Continuing Professional Development
This Can Happen Conference
My continuing professional development is an integral part of my work as a therapist. My commitment to ongoing training and development is essential to me as an individual and to my practice. This ensures I am in a position to offer my clients the support they deserve. I also place a lot of importance on making sure I spend time doing things that are important to me and that help inform my work and practice.
An example of this is that in the last few years I have been engaged with the 'This Can Happen' Conference, where companies address Mental Health in the Work Place. After the inaugural Conference, that was attended by HRH The Duke of Cambridge, I worried whether the atmosphere and content of the Conference could be replicated. I needn’t have been concerned. In 2019 1000 delegates from 180 companies and 90 speakers gathered at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre to address the growing need for change in attitudes towards mental health in the work place and what companies have already put in place since last year. This year, the Conference took place online and was as well supported as ever.
Part of the motivation for the Conference was research carried out by Accenture. This showed the need to reappraise young workers entering the work place. They often feel more pressure than their senior colleagues. 77% of young workers will have experienced a mental health challenge by the time they are 30. 1 in 5 18-30 year olds have self -harmed, 48% have had suicidal thoughts.
The annual Conference focuses on the huge gap that employers have to fill if they want a successful work place. It needs to start with leadership: Chief Executives being able to stand up and talk about their own struggles with mental health issues to bring about a cultural change.
Here is a short video that provides an insight into the work of the latest Conference from November 2021
Work/Life Balance
I have been working with a company, @03, that delivers webinars to enlightened companies and organisations to help employees manage their work life balance. I worked with Barclays in how we navigate major changes in our relationships when a first baby arrives and when children leave home. With Deloitte we explored why we need relationships and how to keep them alive and growing with all the challenges that confront our lives.
Supporting Jewish Students in former Yugoslavia
I work with a charity that raises money to support Jewish students in former Yugoslavia (Serbia, Bosnia and Poland) through their university studies and beyond. Some have experienced lasting effects of war and unemployment in their families.
A highlight of my working year is my annual working trip to Sarajevo in Bosnia and Krakow and Warsaw in Poland to meet the students individually. I offer help with any difficulties they may be experiencing.
Update on my work in Sarajevo during the pandemic: Unfortunately I am unable to travel to Sarajevo this year to see the students. The situation is dire for them because their universities are not that efficient in providing online work and it is having a devastating effect on their mental health. Thankfully using Zoom, we are able to keep in touch and share their concerns and help them keep positive. But no sign of the vaccine there yet.
If you would like to discuss things further or to make an appointment, you can call me on 07976 403741 or (020) 8959 9528. Alternatively you can contact me by email by clicking here.