Welcome to NESSie
Getting the right help to you and your child
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering face-to-face and on-line video arts therapies and counselling as well as telephone counselling. We continue to provide children, young adults, their families and professionals with quality assured mental health support both remotely and in person.
If you are a parent or carer, please enquire by telephone 07434 696364 or email: rleigh@nessieined.com
If you are a professional, please enquire by telephone 07949 368941 or email: sblackford@nessieined.com
NESSie provides counselling and arts therapies (dramatherapy and art, music and play therapy) for children, young people and their families. We offer support in education and community settings face to face, online or over the phone. We provide access to affordable help quickly with experienced, qualified staff.
We work in partnership with local statutory and voluntary organisations and offer regular training for parent, carers and professionals in educational settings to up skill the network around the child.
Our mission: to help improve the mental and emotional health of children and young people, enabling them to live happier healthier lives.
Our Values
Child first: Our company exists to support children and young people. We make every decision and measure based on them.
Family focused: We know how important supporting families, parents and carers are in sustaining positive change.
Integrity: We’re honest, transparent and committed to doing what’s best for our service users.
Relationships: Connecting with the children and young people, families, schools, agencies and each other to drive success and improve support and outcomes.
Self-Improvement: We are committed to continuous investments in the growth of our team members. We encourage our teams to actively take responsibility for their own self-development and work together to improve the company’s and their own health.
Creativity: We believe creativity improves wellbeing and is healing.
Student Support: 0-25 year olds
We provide quality assured arts therapists and counsellors who have experience working in a range of settings including early years, nursery, primary, secondary schools and special educational needs (SEN) settings. We work both 1-1 and in groups, commissioned locally or funded directly by schools or parents/carers. Email sblackford@nessieined.com for further information.
Staff Training and Support Forums
Staff Forums offer support and information sharing. Themes arise from the needs of the group which may include emotional literacy, anxiety and resilience, bereavement, understanding attachment behaviours and sharing good practice.
These trainings are commintioned locallaly or can be bought in directly. Please email rlambie@nessieined.com for further infotmation
Linking Closely with Outside Agencies
These services include schools, local CAMHS commissioners, National funding bodies, DSPL management groups, local mental health and well-being groups and services.
We are affiliated with the Anna Freud Centre, The Judge Business School (Cambridge) and Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge)
Parent/Carer Support Forums
Parent Forums have been developed locally as a platform where ideas and experiences can be shared and supported. Training, advice and information is provided by qualified therapists, and is an opportunity to network and connect with other parents.
These training’s are commissioned locally by Hertfordhaire County Council. Please see our events page or Facebook for further information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we work?
Our approach is always child-centred with the child’s needs being at the heart of what we do. This includes working collaboratively with the parents, carers, education setting and any additional agencies working with the child and/or family. All of our qualified therapists and counsellors are skilled and experienced in working creatively in education settings. We also provide support and placements for trainee therapists. Supervision is offered to all employees within the service.
Where do we work?
We work in a range of settings including early years, nursery, primary, secondary schools including SEN schools. We provide training at local community centres, education settings and visit different sites across the county to ensure our service is as accessible as possible.
We also provide remote support through telephone and video conferencing.
How can I find out about up and coming trainings?
We do our best to ensure all our education settings are aware of up and coming training’s, however we also aim to have these available on our website, as well promoted through your local DSPL.
Who funds the work?
NESSie is either funded through the DSPL and local authority, or bought in directly through the education setting or parent/carer.
How do I book a therapist/counsellor?
All bookings can be made through the school, local authority or parent/carer. Please complete the referral form on this website, or email our operations manager Sarah Blackford (sblackford@nessieined.com) for further information.
If you are a parent looking for support, please contact the SENCo or Headteacher at your child’s school. If you are looking for support independently from your child’s school please navigate to our parent page
What Our Community is Saying about NESSie:
