Meet Our Team

Wendy trained in London qualifying in 1991. Her years of paediatric physiotherapy experience have been gained in various settings both in the NHS and privately.

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At the end of 2006, Wendy set up TCT with the aim of providing high-quality, ethical, friendly service to children and their families. The practice has steadily expanded over the years and is now thriving. It is the only private practice of its kind in the area to provide such a wide range of multidisciplinary specialist paediatric therapy. Wendy now works both clinically and manages TCT. She works combines her clinical work with lecturing and consultancy work around the UK.

As a keen advocate of prevention and early intervention, she has researched and developed the Storycises™ programme and stories with her colleague Jane, which has been developed to help establish essential foundation motor skills in children.

Jane graduated from Southampton University in 2003 and has worked with children since 2005. She spent 13 years in the NHS as a physio (10 as a paediatric physio) and before that, 10 years as a paramedic. She is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and with the Health Professions Council as a state registered physiotherapist.

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Jane has worked with many families with children with a variety of diagnosis from developmental coordination disorders to neurological diagnosis like cerebral palsy. Her special interest is in neurodevelopmental diagnosis and she has completed both the Basic and Advanced Bobath Therapy courses. She has been involved in the successful rehabilitation of children after a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy helping them to achieve things that prior to surgery would have been impossible.

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She puts the family and child at the centre of everything she does, Her sessions are always play-based and lots of fun!

 Paediatric Physiotherapist Kathryn is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy graduating from Sheffield Hallam University in 2004. She is also a state registered physiotherapist and a member of the Health Professions Council. Kathryn completed a Masters in Rehabilitation from Bradford University in 2011 and completed the Bobath course in 2013.

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Kathryn has an interest in neuromuscular conditions and rare syndromes and enjoys working with children with Cerebral Palsy and has been working with children and their families following Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy to help them achieve their goals.

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Kathryn divides her time between NHS work and her work at TCT. Her NHS roles have been in Yorkshire, Dorchester and she is now working in the New Forest area specialising in neuro-developmental conditions.

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Kathryn is trained to measure for custom-made dynamic lycra garments /orthosis.

​Nicki is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Health Professional’s Council. She is also a member of the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists. She qualified from Teesside University in 2004 having previously completed a degree in sports medicine from Glasgow University.

Since qualifying Nicki has worked in a number of NHS hospitals including the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and Kings College Hospital, London as the paediatric musculoskeletal lead therapist. She has worked in a variety of acute and community settings. Nicki has a special interest in musculoskeletal, sports injuries, orthopaedics and chronic pain.

Catherine graduated from Brunel University in 2004. She is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Health & Care Professions Council. Catherine has worked in both the NHS and private sectors for 17 years. Catherine divides her time between TCT and a special needs school where she works primarily with children with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

Catherine has a great deal of experience in managing complex long-term conditions and works with a variety of diagnosis such as cerebral palsy, genetic disorders, rare syndromes, and degenerative conditions. She has worked with children, teaching staff and families to help achieve significant goals for children whilst attending school, such as walking or riding a tricycle!

Sarah qualified from University College London with a degree in Speech Sciences in 2004. She is a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and registered with the Health Professions Council. Her extensive experience includes working with a range of speech, language and communication difficulties in both children and teenagers. Sarah has worked in community clinics, early years settings, mainstream school, specialist education and college environments.

She is passionate about supporting children and their families through the process of developing functional communication and interaction skills. Sarah strongly believes that children learn more when they enjoy what they are doing rather than seeing it as hard work, she therefore always endeavours to make assessment and therapy as fun and child-focused as possible. 

Debbie qualified in 2006 with a BSc in Speech and Language Therapy. She enjoyed working for the NHS for many years with children in clinic, mainstream and in specialist education settings. Debbie chose to become an independent therapist in 2016 where she felt able to deliver a higher quality of therapy whilst providing a practical model to parents, teachers and teaching assistants as to how they can promote speech and language development on a daily basis.

