Rachel Lambie (she/her)

MA, HCPC, BADth, MBACP

Chief Executive Officer

Rachel is the founder and CEO of NESSie. She is a registered Dramatherapist, Counsellor, trainer and Supervisor. She has been working with children and young people in educational settings since qualifying in 1998. She is a passionate social entrepreneur who believes that therapy should be evidence-based and accessible for all. She believes that every child and young person has a right to thrive and that families and professionals in education have the potential to be great ‘therapists’ for their children if given the right training and support. She is currently working on a Professional Doctorate at ARU researching young people’s conceptualisation of Mental Health.

She loves knitting and growing flowers.

Nicola Pearce

Operations Manager

With over 10 years of experience in the education sector as a School Business Manager and Office Manager, Nicola brings a wealth of operational expertise, energy, and dedication to her role at Nessie. She thrives in fast-paced environments, embraces challenges, and is passionate about building strong relationships and supporting others to grow. Inspired by Nessie’s vision and values, Nicola is proud to continue making a positive difference to young people.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two teenage daughters, cooking, and gardening.

Karen Woolley

Executive Assistant

Karen is a professional and dedicated Executive Assistant with extensive experience in administration, HR, project management, high-level executive support, and customer service. She is passionate about creating calm, organised systems behind the scenes, allowing the team to focus on making a real difference in young people’s lives.

Her decision to join the company was driven by personal experience, having supported a family member through mental health challenges. Karen is committed to being part of a service that promotes early intervention, understanding, and lasting support for children and families. She is especially proud to work with an organisation that champions positive mental health.

Karen is friendly, reliable, and highly organised, and she takes pride in ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Outside of work, Karen leads a busy family life and enjoys catching up with friends, long dog walks, live music, and cheering on her children from the sidelines of the rugby and football pitch.

Angela Sutherland (she/her)

Operations Administrative Assistant

Angela is experienced working within fast-paced office environments. From Retail Head Offices such as Tesco to distribution for brands such as Microsoft.

During her time in these roles, a key part has been to challenge and review the processes currently in place and see if there is a way to help facilitate the smooth running of the department and manage the change process.

Angela is passionate about mental health after navigating the pathways with a family member.

She loves to go horse riding when possible and enjoys yoga.

Hannah Powell

Admin Assistant

Hannah is the admin assistant at Nessie, where she supports communications and marketing efforts. She thrives on creativity and loves being part of such a vibrant, wonderful team. When she’s not at work, you’ll find her at heavy metal gigs and festivals—the louder, the better—or at home with her PlayStation, getting lost in RPGs.

Jess Foord

(she/her)

MA, BA(Hons), HCPC, BAMT

Lead Therapist and Junior Manager

Jess is a qualified music therapist with much of her work being in a variety of schools providing 1:1 and group music therapy sessions. While working at Nessie, she has found a love for working with adolescents.

Jess is a qualified CYP-IAPT Supervisor and has just undertaken the role of Clinical Lead and Manager of Nessie’s new EBSA project supporting children, young people, families and schools across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. “Nessie is full of amazing people and colleagues – I have developed and learnt a lot since joining in Jan 2023. I am looking forward to embarking on this new project with my amazing new team”

When not at work and no longer building a house, she can be found playing netball, walking her two labradors or cooking yummy food

Luke Simonds (he/him)

Dramatherapist

HCPC

When Luke was growing up, he wanted to be an actor or an astronaut. When Luke grew up, he became a teacher and is very excited to be working with the NESSie team.

He has been working in education for 11 years and has worked with young people in mainstream and special education settings.

Prior to this, Luke spent 14 years dabbling in acting, civil service and management consultancy.

Luke is married and the proud co-owner of an African Land Snail called Syd. He loves Doctor Who and Doc Martens. Luke still dreams of being an astronaut.

Harri Nicholas (she/her)

HCPC, BAAT

Art Therapist

Harri has worked with children, young people and their families in a variety of educational settings providing 1:1 and joint Parent and Child sessions. Harri’s interest areas are ASC, Trauma, LAC, Bereavement and Parent-Child Relational Repair.

Harri has completed her Supervision Training for Arts Therapists with the London Art Therapy Centre and now supervises Creative Arts Therapists. Harri has recently completed further training in supporting Parents to work with their Child/Children therapeutically with Trauma Informed Schools and IATE.

When Harri is not working you’ll find her on her Yoga Mat or learning British Sign Language.

Elisa Ferriggi

(she/her)

CAMHS Practitioner (Autism Spectrum Conditions and Learning Disabilities)

Elisa has over 20 years of experience working with families with autistic children. She helps parents to connect with their child and create opportunities for learning and development in everyday life. Elisa has completed the CYP IAPT ASC/ LD training at the Anna Freud and wants to reach more children and young people that need help in overcoming obstacles to reach their potential.

