Meet the team
Core Staff
Rachel Lambie, MA
Chief Executive Officer
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
Operations Manager and Supervisor
Sarah is a Dramatherapist, CYP IAPT therapist and certified supervisor. As a practitioner she has experience across a range of settings including post adoption support, mainstream schools and a children’s hospice supporting siblings of those with life limiting conditions. She is currently on a year long enhanced training with the Anna Freud Centre, Leading Transformation and Change: Children and Young People’s Mental Health Wellbeing Services .
She loves the outdoors!
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!
Tim Goldman
St Albans and Harpenden Dramatherapist
Tim enjoys getting outdoors as much as possible, particularly when it is wet and muddy.
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
Natasha Crook
St Albans and Harpenden Dramatherapist and Supervisor
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 Autism Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities Specialist
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.
Annette Walker
ASD/LD Specialist Practitioner
Mycah Tequeron
Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City Schools Outreach Worker and Secondary Transition Worker
Julie Stokes
DSPL2 and School Integrative Arts Counsellor
Julie is a BACP registered Child and Adolescent Integrative Arts Counsellor.
She works in both primary and secondary schools across Hertfordshire and practises child-centred counselling using creativity and play.
She loves the outdoors, Pilates, creating her own art and baking.
Yoshi Bear
Pet Assisted Therapy Dog
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.
CYP IAPT Trainee Practitioners
Joshua Webb
Autism Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities
Alexandra Lutton
Autism Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities
Philip Clarke
Systemic Family Practice
Phil is an HCPC registered Music Therapist who trained at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. As well as being a multi-instrumentalist and recording producer, his Music Therapy experience varies from working in the NHS, Alternative Provision Schools and working within his local community. His continuing training includes attending the Society of Analytical Psychology and Philadelphia Association.
Phil enjoys swimming and walking his dog Hendrix.
Sarah Foster
Autism Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities
What Our Families are Saying
