top of page
Image by Johann Siemens

Therapeutic Services

Our Therapeutic Approach

At 1848, our dedicated Therapy Team provides a truly integrated and trauma-informed service, designed to support children and young people in developing emotional wellbeing, resilience, healthy relationships, and a positive sense of identity. Our multidisciplinary team includes Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, and Youth Work, working together to deliver bespoke support tailored to each young person's individual needs.Our therapeutic practice is underpinned by a clearly defined psychosocial model which integrates attachment-informed, trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming and strengths-based approaches. We recognise that meaningful therapeutic change does not happen solely within a therapy session; it is achieved through consistent, nurturing relationships and therapeutic experiences throughout a young person's daily life. For this reason, we adopt a "bottom-up" approach, working closely alongside our residential teams to ensure therapeutic thinking is embedded into every aspect of care.

IMG_2565_edited.jpg

Central to our practice is Dan Hughes' PACE model (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy), which helps create emotional safety and supports children and young people to develop trust, regulate emotions, and form secure attachments. We understand that many of the young people we support have experienced adversity, trauma, loss, disrupted attachments, and challenges within education and relationships. Our role is to help them make sense of these experiences whilst developing the skills, confidence and resilience needed to move forward positively. Therapeutic support is delivered flexibly and creatively, recognising that traditional therapy rooms are not always the most effective environment. Sessions may take place in our therapy room, community settings, during activities, or through youth work and specialist interventions. Alongside direct therapeutic work, the Therapy Team provides consultation, reflective practice, bespoke training, and support to the residential teams, ensuring that every adult involved in a young person's care contributes to their therapeutic journey. We work collaboratively with local authorities, education providers, CAMHS, and other professionals to ensure a holistic and joined-up approach. Assessments and outcome measures are used to help understand each young person's strengths, needs, and progress, informing personalised therapeutic plans that focus on meaningful, achievable outcomes. Regular reviews ensure interventions remain responsive to the changing needs of each child. Ultimately, our aim is to provide safe, nurturing, and emotionally attuned environments where children and young people can feel understood, develop secure relationships, build emotional regulation skills, process difficult experiences, and achieve their full potential.

Introducing the Onsite Therapy Team

Vicky Hayward
Director
RGN, RMN, BSc (Hons) Community Health Care Nursing, Diploma of Higher Education Cognitive Behaviour Therapy/Health Studies


Vicky has worked in mental health for over thirty years which has included working in an Acute setting and within the community. She worked for CAMHS for 12 years as the self-injury nurse specialist for Somerset. In addition, she is a recognized ASIST trainer (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer) and has provided training on suicide prevention and risk for a variety of public and private organisations. She has a diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and has further qualifications as an AIM2 assessor (sexually harmful behaviour in children). Vicky is also a registered General Nurse.

Claire Tilley 
Head of Therapeutic Services
Registered Mental Health Nurse | Level 4 Accredited in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) | Level 2 Accredited in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)

 

Claire graduated from the University of Plymouth in 2020 as a Registered Mental Health Nurse during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic. Since qualifying, she has gained extensive experience across a range of healthcare settings, including forensic mental health services, nursing home care, and clinical research.

Prior to joining 1848, Claire worked as a Senior Research Nurse at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where she managed a portfolio of neurology studies. Her diverse professional background has enabled her to develop a broad range of clinical, leadership, and therapeutic skills, which she now brings to her role as Head of Therapeutic Services.

Claire has experience in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and holds a Level 4 accreditation in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), alongside a Level 2 accreditation in Trauma-Focused CBT. She incorporates evidence-based CBT and DBT-informed approaches into her therapeutic work, supporting young people to develop practical coping strategies, emotional regulation skills, and resilience.

Passionate about delivering high-quality therapeutic support, Claire is committed to ongoing professional development and looks forward to expanding the range of therapeutic interventions available to the young people she works with.

Zara Coulson
Youth Worker

 

Zara has extensive experience supporting children and young people across a variety of settings, including schools, colleges, youth hubs, youth offending services, alternative education provisions, and community-based youth work.

One of Zara's proudest achievements is completing her Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE), which reflects her commitment to continuous professional development and her passion for working with young people. This experience reinforced her belief that with determination, perseverance, and the right support, positive outcomes can be achieved.

Zara is passionate about creating safe, nurturing environments where young people feel heard, valued, and empowered. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in building trusting relationships, recognising individual strengths, and promoting resilience to help young people navigate challenges and reach their full potential.

She is committed to supporting young people to develop self-confidence, emotional wellbeing, and the skills needed to make positive choices for their future. Zara believes that with the right guidance, encouragement, and opportunities, every young person can overcome adversity, build resilience, and thrive.

Drawing on her professional experience, knowledge, and strengths-based approach, Zara is proud to be part of the team at 1848 Ltd, supporting young people to achieve meaningful and lasting change.

bottom of page