When she’s not working she is busy spending time with her two children, usually looking for Pokemon, practicing her guitar or making something!

Sarah Booth (she/her)

MA, PGCE, HCPC, BAAT

Art Therapist

Sarah is a trained primary school teacher and a qualified art therapist working with children and young people across North Herts. She has experience across a range of settings including; Nursery Centres, pupil’s referrals units and residential children’s homes. Her particular interests are preverbal trauma and attachment difficulties.

Sarah is currently completing a Postgraduate Certificate in CYP IAPT Supervision with The Anna Freud Centre and UCL.

‘I am privileged to be an art therapist and love my job’.

When not at work she can be found creating her own works of art.

Charlotte Wilmer-Barbrook (she/her)

PGDip, HCPC, BADth

Dramatherapist

Charlotte has been working in education as a Drama and Movement therapist for over twenty-five years. ‘I am passionate about the psychological and physical well-being of children and young people. I practice using integrative therapy skills as well as Jungian psychotherapy’. Charlotte works with groups and individuals offering creative tools for self-expression.

Charlotte has completed the Creative Arts Supervision Training (CAST) Diploma and supservies both creative arts therapists and professionals working in education.

Her particular areas of interest are ASD and trauma.

In her spare time, she looks after her cheeky dogs, chickens, ducks and horses!

George Fisher (them/they)

Dip Couns, MBACP

Counsellor and Supervisor

George has over 20 years’ experience as an autism specialist, working with children, parents, carers and professionals. Through extensive training in this field, George has offered support, advice and guidance to families and those working in education and Children’s Services within Hertfordshire.

George is a BACP registered person-centred therapist with experience of counselling adult’s children and young people and has completed a PG Cert in CYP IAPT Supervision. George provides supervision and training to professionals working with children and young people.

George also has a background of teaching performing arts and enjoys tai chi as a way to relax.

Bethany La Plain (she/her)

Integrative Counsellor

Bethany has worked in schools for over 20 years, initially as a qualified teacher and since 2014 as a qualified child and adolescent counsellor.
Her client-led integrative approach, using a mixture of play, art and conversational therapy, creates a safe space for children and young people to process experiences and feelings that may be hard for them to manage on their own.

In her spare time, Bethany loves to be outside, particularly when the sun is shining!

Tim Goldman (he/him)

MA, HCPC, BADth

St Albans and Harpenden Arts Therapist (Drama)

Tim is a Sesame-trained Dramatherapist and previously worked as a teacher and an actor. Much of Tim’s work has been in schools, particularly alongside children with various Special Educational Needs. More recently he has been working in mainstream schools with children who have experienced trauma or high levels of anxiety. Tim also trained as a CYP-IAPT CBT and Humanistic therapist for anxiety and low mood.

Tim enjoys getting outdoors as much as possible, particularly when it is wet and muddy.

Natasha Devine

CAMHS Practitioner CYP-IAPT Trainee (Parent Training)

Natasha is a qualified integrative counsellor with experience of working with children, young people and adults. She has previously worked in schools, pupil referral units and alongside families.

Natasha is currently completing a postgraduate certificate in CYP IAPT Parent Training at KCL.

In her spare time Natasha loves to dance and play. She enjoys spending time with her 3 children and the family pets.

Annette Walker (she/her)

BPS

ASD/LD Specialist and Trainee Person-Centred Counsellor.

Annette is an CYP-IAPT ASD/LD specialist practitioner and member of the BACP.

She has 20 years’ experience of working within SEND across mainstream early years, primary and secondary educational settings and is passionate about supporting neurodiverse children, young people and their families.

When she’s not working, Annette loves being outside and spending time with her family and friends.

Karen Rock (she/her)

Art Therapist

HCPC

Karen is a qualified Art Therapist and secondary school PE and art teacher. She has worked in education for over 27 years, particularly within a special educational needs setting. She has experience working with both adults and young people with complex emotional needs, including emotionally unstable personality disorder, trauma, learning difficulties and autism.

In her spare time, Karen trains and competes in agility with her two cockerpoo’s Khali and Rhu.

Julie Trigg (she/her)

Dip Couns, BSCP

School Integrative Arts Counsellor in DSPL5 (Coordinator), DSPL 2 and at Hitchin Girls’ School

Julie is a BACP registered Child and Adolescent Integrative Arts Counsellor.

She has experience of working in both primary and secondary schools across Hertfordshire and practices child-centred counselling using creativity and play.

When she’s not working, she loves the outdoors, Pilates, creating her own art and baking.

