I am a qualified teacher of adults and children, learning coach (International Coaching Academy) and play facilitator (Play Team Association). After 20 years exploring my own creative potential through the expressive arts (African drumming, voice, clowning, dance, traditional/sacred arts), and teaching adults and children, I gained an MA and PhD (Language and Learning in Groups). I trained in Philosophy for Children (P4C) in 1996 and in 2004 I gained a Diploma from the School of Emotional Literacy, specialising in using expressive arts with Asperger’s Syndrome. I have used expressive arts for health, working in clown care with dementia, and for 15 years with the Cancer Care Centre, Bristol, using dance, voice and rhythm. Since 2006 I have been a Child-Directed Play trainer for The Play Team Association, and am now working with colleagues on the development of their training programme: continuing professional development, modules for other professional training schemes and the Learning Support Programme in schools for children with additional learning needs.

I am also researching into ways of providing learning support in school, using Child-directed play, Creative Journal, developing training links to other child directed learning approaches – such as the Reggio Emilia approach, P4C Community of Enquiry and Mantle of the Expert. I run one day workshops using Creative Journal, Non Directive Expressive Arts and Child Directed Play, with a focus on how to work with children, health and the elderly.  I am accredited coach and facilitator in CJEA Creative Journal  Expressive Arts, originated by Lucia Capacchione PhD, in Cambria, CA, the well-known author, therapist and teacher.

In 2011 I trained as a Vision® Coach with Lucia Capacchione Phd, in order to develop the essential optimistic Self within my clients, through which they could find new positive motivation to make changes to their lifes.  This works well with parents, artists, entrepreneurs, groups needing to re-vision their purpose and work, and all who need to renew their career, health or relationship options.