Connie, Counselling Psychologist, Assessment & Therapy

Find out what it’s like to work with the Assessment & Therapy team at Five Rivers. Counselling psychologist Connie tells us what her role involves, and what she loves most about her job.

How long have you worked at Five Rivers?

I joined the organisation in March 2020.

What do you do?

As a Counselling Psychologist, I provide face-to-face therapy to the children and young people in our care as well as supporting the team of adults who work with them. Through my regular visits to our residential homes within the Salisbury area, I also provide clinical support to the employees in the residential homes and education settings, such as one-on-one consultations and delivering some training. The clinical input I provide to the adults is to help them to understand and support the specific needs of the children we’re looking after.

What do you love about your job?

There are many things I love about my job but the thing I most enjoy is working therapeutically with the young children and how no two days are the same. Getting to meet so many different people with different experiences and backgrounds is also a bonus!

Tell us something interesting that you have done or experienced?

I have lived in different countries, such as Greece and America and learnt to adapt to a variety of cultures. These experiences have highlighted the importance of communication, as without it people cannot integrate with one another. For example, when I lived in Greece for 5 years, I learnt how to speak Greek and I simulated myself fully into the Greek culture. I carry this versatility with me throughout my personal and professional life.

Tell us a bit about your career?

My journey began in North Yorkshire. I worked in adult mental health, which included collaborating with a domestic abuse and drug and alcohol service. I also worked with children between the ages of four and 16 years old, on the edge of care. This involved visiting the children/young people in an education setting to provide them with therapy. I also held counselling sessions for their parents if they wished.  I took the opportunity to work with Five Rivers with enthusiasm and moved to a part of the country I knew very little about. Relocating to Salisbury at the beginning of the first lockdown, I made the transition into my unusual but extremely gratifying role.