Sarah Rogers

MA Art Psychotherapy, BSc Psychology

HCPC

I’m a registered Art Psychotherapist with experience across NHS and educational settings, including delivering therapy for adults with learning disabilities.

I’ve set up art therapy in a primary school and gained hands-on classroom experience as an SEN teaching assistant. I’ve also worked in a variety of school-based roles supporting children and young people aged 5–18, as well as in arts and mental health charities for adults.

I work creatively and mindfully, drawing inspiration from nature and painting landscapes in watercolour and acrylic.

I love sunrise and sunset runs, challenges such as three peaks in 24 hours, a Triathlon at Blenheim Palace, and finding stillness in wild, open spaces—experiences that inspire both my artwork and therapeutic approach.

Gill Ward

BSc (Hons), PG Dip, Certified Play and Creative Arts Therapist – PTUK

Formerly a Paediatric Nurse and Early Years Practitioner Gill has nurtured a passion for children’s mental health and well-being for over 30 years. Qualifying as a Certified Play Therapist in 2023 has allowed Gill to deliver 1:1 and small group sessions, helping children to explore and express their emotions creatively.

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, dancing and walking her energetic Labradoodle.

Natasha Rose

Intergrative Creative Arts Therapist

As an Integrative Creative Arts Therapist, Natasha is passionate about tailoring her therapeutic approach to meet the unique needs of each young person. She has experience working across both primary and secondary school settings, including extensive work supporting children and young people experiencing Emotional and Environmental Barriers to School Attendance (EEBSA).

Having recently completed the CYP-IAPT training in Interpersonal Therapy for Adolescents, Natasha works with a wide range of needs including anxiety, depression and neurodiversity. She is committed to providing a safe, inclusive space where young people can be themselves and explore difficult emotions creatively.

In her free time, she enjoys discovering great food, going on long walks, or curling up on the sofa with Netflix.

Caroline Garfield

Art Therapist

HCPC

Caroline is an Art Therapist who has worked for several years across primary and secondary schools taking a broad range of referrals. Before working as an Art Therapist, Caroline worked in both primary and secondary schools in wellbeing roles.

‘It is a huge privilege to work alongside young people, to build their wellbeing and enable them to thrive. I am passionate about the power of Art Therapy as a space to communicate beyond words.’

Ross Bolwell-Williams

Art Therapist

Ross is an Art Psychotherapist who graduated with a distinction in MA Art Therapy from the University of Hertfordshire. For the last 18 years, Ross has been working in the arts and culture sector as a Participatory Visual Artist, specialising in instigating creative engagement experiences for children, young people, adults and communities.

Curiosity, co-production and imagination are the cornerstones of Ross’s practice, and he attunes the art therapy intervention to meet the needs of his service users who have a spectrum of emotional and mental health challenges.

When Ross isn’t working, he can mostly be found walking his dog, making art and visiting beach huts (it’s his dream to one day have his own art therapy studio in a beach hut!).

Claire Mascarenhas

Specialist Family support worker

As a qualified Youth Worker Claire runs a Pride Youth Group, passionate about inclusion and supporting LGBTQ+IA young people to address barriers they may come up against. She has extensive experience in supporting families with PDA, Autism, Agoraphobia, Anxiety, OCD and ESBA, helping with strategies, acceptance, communication and creating calm environments. In her spare time, Claire loves volunteering at festivals, crochet, spending time with her family and enjoys all things Norse!

Gill Ward

BSc (Hons), PG Dip, Certified Play and Creative Arts Therapist – PTUK

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, dancing and walking her energetic Labradoodle.

Pippa Russell

CYP-PT Therapy Trainee (ASC/LD Specialist)

Pippa is a qualified Dramatherapist with an MA in Dramatherapy from ARU. She brings experience from a therapeutic SEN setting and is passionate about celebrating neurodiversity. Her work is sensory, imaginative and centred on helping young people discover the expressive language that feels most natural and empowering to them. She joins us on our recruit to train programme, to become a specialist in ASC/LD. Outside the therapy room, Pippa can usually be found singing with her choir or enthusiastically playing rounders.

Meet Our Team

“It has been a pleasure working with a Nessie therapist to support one of our pupils”

SENCo (Primary)

Work With Us

Meet Our Team

“It has been a pleasure working with a NESSie therapist to support one of our pupils”

SENCo (Primary)

Work With Us

Our Team of Experts

Nessie’s multidisciplinary therapy team includes highly qualified and state-registered art, drama, play, music, and SEND specialist therapists. All practitioners have completed safer recruitment checks, maintain current DBS, Child Protection, and Prevent training, and participate in ongoing professional supervision and development.

Meet our directors