff.
I am the school counsellor for William Martin. As the school counsellor I offer a safe and confidential space where I will listen, non-judgmentally, and help children to begin to understand their feelings and thoughts.
As an integrative arts psychotherapist and counsellor I work through the use of the arts and play. Through this way of working it helps provide emotional support when children, young people and adults are faced with experiences in life that they are finding difficult to cope with. Using the arts such as painting, clay, puppets sand tray, music and drama can help people to communicate their feelings and express their thoughts which they find difficult to talk about.
Expression through use of the arts provides an alternative but important opportunity to understand a person’s emotional life and their ways of relating to other people. Unlike art activities art work produced in therapy is not intended as an end product and it does not have to be aesthetically pleasing. Using the arts in a therapeutic contest is a means to self-discovery by being curious about what is created. The arts act a vehicle for understanding growth and facilitating change. There is not expectation to be good at art or have any previous experience of working in this way.
In addition to my work at William Martin’, I have a private practice an d work across the public, private and voluntary sectors and in research, within the field of mental health.
Qualifications and Registrations:
I am qualified to Masters Level with specialist qualifications in adults, adolescents and children. I also have additional training in bereavement, loss, trauma, PTSD, art therapy and creative play therapy.
As a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist I am a registered member of the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), the UK Council for psychotherapists (UKCP). The British Association for Counselling and psychotherapy (BACP) and the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT).
I have an enhanced DBS check and level 3 safeguarding.
My job involves lots of early help and advice, providing mentoring for those children that are experiencing overwhelming feelings or experiences and ‘therapy’ for those children that may need a little extra support.
I am also involved in anger management training, anxiety workshops for children, building self esteem, friendship/ social groups and bereavement support.
Qualifications and Registrations:
I have completed my ‘counselling skills with children using the arts’ certificate, conducted by Margot Sunderland (Margot is a British child psychologist and psychotherapist and a Director of Education and Training at the Centre for Child Mental Health)
I am also qualified in a ‘foundation in counselling’ skills, learning through play, NVQ 3 early years bereavement training and many more courses over the years that complement my role.
My biggest passion, that I am constantly updating my skills in, is ‘child mental health’ , ‘mental health first aider’ and ‘trauma informed training’.
I also have an enhanced DBS check and am Deputy Designated Lead for Child Protection.
Hi my name is Bonnie Bowering,
I have worked at the William Martin CofE Schools for 7 years.
I am the school’s Pastoral Manager. I am also head of Young Carers for our children.
My job involves lots of early help and advice, providing mentoring for those children that are experiencing overwhelming feelings or experiences and support with anxiety, self-esteem, friendship groups, social groups, bereavement support or anger management for those children that may need a little extra help.
Qualifications and Registrations:
I have many years of experience and have qualified as a drawing and talking therapist.
I have completed bereavement training, Youth Mental Health First Aid and many more courses over the years that complement my role.
I am proud to announce that our school has recently received the Bronze award for the Support for Young Carers in schools.
I also have an enhanced DBS check and am Deputy Designated Lead for Child Protection.
Early Dental Health is really important for young children.
Please find below advice on keeping your children’s teeth healthy!
About Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service (ECFWS)
ECFWS is delivered by Virgin Care Limited in partnership with Barnardo’s, to deliver children and family services across Essex, including local children’s community health provision. Services are commissioned by Essex County Council and West Essex CCG, and work closely with partners within education to change outcomes for children and young people.
We are pleased to share with you their Weekly Bulletins, an interactive resource aimed to support schools and families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Each bulletin contains activities to support the wellbeing of our school community in line with our PSHE programme, resources for your information, relevant service updates and up to date contact information.
Online and Telephone Support:
NHS 111 Mental Health Crisis Phone Line
Young Minds
Childline
The Mix
Samaritans
YCT
Family learning Spring Term
February 23rd: Make a Storysack Theatre
March 2nd: Making Games and a Diary
March 9th: Ready for the Return to School
March 16th: Managing Children’s Anxiety
March 23rd: Easter Fun
To book go to: Booking info for feb 2021 craft sessions
Family Learning Autumn Term
November:
Family English for EAL Workshop
October:
Study skills parents and children
How to talk so your children – listen Workshop
How to manage anxieties as a Parent Workshop
