Welcome…
to the wonderful world of psychology
My name is Juliette Ttofa and I am a specialist Child & Educational Psychologist based in Stroud, Gloucestershire.
I have two Masters of Education degrees in child psychology and over twenty-five years experience working with children & young people in the fields of education, psychology & psychotherapy. Working with children is so much more than a job for me…it is my Ikigai - my reason for being, and it gives me a deep sense of purpose, satisfaction, and joy.
Background
I am deeply passionate about the mental health, resilience and wellbeing of children and young people and have supported hundreds of vulnerable children in a career in educational psychology spanning over two decades, including a specialist senior role in mental health.
I am a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a registered practitioner Educational Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). I am also a member of the Division of Educational and Child Psychology (DECP) Trauma section and work as a Registered Jungian Sandplay Therapist (STR) with the Association for Sandplay Therapy (AST).
Research
In addition to publishing several books on the topic of children’s resilience and wellbeing, I am also a doctoral researcher in the area of Transpersonal Psychology. Transpersonal Psychologists aim to merge the science of modern western psychology with the wisdom of ancient indigenous practices in order to cultivate a deeper, richer understanding of what brings about healing.
My research aims to examine how Jungian sandplay therapy addresses the psychological impact of childhood trauma and explores the transformative power of providing children with a space where they can use storytelling, active imagination and symbolism.
Specialist Work
My life’s work has been to explore the concept of human resilience – including the mechanisms underpinning the ability to heal from trauma, the capacity for healthy psychological growth and the potential for radical life-affirming transformation.
I have become more and more inspired in my work each day and believe that true resilience embraces mystery…requiring us to think prismatically, rather than focus on simple, one-dimensional answers.
Values & Influences
I now work as a freelance independent psychologist so that I can fully align my work with my values. I aim to recover the soul - or psyche - in psych-ology, and my work is heavily influenced by my love of nature, storytelling and imagination, as well as my interests in the human psyche, philosophy, spirituality, mythology and anthropology.
-
Educational Psychology
As a Specialist Educational Psychologist, I undertake holistic complex needs psychological assessments, bespoke to the child or young person. I am a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a registered practitioner Educational Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). I have extensive expertise and interest in both trauma and neurodiversity (Autism, ADHD), as well as conditions such as dyslexia.
-
Sandplay Therapy
I am a trauma specialist and specialise in several therapeutic approaches for children & young people who have experienced stressful or traumatic life events - notably sandplay therapy. I am a member of the Division of Educational and Child Psychology (DECP) Trauma section and a Registered Jungian Sandplay Therapist (STR) with the Association for Sandplay Therapy (AST). I also offer approaches such as Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Drawing & Talking.
-
Research & Training
I am a highly experienced speaker and presenter on a range of topics to do with the mental health and resilience of children and young people. I absolutely love sharing my research into transpersonal psychology, trauma and resilience with others in an engaging and creative way - and have had some lovely feedback from people who have enjoyed participating. I offer training to schools and education settings, as well as organisations like social care, the police and charities.
-
Books & Resources
I am the author of several beautifully illustrated books about social-emotional wellbeing and mental health, published by Routledge, an imprint of Taylor and Francis. I specialise in books and resources for schools and families on the topics of trauma and resilience. My latest book is a therapeutic storybook about trauma, which comes with a practical guide about using the arts therapeutically. I have also published an extensive guide for schools on nurturing the resiliency of children and young people.