Vanessa McHardy
Bio
Description
My training was integrative which means we explored a lot of different theory models with a basis of psychoanalysis, neuroscience, attachment, transactional analysis, gestalt. This was an arts based training using all the arts music, movement, drama, poetry, puppetry, painting to aid in expression of feelings, giving voice to and being heard being the primary premise of change. As I have worked extensively with trauma with young people and adolescents I have become an advocate for working in a way that is about autonomy, authentic, humanistic and playful, getting alongside someone, where they are at and being curious and willing to sit with big feelings have been the foundation I have found to support healing, transformation. I always work holistically and include breath and movement techniques that support the body to feel connected to and draw on the wisdom that is within.
I have worked a lot with children who have ADHD, Autism, those in foster care and adopted who have been through trauma. I have worked in specialist provisions for children who are not in mainstream schooling. In recent years working with severe anxiety. Often parents have said to me that I am the first professional that really gets them and their child, I am not judgemental and get how hard life can be.
I became very interested in reaching more young people, earlier in their life after seeing too many children say they were stupid and worthless. In my work explicitly sharing what I knew from neuroscience and life skills with children saw a collaborative style of work and they greatly appreciated having meaningful knowledge so that they could make choices from an aware place not a unconscious projecting, avoiding, demanding, controlling place. Over 9 years I have developed programmes that are taught to whole classes which a wholly inclusive and bring understanding to diversity. These became award, winning a Gold Award for Mental Health Excellence in schools by Islington Council, United Kingdom, Time to Talk initiative June 2018. This has evolved to be Life Skills for Mental Health and Wellbeing; A whole school community approach.
I then started working with families on the same material which I absolutely loved, and the magic of parents learning alongside their children was where I wanted to go next.
And became a Family Communication Programme combining the award winning 1-5 how are you feeling? scale with key lessons on building self esteem and awareness. The programme is 4 sessions with the family and a consult with parents at the beginning and at the end.
When Covid hit us I was very fortunate to have some backing from a foundation in the Uk and successfully initiated, directed and managed what became a large scale, multi regional, both primary and secondary schools in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic with a Mental Health and Therapeutic programme called the Same Sea Different Boats. Coordinated and delivering training to staff, parents and young people with overwhelming positive response. This was very rewarding work and the resources are universal in supporting crisis situations.
Personal statement:
My relational way of working (fancy way to say I am myself, warts and all, care about myself and are genuinely interested in who I am working with be that an adult or child) brings about change as the young people and adults that I work with are able to commit to life, becoming more harmonious in their relationships with themselves and others.
I teach life lessons for children, young people, adults to stay connected to their innate genius and bring all they have to offer out into the world and express with no holding back. On the surface it looks like teaching neuroscience but actually it is giving them the tools to live their whole life with purpose and connection.
Looking after my wellbeing ensures I bring clarity, a sense of what is needed through being practical and creative, always with genuine care and lightness of being. I support others to express what may be blocking them as I have an ability to see beyond the issue and support meaningful ways forward.
