How I Work

Beanstalk Psychology Ltd has four different strands of working. 

Strand 1 - Working with Families

My assessment process is always based on a holistic rationale. An initial consultation online (price available on request) of between one to two hours including a summary report, using a collaborative solution focused approach that aims to unpick the issues and suggest strategies. This meeting may be all you need in order for the situation to become ‘unstuck’, or we may use this as the basis (the parent interview) of a wider assessment (please see below). Alternatively, I may signpost you to the appropriate professionals. 

If a follow-on assessment is required, this may involve observation, staff interviews, and individual work with the child or young person. This will be agreed prior to meeting the child and an in-depth report will be provided. Wherever possible, I work in collaboration with education settings and complete my assessments in schools. 

What I don’t do: 

I am unable to diagnose conditions such as autism (ASC) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), these are areas where medical professionals such as clinical psychologists or community paediatrics would would normally assess. As such, parents are advised to consult the family GP or ask the school SENCo to make a referral to the appropriate service. For a dyspraxia assessment, please refer to an occupational therapist (again through your school SENCo or family GP.) 

Please note, if an assessment for dyslexia is required, it may be be simpler (and cheaper) to seek a PATOSS professional.

Expert Witness Assessments for Tribunal: 

Please note that I do not specialise in this area. Parents can source an appropriately skilled educational psychologist by consulting either The British Psychological Society website at www.bps.org.uk or The Association of Child Psychologists in Private Practice (ACHIPPP) website at www.achippp.org.uk 

Strand 2 - Working with Schools

I work with maintained and independent schools as well as academy trusts. When working with schools I can offer a range of activities including systemic work, consultations, group and individual work. Please contact me for further details of block booking in order to obtain a reduced rate. 

I allocate time in terms of days; this can involve either three hours of face-to-face time and three hours of writing up or six hours of face-to-face (with no write up). Academy chains and schools can either book individual days, or commission blocks of time to be spread across the term/academic year.

Menu of Activities

I work within whole school, group, and individual systems, examples of my work include:

• Solution Focused Consultation (a half an hour problem solving discussion, at the end of the session the consultee will have a greater understanding of the situation and will have planned what steps to take). Consultation can be about groups or individuals, and can take place with teachers, newly qualified teachers, teaching assistants, and special educational needs co-ordinators. I will do consultations by video call or in-person;

• Early Intervention Casework (helping ' stuck' situations to become 'unstuck'). This may include observations, interviews, Person Centred Planning (PCP) approaches, working with parents, and assessments (both dynamic and standardised);

• Drafting reports to submit as evidence for a request for an Education Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA);

• Supporting transitions (between year groups, key stages, and schools);

• Supporting schools to support refugees;

• Supervision (either individual or in groups) for teachers, teaching assistants, and learning mentors;

• Employee wellbeing;

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT);

• Group interventions;

• Training/Workshops;

• Circle of adults / circle of friends / solution circles.

Location: Beanstalk Psychological Consultancy will travel to anywhere within a 30 minute radius of Horsham (West Sussex). Online appointments are also available.

Strand 3 - Supporting Refugee Families in Schools

I offer group problem solving (solution circles) to schools and training to staff (e.g. Emotional Literacy Support Assistants) who may be supporting refugee children in school. If appropriate, I am able to offer assessments at a reduced rate. 

Strand 4- Emotional Wellbeing Support

I am able to offer individual sessions in helping children to manage challenging feelings, these may include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) sessions.