I joined CCS in 2021 with over 30 years of experience working in Children’s Services. Originally beginning in the London Borough of Lewisham Early Years and Social Care and Health sectors then returned to Bristol to deliver local community childcare services both for the local authority, community projects and Surestart. Most recently I have spent 6 years working as a childcare manager for the YMCA where I discovered my motivation and passion for being part of a charitable organisation.
I am thrilled to be part of the CCS team as PAS Manager and feel privileged to become part of a valuable and life-changing journey for children and families.

I joined CCS in 2016 as part of the admin team. I am now the Activities Coordinator and will be the one to respond to your emails/phone calls with regards to one of our many groups and events and I am happy to help with any query or issue you may have.

I had previously worked in similar roles within the voluntary sector for over 10 years, gaining many skills that enable me to work in this diverse role and support the team. I thoroughly enjoy my role at CCS, which offers plenty of variety and challenges. Working as part of an approachable team, we all work very well together and are passionate about the services provided for families.

I joined CCS in September 2021 as the Therapeutic Services Team administrator. I have a background in not-for-profit organisations, with events management and administration experience. I am a mum of 2 adopted children, and our family was created with the help of CCS, and I’m thrilled to be able to work among such a passionate and experienced team. I am the friendly voice at the end of the phone or email, always happy to help with any query or issue.

Helen qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 2007 and has over a decade’s experience working with children, young people, and their families. Helen was drawn to the field of trauma and attachment because she believes that our early relationships, and what happens to us during childhood, are key to how we will experience the trials and tribulations of life. Since qualifying Helen has become accredited in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy – an attachment informed approach. In 2018 Helen became a Consultant in DDP and also a Consultant Clinical Psychologist.

Jude started her working life as a probation officer and social worker, Jude retrained as a clinical psychologist in 2000. Since then, Jude has worked for specialist NHS CAMHS teams and a private psychology practice for adopters in the Midlands. Jude’s work has always been with children who had experienced early adversity, and trauma and had subsequent Developmental Trauma issues and also with the network of adults who surround them. In 2018, following a family move to Bristol, Jude joined the Therapeutic Services Team and in 2021 stepped into an associate role. Jude provides consultations, assessments and therapeutic work, including Hearts and Minds, which Jude co-wrote with Andrew Lister.

Jenny is a Clinical Psychologist who qualified in 2013. Jenny has specialised in working with families around attachment issues since then. This includes birth families, foster carers, special guardians and adoptive parents. Jenny has trained in mentalisation, mind-mindedness, and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) Level 2. Jenny loves working together with parents to support them to parent their child therapeutically.

Helen is a person-centred therapist, based in Bristol city centre. Helen specialises in supporting children, young people and families. Previous roles have been in schools, in fostering, and in charities including the Place2Be and Relate. Helen’s approach is underpinned by a respect for the people she works with, and a trust in their innate ability to locate their strengths and find their way through the toughest times - given the right conditions.
Throughout Helen’s career, she has been drawn to working with children and families affected by developmental trauma. Helen’s experience is that – with time, patience and commitment – children who have been hurt in a relationship can be supported to heal through relationships. As a result, Helen has trained in DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) Levels 1 and 2. Helen is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Stacey is a qualified Art Psychotherapist with over 10 years’ experience specialising in trauma and attachment and has worked in various foster care and adoption settings with individuals, groups and families. Stacey is also qualified in Dyadic Art Psychotherapy which frames the work she offers for families, as well as Children’s Accelerated Trauma Treatment (CATT). Dyadic Art Psychotherapy works with parents and their children focusing on 3 main areas - the child or children’s emotional world, the attachment relationship with primary care giver/s and constructing a life narrative. The work can stay focused on one element or may shift between these depending on the needs of the family.
Art Psychotherapy uses a range of non-verbal art media as the primary tool for expression and communication which can be especially useful for children who find their emotional states confusing or overwhelming, for those who have experienced multiple traumas and for those who have experienced difficulties pre-verbally. The art offers a non-threatening place for gaining control of the internal world and gives form to otherwise confusing states which can then be explored, played with and shared in a safe relationship.

Andy is an accredited Theraplay© Family practitioner (Foundational), and a Theraplay Group Trainer for Theraplay UK. His other freelance work includes working as a specialist SEND teacher helping schools support children with social and emotional difficulties, and working with other adoption agencies and families. Andy was previously a SENCo for 18 years and has also been an Advisory Teacher for a Local Authority within a Children’s Social Care Team. Andy is also a member of the National Attachment Lead network and delivers Youth Mental Health First Aid Courses for Mental Health First Aid England.

Wendy is a BACP Accredited Psychotherapist, Therapeutic Play Practitioner and registered Social Worker who started her career as a children’s Nanny before completing her academic studies. Wendy has also completed DDP (Diadic Developmental Psychotherapy) Levels 1 and 2, NVR (Non-Violent Resistance) Level 1, and Theraplay and MIM Level 1 training, all of which hugely influence and inform her passion for supporting children and their families to heal from complexities including trauma and to find connection through relationship. Her work experiences as Childcare Social Worker since 1996 and Psychotherapist since 2002 span statutory, voluntary, and independent organisations, and to the current time include sitting as Vice-Chair on Gloucestershire County Council’s Fostering Panel. Over the past 17 years, Wendy has worked freelance, and her Therapy roles include supporting school-based staff and parents/carers as well as working individually with children and teenagers. Wendy also offers individual as well as family-based interventions and support to children and their adoptive and foster families, with a particular interest in working with trauma and attachment utilising DDP, NVR, and Theraplay-informed principles in her practice and thinking.

Dr Vicky James-Perkins is a Clinical Psychologist and works as an associate for CCS. She specialises in attachment and trauma based approaches, including Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy.

Certified Play and Creative Arts Therapist, NVR-Informed Practitioner and an Accredited Parent-Child Attachment Play Practitioner available to work with children and young people aged between 4 years and 16 years old, alongside supporting their parents / carers.

Alice is a qualified Dramatherapist and Therapeutic Life Story practitioner. She has been working as a therapist in the post adoption field for almost 10 years with children, young people and their families. Alice’s specialism is in working with adolescent girls using creativity and play. Alice is a mum of two and loves reading, crocheting and dancing!