What evidence supports my work?

Positive Psychology

Positive Psychology is the scientific study of what enables individuals, families, communities and organisations to flourish and thrive. This approach focuses on strengths, positive emotions, savouring positive experiences, optimism, gratitude, hope, and developing grit, a growth mindset and resilience. A variety of tools and interventions have been developed that promote wellbeing, build mental fitness and prevent anxiety and depression.

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience is the study of the relationship between the developing brain and the emergence of psychological abilities during infancy and childhood. It examines how the mind changes as children develop, the relationship between that and how their brain is changing, and how environmental and biological influences impact the developing brain and mind.

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognize your own emotions, differentiate between different feelings and label them appropriately, recognise emotions in others, use this information to guide thinking and behaviour, and manage and/or adjust emotions to adapt to situations and environments that you find yourself in.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that examines how individuals think about themselves and other people, and how individual’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour are all interconnected. When children and young people make the link between what they do, feel, and think, they are more able to modify their unhelpful thinking and behaviour. By changing their thinking, they will change the way they feel and behave and changing their behaviour will correspondingly change what they feel and think. CBT helps kids explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviours and can help interrupt the distressing cycles of negative thinking, feeling, and behaviour. When you child learns how to use CBT tools and strategies, they will discover how to fight off unhelpful negative thoughts about themselves or the world. CBT can be helpful for kids with ADHD, anxiety, depression and other issues.

Social and Emotional Learning

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children develop the skills to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. All of which are crucial interpersonal skills that are fundamental to success at school and in life.

The 5 core SEL competencies include: –

• Self-awareness
• Self-regulation
• Responsible decision making
• Empathy and social awareness
• Social Skills