Director of Operational Services.

I joined the team at Village Orchard East CIC in October 2019 as the Office Manager and immediately saw the value of the services being offered here, I became more and more involved in the day to day running and planning and in May 2020, I moved into the role of Director.

My focus now mainly lies in providing support to our wonderful team of practitioners, students & volunteers, helping create & support new projects, securing funding opportunities, nurturing & creating relationships with groups, charities, services & organisations in the area, as well as growing my skill set to help serve our not-for-profit to the best of my ability.

If it sounds like The Village Orchard East could provide the personal support you need, or if you feel like we could combine our efforts to create a working relationship, project or plan, or that we could simply learn from each other, please do get in touch, Community over Competition is an ethos we value highly and we’d love to chat.

Co-Founder & Director of Clinical Services.

As Director of Clinical Services, my priority is to offer our communities an exceptional, trauma responsive service from the moment they contact us to the end of their sessions. This includes clients, our own practitioners and other professionals.

My core profession is art therapy and I am also an EMDR practitioner and clinical supervisor. Art Therapy Throughout my career, I have worked with clients from a range of cultural and social backgrounds who have experienced a variety of issues. I aim to provide a safe, containing space for the client to feel secure and listened to; able to begin their personal journey of change.

My life with Village Orchard East is challenging, thought-provoking, exciting and very rewarding. To be a co-founder and director at The Village Orchard East CIC, and to have the opportunity to work alongside this team, is an enormous privilege. I am lucky to say, loudly, that I love my job.

Dance Movement Psychotherapist (MA and BSc).

I graduated from Derby University. I am a registered practitioner with ADMP and DSB checked.

Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) uses movement, as well as other creative tools, talking and reflection etc, to explore the body-mind connection. I find movement often aids expression and communication. Mindful movement can help increase energy, confidence and self-esteem. 

DMP is great for anyone who has an interest in creative therapy, who maybe has a dis-connect with their body and/or for clients who would prefer an alternative to talking based therapy. 

I have experience working with individuals and groups. With young people and adults, from all walks of life and needs. 

I graduated in 2019 and this year I’m looking forward to going back into education and training as a supervisor, to be able to support other professionals in the caring industry.

Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

Hi! I’m Susie and I work with children and young people as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. I am a musician first and foremost and qualified as a Music Therapist many years ago which I am now in the process of revisiting.

I had a career break to focus on having my wonderful family which has been an amazing journey. I spent time during Covid working with Families and realised that I needed more training which led me to VOE for a placement. I have been fortunate that VOE had an opening for me to join this vibrant and passionate team. It is such a privilege to work with young people and share their experiences of life.

Outside of the therapy room I love spending time with my children, dogs & cats (of which there are many!) I am a keen traveller and thoroughly enjoy meeting new people, tasting fabulously different food and absorbing myself in the world’s breathtakingly, beautiful and varied cultures.

Studying for a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy

My name is Gervase and I am currently studying for a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy at the Metanoia Institute. My career in health and social care has provided me firsthand experience of the many problems that people face in their journeys through life and this has motivated me to try to find effective ways of helping.

I am to provide a “pluralistic’ way of working which means I will draw on whatever knowledge I have of different approaches to always try to meet people where they are - rather than where I’m at. The focus will always be on collaborating to work out what people find the most helpful and I feel very privileged to be supported in this by The Village Orchard.

Studying for an MA in Art Psychotherapy

I’m Mark, currently in my third year of training as an Art Psychotherapist at Goldsmiths, University of London. My background is in mental health support work, and I've also worked with young people leaving care.

My practice is informed by a psychodynamic approach, placing the therapeutic relationship at the centre of the work. I believe it's a space where exploration, containment, and healing can take place. I take a pragmatic and collaborative approach, supporting clients to shape the direction of therapy in a way that feels right for them.

Art and creativity are at the centre of my work. I view art not as a skill but as a form of communication available to everyone, a means of expression that can often reach where words cannot.

Beyond my therapeutic practice, I’m a self-taught artist who enjoys working with paint and clay, as well as making music. I’m also passionate about analogue photography, particularly 35mm film, and often spend time outdoors capturing the textures and rhythms of nature.