About Your Child Therapy
Hello, my name is Andrea Sumner.
I am an Education Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner working with parents and education professionals supporting withdrawn, worried, shy or angry children.
I am a parent of four young people; two boys and two girls. As a working mum of four, I understand the everyday challenges parents face when juggling nursery, school runs, running a busy home, supporting grandparents, managing extra-curricular activities, supervising homework, organising dressing up outfits at 11pm the night before World Book Day (was Super Girl ever a book, idk?!) and planning how the heck to entertain the 4 of them for the entire summer holidays. On top of all these, it can be incredibly stressful to know what to do and say for the best when supporting children who are struggling.
When my children were growing up they experienced worries about school, tests and exams, sleep and bedtime routines, being judged by others, being embarrassed in front of peers and wider global issues they heard about on the news such as floods and terrorist attacks. These worries and frustrations were often expressed through tears and tantrums.
I wish I knew then what I know now, as I would have had more effective tools and strategies in my own toolkit and been more confident in my ability to help and support them.
I was a Primary School teacher for over 20 years with experience in KS1 and KS2, SATs booster groups, SEN 1:1 support (Down Syndrome, Autism and ADHD) and 1:1 private tutoring. I also wish I had known these techniques to build self-confidence in class and support transition worries.
I have worked within Further and Higher Education settings supporting students in Foundation Learning with a range of additional needs.
I trained as a Mental Health and Wellbeing practitioner 3 years ago as I recognised an overwhelming need for mental health and emotional support amongst our children and young people.
During this time, in my personal life, I went through a sudden and difficult divorce. I was shocked, upset and desperate to protect my children’s mental health and wellbeing along with my own. I was able to turn to a counsellor for support, but I could not find a trained children’s mental health professional for my children. Thankfully, the support I received and the post graduate course I was studying at the time enabled me to support them along with their teachers in school.
I have worked with many children who feel unable to cope with overwhelming feelings of worry, anxiety and low self- confidence. Some of these children were also learning to live life with limited access to a parent and adjusting to their feelings about a parent’s new partner and his/her children.
As a result of my own personal experience and working with children and young people in schools who were often worried about absent parents, contact arrangements or that they had left their homework at their Dad’s, I have created a programme to help parents support their children navigate this change knowing they are loved and supported.
For Parents, Carers & Educators
(Children 6-12 Years)
The Confidence Kit - Helping parents and educators support children build self-confidence, nurture self-worth, and develop a "have a go" mindset.
- 1:1 or group sessions.
For Young People
Overcoming Anxiety - For anxiety
Letting Worry Go - For worry
Lifting My Mood - For low mood
- 1:1 Sessions
Testimonials
I’ve seen a change in myself and how I talk to my children. All my children love the relaxing cat technique, they’ve even taught it to Grandma!
Parent
Thank you so much, Andrea, you have given us hope
Parent
I now know what to do to help him in school.
Teacher Assistant
Contact Me
If you would like to chat further then please contact me for a Free 20 minute clarity call