Meet the team

Core Staff

Rachel Lambie, MA

Founder and Director

Rachel trained as a Dramatherapist in 1998 and completed an MA in 2002 whilst working in the NHS. She is a qualified supervisor and currently lives and works in North Herts. She has been working with children and young people in educational settings since qualifying. Rachel set up Nessie in 2015 in response to an overwhelming need for emotional support in schools.

She loves knitting and growing flowers!

Sarah Blackford, MA, PGdip

Counselling Coordinator, Supervisor and Administrator

Sarah is a Dramatherapist, CYP IAPT therapist and is currently training as supervisor. She has experience across a range of settings including post adoption support, primary and secondary schools, the NHS, a residential home for the elderly and a children’s hospice for the siblings of those with life limiting conditions.

She loves the outdoors and going on adventures!

Becky Wilburn, MA, PGCE

Supervisor and North Herts Lead Coordinator

Becky is an ex teacher (they’re like ex smokers, but much less grumpy). She is a qualified Dramatherapist and Supervisor working with children and young people across North Hertfordshire. ‘I always look for the good in people and believe that sometimes we can’t always say what is going on in our heads. But that having fun and being creative is paramount to our emotional wellbeing’.

She has a good selection of really bad jokes and is terrible at juggling.

Charlotte Wilmer-Barbrook, PGDip

Stevenage Area Coordinator and Arts Therapist

Charlotte has been been working in education as a Drama and Movement therapist for 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. Her particular areas of interest are ASD and trauma.

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

Harri Nicholas

Stevenage Area Coordinator and Arts Therapist

Harri has worked with children in a variety of educational settings providing group and 1:1 Art Therapy sessions. ‘I have experience working with children and young people with Learning Disabilities which means I have to adapt my practice to be flexible and practical for those with complex physical and learning needs. My interest areas are ASD, LD, Bereavement and Trauma’.

When she’s not working, she’s usually on her yoga mat!

Jayne Hale

Schools Counsellor

Jayne trained as a Person-centred Therapist over 10 years ago and is qualified to work with Individuals, Young People, Couples and Families. Jayne also has additional qualifications in CYP IAPT Therapy, Family Systemic Therapy and Supervision. Jayne has many years’ experience working with MIND and currently works for Relate in both Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, is a School Counsellor and in private practice.

Jayne’s favourite down time is swimming at her local gym

Richard Leigh

Supervisor, CYP IAPT Therapist and Counsellor

Richard is an accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, with 18 years of experience counselling adults and young people.

‘I am currently a freelance counsellor and clinical supervisor. I am a NESSie counsellor at Priory School, Hitchin. I am also studying CYP-IAPT enhanced skills training at Kings College.

‘My counselling method is based on the Person-Centred Therapy approach for a range of mental health concerns. I also offer CBT for anxiety’.

Vivien Ofstedahl, B.Ed, B.SC

Lead Trainer

Viv has been a teacher for over 30 yrs – teaching PE in both secondary and middle schools. She has spent the majority of her career in Hertfordshire after returning from a teaching post in the Bahamas. In most recent years she has been supporting pupils in school with social & emotional difficulties and has taken on a mental health and well being lead role within my current school.

Since 2015 she has been working closely with NESSie focusing on supporting staff in schools with a variety of training in particular; self harm, LGBT foundation and positive mental health & well being.

Natasha Crook

Dramatherapist and Angels Project Lead North Herts Area Coordinator and Arts Therapist

Natasha is a qualified Dramatherapist with experience working within SEN and mainstream schools across Hertfordshire. Within these settings her work often specialises around young people who are in foster care, have experienced bereavement and trauma and are on the Autistic spectrum. ‘Expressing and allowing creativity is fundamental within my life and my work and I hope to give space for young people to find this within themselves.’

She likes playing netball as well as baking lots of nice treats!

Sarah Booth

North Herts Area Coordinator and Arts 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.

‘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.

Sarah Payne

Music Therapist and Angels Project Facilitator

Sarah is a music therapist, CYP IAPT therapist trainee and part time Head of Music at a school in Cambridge.

She has experience across a range of settings including secondary school children, young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, primary school children, children with ASD, LD and PMLD, children with life-limiting conditions and their families, as well as dementia and neurological rehabilitation settings.

George Fisher

School Counsellor

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 Childrens Services within Hertfordshire.

George is a person-centred therapist with experience of counselling adult’s and young people.

George also teaches performing arts and enjoys tai chai as a way to relax.

Yoshi Bear

Pets as Therapy Dog

Yoshi Bear is five years old and is a Pets as Therapy Dog. He lives with Charlotte the Area Co-ordinator for Stevenage and loves nothing better than helping children relax, laugh and have fun. He is the newest staff member of NESSie and is very excited to begin work soon.

Yoshi Bear has been nominated by the Hertfordshire NHS for A Leading Lights Award for his contribution as a volunteer at the Watford Neurological Rehabilitation Unit. His sessions have been described as ‘magical’! We cannot wait to bring his magic to our team.