Our waiting list is currently closed, whilst we catch up. Thank you for your patience
About Us
Born from Personal Experience...
The Happy Parent & Child Initiative was founded in 2022 by Kinsley, driven by her personal experience of the heartbreak and lack of support for autistic children in relation to their mental health.
"After watching my own son struggle with emotionally-based school avoidance and school trauma, and receiving no help from the NHS due to overstretched services and long wait times, we were in crisis with nowhere to turn. At that time, no parental support was available - I knew something needed to change. I didn’t want other parents to watch their children spiral into crisis while waiting for mental health services...
I was placed on parenting courses that used behavioural modification techniques, which didn’t take into account the full impact those methods had on my neurodivergent, PDA, burnt-out children.
I wanted to parent with understanding and empathy, using therapeutic techniques that wouldn’t trigger my demand-avoidant child."
And so, The Happy Parent & Child Initiative was born.
At The Happy Parent & Child Initiative, we believe that every child & family can Thrive.
Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for families to explore their strengths and challenges, and develop the skills they need to thrive.
Download our Company's Mission Statement
The Happy Parent & Child Initiative strives to enhance the well-being of children and their families by celebrating childhood and advocating for relationships rooted in nurtured attachment.
We provide space for children to guide their own healing through play, while empowering parents and educators with the therapeutic skills to raise confident, happy children both at home and in school.
Want to take the next step?
- Deep respect for both the child and the Parent/carers – Honouring each person’s uniqueness.
- Neuroaffirming – Embracing every child’s neurodivergence.
- Compassion and empathy – Supporting with understanding and kindness.
- Collaboration – Creating lasting change together.
- Ethical & Nurturing – Fostering safe, supportive spaces.
- Advocate – Challenging outdated parenting models.
- Importance of attachments – Building secure, trusting bonds.
Meet Our Team
Kinsley (Kirsty) Hartgrove
Kinsley (Kirsty) Hartgrove
Kinsley (Kirsty) Hartgrove
Director, Integrative & Creative Art and Therapeutic Play - Adult, Child & Adolescent Counsellor MBACP.
Kinsley is the dedicated mother of five and the passionate founder of The Happy Parent & Child Initiative. With over 12 years of experience as a counsellor, Kinsley brings both professional expertise and personal insight as an ADHD mother to neurodivergent children (including ASD, ADHD, PDA, and Tourette’s). She is deeply committed to supporting both children and their parents/carers through her lived experience and therapeutic approach.
- BACP registered Adult, Child & Adolescent Integrative Counsellor.
- Creative art and therapeutic Play based therapist.
- Jai Certified Parent Coach
- Trainee BACP Supervisor.
Sarah Lock
Kinsley (Kirsty) Hartgrove
Kinsley (Kirsty) Hartgrove
Psychodynamic Child and Adolescent Counsellor MBACP
Sarah, a former primary teacher with 18 years of experience in Essex SEND services, retrained as a child/adolescent psychotherapist in 2020, combining her expertise in supporting autistic children and their families with a focus on emotional well-being
- BACP Registered Child & Adolecent Counsellor
Luke Hartgrove
Kinsley (Kirsty) Hartgrove
Luke Hartgrove
Admin, Business Manager & Accounts
With over 15 years of experience in the motor trade and having established his own business, Luke possesses extensive knowledge in all aspects of business operations. Starting his career as an accountant, he has developed a strong expertise in finance and numbers. Luke is DBS checked and volunteers at his children's primary school. As a father of five, he also has valuable lived experience supporting neurodivergent children. Luke supports the running of administration tasks and the finances of Happy Parent & Child Initiative.
Kinsley (Kirsty) Hartgrove MBACP
I am a mum to five children, four of whom are neurodivergent, and I am also neurodivergent myself (ADHD – combined type). My personal journey has shaped my deep passion for supporting children’s mental health.
I actually began my career on the West End stage, but due to illness, I had to choose a different path. With a love for psychology and a natural ability to listen, I initially trained as a children's nurse before moving into the youth sector, where I led SEN youth groups for the Papworth Trust. In 2013, I retrained as an integrative counsellor, which allowed me to combine my passion for mental health with direct therapeutic support.
I was privileged to work with Survivors in Transition and an Autism Service in Ipswich, gaining invaluable experience supporting adults, children and families.
Since 2018, I have specialised in working therapeutically with children using creative arts and play, first establishing my own practice and later founding The Happy Parent & Child Initiative.
As a certified Parent Coach, I continue to expand my knowledge and skills and am currently completing further postgraduate studies.
Sarah Lock
Hello, I'm Sarah
I was a former primary teacher. I spent 18 years as a Specialist Preschool Teacher with Essex SEND services, supporting autistic children and their families. I have extensive experience helping parents understand their child’s needs, guiding school transitions, securing support funding, advising educators, and contributing to EHCPs. In 2020, I retrained as a child and adolescent psychotherapist, earning an MA in Psychodynamic Counselling, with a focus on autistic pupils transitioning to secondary school.
Welcome to Happy Parent & Child Initiative!
Due to an increase in demand for our services, our waiting list for child therapy is currently closed.
We are working hard to accommodate all families, and we appreciate your patience during this time.
Please check back for updates on availability.
Thank you for understanding.