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She offers assessment, advice, training and therapy packages to primary and secondary settings. Debbie enjoys working with families to provide an understanding of speech and language difficulties and ways to support their development. She has experience working with children with:

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• Speech sound delays/disorders

• Developmental language disorders

• Expressive and receptive language difficulties: Understanding and putting words in sentences.

• Attention and listening difficulties

• Autistic spectrum conditions

• Attachment disorder 

• ADHD

• Developmental verbal dyspraxia

• Children with Down’s Syndrome

• Fluency/ stammering 

• Selective mutism

Since qualifying from City University, London in 2009 Nicky has worked with children and young adults with a range of speech, language, communication and swallowing difficulties in special and mainstream schools, nurseries and day opportunity centres.

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Nicky has over 10 years experience of working in the field of complex needs and has knowledge of working with conditions such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, a variety of genetic conditions including Down Syndrome and Rett Syndrome as well as progressive conditions.

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She has extensive knowledge of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems ranging from low-tech symbols and signing to PODD books and high tech communication aids including iPads and eye gaze devices with a range of software and apps.

She is able to provide staff training or work directly with AAC users to further develop their skills in a fun way.

Nicky also holds a post-graduate qualification in The Practical Management of Eating and Drinking Difficulties in Children and a keen interest in sensory feeding difficulties.

Jo has been a passionate advocate for OT with children for over 20 years. She graduated from Coventry University in 1994 with a BSc Hons degree in Occupational Therapy and in 1995 took the opportunity to work in the USA for 2 years with children from the Native American population and has worked in paediatrics ever since. On returning to the UK, she worked in London and then locally with Solent NHS Trust with children with a variety of challenges including Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Coordination Disorder and Dyspraxia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Integrative difficulties, physical and learning disabilities.

She has a special interest in early years plus significant experience in mainstream and special school settings. Jo makes therapy fun and motivating ensuring that every challenge is achievable. She is committed to developing a child’s potential, working towards increased participation, occupation and independence while focusing on collaborative goals which are functional and a priority for the child.

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Jo is Bobath trained and working towards becoming a Sensory Integration practitioner. She is a member of Council of Professionals Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM), The Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT), and The Children and Young People Specialist Section. She is also a member of the SI network. 

Diane qualified from the University College of London with a master’s degree in Speech and Language Therapy Sciences in 2005. She is a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and is registered with the Health Professions Council.

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Diane has a history of working in special schools and over 14 years of experience working in the field of complex needs. She has knowledge of conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, autism, Down Syndrome, sensory impairments, traumatic brain injuries and has developed her knowledge in a number of specific areas such as social communication, attention and listening and development of speech sounds.

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She has a special interest in augmentative and alternative communication both high and low-tech and is passionate about a Total Communication approach.

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Diane also holds a post-basic dysphagia qualification and has knowledge of assessing, supporting, advising on complex eating and drinking difficulties.

Claire qualified as an OT from Derby School of Occupational Therapy.  She is a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT) and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. 

Claire began her career working in the NHS and moved to the private sector in 2009.  She has specific interests in working with Autism Spectrum Condition and Learning Disability.    

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Claire is passionate about supporting children and young people to reach their maximum potential by working alongside them to develop their independence in daily living. 

She has experience working within mental health teams and has training in Sensory Integration

Over the past 25 years, working as a registered music therapist, Rachel has used music in a wide variety of health, education and community settings – working with children and adults of all ages.

After working at the Royal Hospital for Neuro Disability in London, Rachel moved to Dorset in 2001.

In addition to the work she does with Total Children’s Therapy, Rachel works with adults with acquired brain injury. Rachel is a member of the British Association for Music Therapy and is state registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. She plays the flute and piano.

Simone is an integral part of the team who coordinates the day-to-day running of the practice.

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She also works as a therapy assistant with our therapy team. Her background has enabled her to bring her years of experience working with children to her work at TCT. NNEB qualified for over 20 years Simone has worked in a variety of childcare settings: day nurseries, playgroups and schools in a variety of roles such as a TA and 1:1.

Her area of specialist interest is early years. Simone combines her considerable experience working with children with her natural warmth and enthusiasm resulting in a knowledgeable approach to working with children and families in a friendly, caring and fun way.

