About Kinsley
Kinsley (Kirsty) Hartgrove MBACP
Kinsley is first and foremost a Mum to 5 children. Her children range from 14 - 5 years of age. 4 are neurodivergent, with varying diagnosis's including Autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, dyslexia, Pathological Demand Avoidance and Tourettes.
Kinsley is also neurodivergent herself (ADHD combined type) and uses her own experiences to help others who are struggling with life.
Kinsley has always had a passion for children's mental health and started her work in the youth sector. Kinsley worked for Papworth trust as their lead youth worker running their youth groups for young people with special educational needs.
Kinsley completed her foundation degree in integrative counselling at The University of Suffolk in December 2016.
During her training Kinsley carried out placements at Survivors in transition (a service dedicated to survivors of childhood sexual abuse) and an Autism Service in Ipswich.
After qualifying Kinsley worked for an Autism Service as their Autism Support Practitioner and registered Counsellor.
In 2018 Kinsley completed her diploma in counselling children and adolescents with distinction and also her postgraduate advanced certificate in Creative Art and therapeutic play, allowing her to work therapeutically with children from the ages of 4.
Kinsley went on to set up her own practice in 2018 having a break for maternity leave during 2019-2021, she came back and set up the happy parent and child initiative.
In 2022 Kinsley went on to train as a Parent Coach and qualified as a certified Parent coach with the Jai Institute for Parenting.
Kinsley is continuing her studies by completing regular CPD training.
She is also completing her Postgraduate Certificate in therapeutic play skills through PTUK.
After this she hopes to go on to complete her masters in Psychology.
Why Kinsley set up Happy Parent & Child Initiative
It was after Kinsley had experienced first hand the heartbreak and lack of support for autistic children with regards to their mental health.
"After watching my own son struggle with emotional based school avoidance and school trauma and getting no help from the NHS due to over stretched services and wait times, we were in crisis and no where to turn. At the time no parental support was offered either and I knew this needed to change. I didn't want other Parents have to watch their children spiral into crisis whilst they waited for mental health services.
I was put on Parent courses that used behavioural modification techniques and didn't understand the full ramifications or outcomes that using those types of parenting techniques had on my neurodivergent burnt out children. I wanted to Parent from understanding and Empathy; using therapeutic techniques that wouldn't trigger a demand avoidant child"
And so, The Happy Parent and Child Initiative was born.
Training and CPD
Professional Training
Integrative Counselling - FDa - University of Suffolk (2016)
Counselling Children and Adolecents - Diploma - Open Academies - 2018
Creative arts and Therapeutic Play with children - post grad Advanced certificate - Life force - 2018
Parent Coach - Certification - Jai Institute for Parenting - 2022
CBT - Certificate - 2023
Advanced CBT - Certificate - Ongoing
couples counselling - counselling academy - Ongoing
Creative art interventions for children with ADHD, Autism and other developmental differences - PESI - 2024
Association for counselling and play therapy - Postgraduate certificate in therapeutic play skills - April 2024 - ongoing
Advanced Certificate - working with Couples (counselling). - 2024
CPD
Kinsley Engages in Regular CPD trainings at 50 hours per year. Here are some examples of the recent CPD trainings she has done
AUTPLAY - An Introduction
Using Exposure Response Therapy with OCD Individuals
Autism Spectrum disorder
Attachment based play interventions
safeguarding Children - NSPCC (Completed every 2 years)
stress trauma and the adaptive brain
neuro-dramatic play and puppets part 1 & 2
trauma and dissociation
Supporting Parents to use Pace
Low Arousal Techniques and strategies
creating a sensory affirming office and playroom
eating disorders
supporting anxious children and teenagers
managing anxiety and trauma
working with shame
Using Minecraft and digital sand trays in online and teletherapy.
You may notice that Kinsley‘s BACP membership, DBS and any legal documents and CPD are registered in her legal name (Kirsty Hartgrove), Kinsley is her preferred name and uses this in everyday life and with clients.
Training and CPD
Sarah's training
1987 BSc Food Science and Nutrition and Biology (Oxford Polytechnic)
1990 Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) 3 - 8 years (University of Roehampton, London)
2004 MEd Special Education (University of Birmingham)
2023 MA Psychodynamic Counselling Children and Adolescents (University of Essex)
Sarah's recent CPD
University of Essex Group Relations Conference 2021, 2022
East Anglian Psychotherapy Network Conference 2022
Family Partnership Facilitator Course (The Centre for Parent and Child Support); approver trainer
Autism Education Trust (AET) Making sense of Autism; approved AET trainer for Essex SEND service
Understanding Sensory Processing (Sensory Integration Network)
Intensive Interaction
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
Social Stories (Carol Gray approved)
Supporting Behaviour Change (Challenging Behaviour Foundation).
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