Therapeutic work in schools: a workshop event

This year's conference is a workshop and networking event bringing together therapists working in school settings to think collaboratively about our work with young people.

Using a psychodynamic lens, the presentations and workshop groups will explore working with neurodivergence, a working model of containment, and how we can work with risk and anxiety in a school setting.

This conference will be of interest to school therapists/counsellors, SENCOs, head teachers, or anyone responsible for supporting the wellbeing of young people who are trained in, or interested in, psychoanalytic models of therapy.

• Containment within a school system - exploring the process of working with high need adolescents, risk and safeguarding

Presented by: Brent Centre for Young People's Rebecca Whitaker, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist and Ali Kosiner, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist.

Drawing on the Brent Centre's clinical model (Adolescent Exploratory Therapy) and it's 30 years of experience of delivering therapy within schools, this presentation will explore the layers of containment needed within a school system to effectively manage the risks and anxieties associated with adolescent work. Using the concept of Concentric Circles of containment (Rustin, McLoughlin), the presentation will explore how the ideas of Bion and Winnicot can help inform ways of working within school systems. It will present a working model for discussion. This will be a presentation followed by small group workshops to explore key themes. Attendees can bring their own material for discussion.

• Working with autistic young people in schools and the systems around them: Tony Lee, CAMHS Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist, and Sarah Herman, Assistant Head of Schools Service, Specialist Neurodiversity Informed Practitioner, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist, Brent Centre for Young People.

• Working in a School System
  A panel discussion with experts leading reflection on themes and issues raised throughout the day.

Lunch, coffee and tea will be provided as part of the event.

Host or Publisher Westminster School and the Brent Centre for Young People