Charlotte had worked part-time at TCT as a therapy assistant since 2015. She has built up her experience working with various members of the therapy team and as a result her skills and versatility has grown over the years.

Her empathy and calm steady nature are an asset to the team. She is friendly, enthusiastic, and always happy to help out.

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She assists on 1:1 sessions, groups and our ‘fun days/events’. Charlotte also helps out on the clerical side when required. In addition, she also has support worker experience and has worked with both verbal and non-verbal children.

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Her role as a therapy assistant allows her to support the therapists and practitioners across the range of services at TCT. This then allows 'an extra pair of hands' or another adult in the session when required.

Dr Mughal graduated in 1989 and was trained as General Paediatrician. After working as a Consultant Paediatrician in general paediatrics for a year then moved to Community Paediatrics in 2006. After the initial training in London (St Mary’s hospital in Paddington), Dr Mughal worked as a Consultant Community Paediatrician in Dorset County Hospital then later worked at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London from July 2008 till December 2009. He then moved to Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey as lead Community Paediatrician and Head of Community Paediatric department. He worked at Frimley Park Hospital for 7 years before joining Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in February 2016 as Consultant Community Paediatrician and Designated Doctor for looked after children. He still works at Poole Hospital as Consultant Community Paediatrician and joined the TCT team for private work.

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Dr Mughal has vast experience, especially in the field of Neurodevelopmental conditions (ASD and ADHD) which is his special interest. Our ASD & ADHD assessment service at TCT is run by an assessment team headed by Dr Mughal.

Currently on maternity leave

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Katy is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and is also registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). She is a member of the Association of Child Psychologists in Private Practice (ACHIPP).

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Katy qualified as an Educational Psychologist from the University of Southampton in 2012 and has experience of working in both child and adult psychological services. Katy has worked in schools since 2007 and has taught thinking skills and philosophy classes to primary aged children. Since qualifying Katy has worked with Poole Borough Council and now works as an independent practitioner. 

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Katy has a wide range of experience working with children and young people experiencing difficulties with learning, emotions, behaviour, sensory needs, friendship difficulties, social and communication difficulties and complex Special Educational Needs and medical difficulties. In the past she has trained Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs) and supervises their practise across the local area.

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Katy completed her doctoral thesis in the area of Attachment Theory and she has completed additional post-doctoral qualifications to assess Attachment through play in school-aged children. Katy has worked as the Lead Educational Psychologist for Looked after Children in Poole and has been a member of the Virtual School for Looked After Children. Furthermore, Katy is able to deliver therapeutic sessions with children, young people and their carers or families using a range of methods including Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP). She is Level 1 trained in DDP. She has worked in a variety of settings including nurseries, schools, colleges, children’s centres and hospitals. Katy has also worked with Poole Hospital as part of the Complex Developmental Disorder Team (CDDT) to assess Autistic Spectrum Disorder and she offers training to parents and school staff in this area.

Karen is a Chartered Educational Psychologist. She is a member of The British Psychological Society, Association of Educational Psychologists and registered with the Health Professionals Council.

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Karen qualified as a teacher and then became an Educational Psychologist in 1983. She worked in a multi-disciplinary team in a specialist school before joining Leicestershire local authority as an E.P. in 1989. Karen moved to Bournemouth in 1996 and currently works part-time for a local authority.

She has developed specialist knowledge in the areas of specific learning difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, emotional and behavioural difficulties and early years work. She also delivers a wide range of training to schools.

Karen enjoys working with children and young people of all ages. She works in a consultative way with the young person, their family and the educational provision. Her aim is to help young people fulfil their potential with the support of the adults around them. 

Planned maternity leave early summer 2023

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Tanya is a Clinical Psychologist and is a registered practitioner psychologist with the HCPC). Prior to training as a clinical psychologist, Tanya worked as a CBT therapist and continues to hold accreditation by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). She is also trained to foundation level in Systemic Therapy.

