L-CYR Seminar Series: Therapeutic approaches in the education of children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties

This seminar will explore the needs of children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties, and look at the foundations needed for learning.

Speaker: Sarah Ayache, Head of Therapy and Art Psychotherapist, William Henry Smith School

Sarah Ayache is Head of Therapy and Art Psychotherapist at the William Henry Smith School, a specialist residential provision for boys with severe social, emotional and mental health difficulties. She leads a dynamic multi-disciplinary team of creative psychotherapists (art, music, drama), speech and language therapists, occupational therapists (with specialism in sensory integration), family counsellors, forensic psychology and specialist sex education.

In this seminar Sarah will explore the needs of SEMH students from the different perspectives of the variety of staff on site, such as psychological needs, movement needs, communication needs and academic difficulties.  She will touch on the foundations needed for learning, considering ideas from interpersonal neurobiology, child development and attachment to think about how different strategies work. The therapy team are nationally recognised for their work with children with complex emotional difficulties. 

Sarah recently contributed to the book “Creative Therapies for Complex Trauma”, illustrating the work of the team and the therapeutic ethos of the school community. She regular teaches in the fields of education, mental health and psychotherapy, also facilitating the neuroscience research reading group series at the Northern School of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy.

This event is free to attend and open to all. No registration required.

Location Details

Room G.37
Baines Wing
University of Leeds
Leeds 
LS2 9JT

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