About Lara

I am a qualified Educational Psychologist and am passionate about supporting the needs of Children and Young people, promoting their well-being and advocating for their right to an equitable education, so they can reach their learning potential.

Early on in my career I did a number of jobs, but upon starting a family and then working at a pre-school where my youngest child attended, I became fascinated in the development of children and how some of the challenges they and their families can experience in early life affect their ongoing development.

This led to commencing a psychology degree with the Open University, before moving on to study a Masters Degree in Foundations of Clinical Psychology & Mental Health and then a professional doctorate at The Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust.

During my doctoral training, I gained a great deal of experience working with the CAMHS Family Mental Health Team, where I played a key role as a reflecting team member, feeding back to families during systemic family therapy sessions.

Through these experiences, my interest in understanding children’s underlying needs, within the context of environmental challenges, further developed and the drive to want to help them and their families, went on to inform my doctoral thesis. Since qualifying, I have continued to build my knowledge through my role with Local Authorities and specialist training.

I offer support to explore any reasons for a child or young person having a barrier to learning.

I also have a particular interest in using a trauma informed focus to support Children and Young People with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, an area of particular importance following the recent pandemic and the increasing prevalence of mental health difficulties. Following consultation and any assessment, I am then able to offer to carry out therapeutic work enhancing the  psychosocial well-being of children, young people and the adults who support them.