She has 12 years of experience working across a number of different health and mental health settings, including private, voluntary and the NHS. She has experience in providing psychological assessment and therapy to people with a range of psychological and cognitive difficulties including depression, anxiety disorders (including OCD), PTSD, complex PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, learning disability and dementia. Tanya has experience working therapeutically with both children and adults with autistic spectrum conditions and is able to adapt her therapeutic approach to suit the needs of the individual or family she is working with.

Tanya's doctoral thesis involved studying specific features of OCD and she has a special interest in working with this condition. In addition to her core training, Tanya has completed a wealth of training in additional therapeutic modalities including Compassion FocusedTherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing.

Tanya is passionate about providing the highest level of care and service to the people she works with and prides herself on building positive therapeutic relationships with every individual and family that she sees.

Kate is a clinical psychologist who is passionate about working alongside children and adolescents and their families. Kate specialises in working with young people with neurodiversity and intellectual disabilities.

She obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from Oxford University in 2009. She has since worked in an inpatient adolescent unit and in specialist residential schools for children with ASD.

Kate has been the principal psychologist for an NHS-based community mental health service for children with intellectual disabilities for over a decade.

Kate is experienced in undertaking neurodevelopmental assessments to support in making accurate diagnoses where appropriate and in supporting young people and their families to understand the strengths and difficulties, as well as emotional and behavioural challenges that children may be struggling with.

Kate is also experienced in working using a range of therapeutic modalities including CBT and systemic approaches. Kate is also a Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) Practitioner and has found that this approach can be supportive and empowering when looking to improve communication and relationships with children and young people, which can often underlie emotional and behavioural challenges.

Planned maternity leave early summer 2023

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Vicky is registered with the Health Care Professionals Council and a member of the Association of Educational Psychologists. She qualified as a secondary school science teacher in 2015 before studying to become an Educational Psychologist at the University of Southampton in 2017.

Vicky worked as an educational psychologist for two years at a local authority before beginning work at TCT. She currently works part-time for the local authority alongside her role with us. Her favourite part about her job is meeting the children and young people and hearing about the way they see the world.

She has a passion for working with children and young people with social emotional and mental health needs, and completed her thesis looking at the influence of self-esteem on the mental health of young people who had been bullied.

Vicky loves working with children and young people of all ages and works in a variety of different ways depending on what is needed in the situation. She is always keen to gather the views of the young person, parents and school staff and will support you in working together to create an environment where the young person can thrive and achieve their goals. 

Debbi has worked in a wide variety of teams and settings over the years and has a very good understanding of child development, facilitating parenting programmes, along with her extensive knowledge of what is available in the local community and of interventions that are available to children, young people and families.

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Her experience allows her to make informed decisions and offer support to those she is working with as well as any professionals she liaises with.

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One of her particular skills is good communication and the ability to work alongside workers from all disciplines and to ensure agreement and promotion of effective services for families. Debbi enjoys working in partnership with others and is respectful that all will have something to offer and can learn from each other.

Caroline started her career as a nurse before moving on to work in therapeutic residential care with young children, where she developed a therapeutic living environment for children who had experienced trauma. Her training in counselling/psychological therapy started in 1983 when she worked in a Family Support Centre. She completed the Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling in 1996 at Manchester University. Since then she has attended many other courses related to working with children, including a Post Graduate Diploma in Family Practice (Family Therapy) from the University of Reading. She has also completed Theraplay Level 2 and is working towards her final accreditation.

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She is a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and also the Association of Family Therapy (AFT) – working within their ethical guidelines. She works with children and families in a creative, therapeutic way, along with play, story work etc, as well as talking therapy. 

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She always endeavours to create a warm and accepting environment in which children and families can feel safe and supported and can therefore explore their concerns, fears, worries, and feelings. In addition to her work at Total Children’s Therapy, Caroline also works for CAMHS in East Dorset.

Cathy is a member of The British Psychological Society and qualified from the Open University with an honours degree in Psychology in 2017. She has worked in education for 25 years in Primary Settings and has vast experience of supporting parents/carers and children.

She has undertaken a variety of posts: SEN 1:1 Teaching Assistant, Deputy Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-ordinator, and Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead.

