Natalie has worked in young people's Mental Health services for 16 years, previously running projects funded by Comic Relief.

She has a BA (Hons) Psychology w Gender Studies degree gained at The University of Sussex in 2007, alongside further training in all areas of Mental Health and a Level 2 NCFE Counselling Skills qualification. Natalie is trained in Safetalk Suicide Awareness, has an enhanced DBS check and enhanced safeguarding for children training. She is also the DSL for BIY. Natalie qualified as a MHFA Mental Health First Aider for Youth in January 2020. Natalie is the founder of Believe in You, and takes huge pride in working both within local secondary schools and academies and privately as a teen mentor and mental health coach.

Using a variety of teen friendly strategies including mindfulness, education and awareness in emotional wellbeing, development in coping strategies, creative therapies and improving self esteem, young people are encouraged to work through their life trauma or inner conflict, on their level.

"We pride ourselves on offering a niche and alternative approach to accessing support, which has been successful and popular across all ages. If you're looking for something a little different to traditional counselling, we are certainly the team to approach!"

Doug has over 15 years of experience working in CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health services ) in a number of different roles. He initially worked for 4 years at Larchwood NHS hospital which admitted children of 12 and under for residential assessments. He then worked for 2 years with the CAMHS asd assessment team before working for the urgent help service at Colwood (now Chalkhill) assessing and managing high risk teenagers and vulnerable children. For the last 6 years Doug has worked in the community supporting schools and local services assessing and engaging young people and families with a wide range of issues. He has also worked for the last year independently for believe in you where he offers consultancy and support to teachers, managers, children and families at one of the largest secondary school in Hastings. Under Believe in You he also works independently with families in the East Sussex area. 

Qualifications

Doug is a registered psychiatric nurse with a specialty in autistic spectrum disorders. His work over the last six years has focused on children with behavioural difficulties and anxiety.  These children have presented with a vast array of issues from: self-harm, avoidance, aggressive behaviour, adhd, eating disorders, depression through to trauma and loss.

 His work has always been focused on early intervention and empowering both adults and children to overcome difficulties. Doug believes often that process comes out of a thorough understanding of what drives the behaviour psychologically. Doug works mainly with parents / carers and professionals involved with the child though he does work directly with children as well.