Hello,

My name is Hazel. I am 40 yrs old from bonnie Scotland. I am a qualified Primary School teacher with 14 years experience across mainstream & ASN school communities. I also have a Masters degree in Psychology & several counselling skills qualifications (COSCA certified). Additionally to this, I have also worked as a telephone counsellor for Childline Scotland some years ago.

I have recently just returned to the UK, having spent some time teaching overseas in a Waldorf-inspired School in Costa Rica, under the glorious sunshine and walking barefoot in the Jungle.

But now, based back in the UK, I am beginning a new chapter of self employment; gathering together all my skills, knowledge & passion for supporting and connecting with children & young people. Promoting positive mental health & wellbeing in the youth population and creating a safe environment to listen to each other & to offer emotional support is my main ambition.

Over my teaching career, I have always been a huge advocate for children's mental health & I am passionate about creating a calm, open & nurturing environment for children to share their feelings, thoughts & to connect with others. In this day and age, I believe it’s so important that we prioritize the wellbeing of children and begin now to take the necessary steps in building their resilience & skillset so that they can regulate their emotions in a positive way ultimately for a healthier & happier adulthood.

This online space can serve as a place for children to talk, share and express their emotions or anything that may be on their minds - it doesn’t need to get too heavy or intense. My groups will be child-centred and will evolve organically into what they need to be depending on the ages and nature of the children within the group. The groups will have a relaxed & friendly vibe, ensuring nobody feels under pressure or put on the spot. We will take time to get to know each other, through bonding games & child-friendly techniques.

I want to create a little community of friends who will embark on a journey together. It will be a safe space to listen, share anxieties & even make some new friends along the way. Gently leading these sessions, I will be offering emotional support where needed and in turn, supporting their emotional development and building resilience moving forward.

Full Disclaimer:

I am not advertising myself as a therapist. It's important that I make that clear. I am a qualified teacher with many years experience with working with children & young people of all ages, from all walks of life. I have a significant amount of experience working with children with Autism with various sensory needs and with children who experience high levels of anxiety & emotional stress in their lives. My approach has always been very nurturing in style with a passion for supporting emotional development. I have also spent some time in Africa, working for a charity that supported abandoned & homeless children, which naturally involved a huge amount of nurturing & emotional support.