Cathy combines her years of experience working with children, parents and outside agencies and is passionate about supporting the needs of her families in a friendly and supportive manner.

Sarah is a qualified teacher and has been working in education for 25 years, predominantly in the secondary setting. She has 20 years experience of working with SEND young people and their families, outside agencies and school staff. She has been a SENCO in three different schools, Advisory Teacher for the Local Authority, Designated Teacher for LAC and Deputy Safeguarding Lead. She is a qualified Assessor for Exam Access Arrangements.

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Sarah is a passionate educator and advisor who uses her years of experience and knowledge to provide support and guidance to both young people and their families/ care givers, through the education and SEND processes.

She offers personalised and creative solutions to engage with young people and support parents/carers in a compassionate and professional manner, working collaboratively with young people, families, outside agencies, schools to ensure the best possible outcomes for the young person.

Laura has been an educational practitioner for 21 years starting her career whilst studying Psychology and working for a local specialist school as a teaching assistant, residential support worker and providing respite in the community for families and their children with autism.

Qualifying as a teacher in 2005, Laura was struck by the breadth of neurodiversity and complex need in mainstream schools. With this capturing her interest, Laura continued her journey in education with increasing responsibility and specialism: Classroom Teacher, Specialist Lead Teacher, Deputy Manager Specialist Resourced Provision, SENCo, Safeguarding Lead and Assistant Headteacher across Early Years, primary, middle, specialist and secondary school settings. Laura is now a local authority advisory teacher for Children in Care (CIC) and Care Experienced Young People (CEYP).

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Laura collaborates with Bournemouth University’s Psychology department to deliver lectures and seminars on ‘Inclusion’ and ‘Working with Parents’, alongside developing educational research with the department. This complements her own research completed as part of her MSc Psychology, ‘Social camouflaging and adolescents with autism: managing the mainstream environment.’ She has particular interest in the field of autism and masking.

Laura’s experience has contributed to a strong awareness of the dynamic influences on an individual’s life and the importance of approaching problem-solving from a person-centred and strengths-based position – the voices of children and young people and those of their caregivers are central to how she works.

Laura is able to offer consultation and support to schools and will also guide and support families who would benefit from early intervention and a Lead Professional to coordinate services to help them move forward and bring it all together.

Emily graduated from her BSc Psychology with Child and Language Development degree in June 2017. Since then, she has completed her Rainbow Kids Yoga 3-day and 95-hour training courses.

She was inspired to take these courses since being a passionate dancer from the age of 3, she wanted to combine both her love for dance and keeping active in a fun way with mindfulness and stress relaxation techniques learned in her degree and on the courses.

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The yoga courses offered Emily a real insight into the importance of a healthy body and mind balance which she includes with the children, families, and young people she works with.

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Emily has a real love for working with children and has regularly assisted at TCT and led dance lessons over the years at her former dance school as well as teaching ballet lessons for children with SEN at TCT during the holidays.

Sandy has joined the TCT team to help organise and co-ordinate our gold standard paediatrician clinics.

Sandy books and oversees the enquiries and appointments and then runs one of the weekly clinics.

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Her efficiency, organisational skills, can-do attitude and ready smile, make her perfect for this role.

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Prior to TCT Sandy worked in a busy corporate environment, their loss is our gain, and we think we are very lucky to have her on the team.

Toto joined the TCT Team to carry out a very special role helping us in lots of important ways. As a very caring and friendly panda, Toto will:

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• be aware of any brave children who have been in hospital or have been poorly

• listen out for any kind things our children may do

• enjoy hearing about any special events from our children

• love to celebrate with our families when something special or momentous is achieved.

Toto will sometimes send messages to the children, or award certificates or stickers. There may even be times that a mini Toto is sent in the post.

Toto will also attend any events that we run and will occasionally visit the clinic... but only if everyone knows about it – Toto wouldn’t arrive unannounced!

Andrew is a Family Therapist. He trained as a Supervisor at the Tavistock in London and now supervises staff in the NHS, independent practice, and local schools.