Kate Armstrong-Taylor

After completing a Psychology degree at the University of Edinburgh, Kate began her career in Human Resources. Following training as an executive coach, she developed a growing interest in the early experiences that shape individuals and their relationships. This led her to undertake a master’s degree in Developmental Psychoanalytic Psychology at the Anna Freud Centre.

After taking a break to focus on family life, Kate went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma at Place2Be. She subsequently developed her own therapeutic practice, working with children and their parents within primary school settings.

Kate later returned to Place2Be while continuing to run her private practice. She has built extensive experience in working with children and young people in schools as a clinician, supervisor, and manager. Extending her work into digital settings, Kate worked at Kooth Plc as a Service Manager before joining the Place2Be Level 4 Diploma programme as Joint Lead. Kate is an accredited member of the BACP.

She also runs a private practice in Kent, supporting children and parents. Her work is informed by the Place2Be model, using an integrative approach with a strong emphasis on relationship as the foundation for safe and effective practice.

Isabel Squirrell

Isabel started her career as a teaching assistant supporting children with additional needs in schools and ran arts workshops in care homes for those with dementia. Through these experiences, she discovered the power of play and the arts to build a therapeutic relationship, which inspired her to train as a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education. After her Masters, she gained UKCP registration and went on to work with a wide range of children, adolescents and their parents in schools and at her private practice near Alexandra Palace, where she has a small team of psychotherapists that she supervises. Isabel is particularly interested in providing parents with ways to support their child's mental health. She designs and delivers seminars for parents and teachers and runs parent programmes at the Brandon Centre in Camden.

Kamara Katama Atkinson

Kamara has a background in school chaplaincy. She completed her PGdip with the University of East London while working in sixth form education and worked as a Place2Be counsellor on placement in primary education before working as a school project manager in a Place2Be secondary school.

Kamara maintains a small private practice and has a particular interest in the use of play, movement, and creativity in the therapeutic relationship.

Carleen Kirk

After completing a Business Degree in the Netherlands and moving to the UK for her first job, Carleen retrained in Counselling and Psychotherapy. She completed a foundation diploma in counselling and psychotherapy at the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education and went on to provide one-to-one support to children with special educational needs whilst undertaking Psychoanalytical Observational Studies training at the Tavistock.

At Victim Support, Carleen supported young victims of crimes and piloted a restorative justice programme with the Sutton Youth Offending Team, which fuelled her passion for early intervention. She has experience working as a school counsellor in both primary and secondary schools, including setting up a whole school project. Carleen has a passion for children and young people’s voices and has been involved in the Learning Together research project led by UCL, which aims to improve wellbeing in schools.

She completed the L3 and the Post Graduate Diploma at Place2Be herself and after becoming a tutor on the Programme, she became Acting Lead and has subsequently taken on the role of Programme Lead. She runs a small private practice and has a particular interest in intergenerational trauma, compassion focussed therapy, transpersonal perspectives and the mind body connection. She is an accredited member of the BACP.

Analy Reed

After studying for her chemistry degree, Analy retrained as a Montessori teacher before enrolling on the Postgraduate Diploma for Counselling Children and Young People in Schools with Place2Be. She completed further training to work with couples and individuals and in Psychopathology.

Analy currently works with children, young people, parents and adults at Rephael House Counselling Centre while running her Private Practice using psychodynamic, relational and attachment-based techniques. She is a member of BACP.

Eleni Vambouli

With an academic background in philosophy, Eleni trained as a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education. She has worked for over ten years in both primary and secondary schools, setting up, supervising and running therapeutic services and offering support to children, families and staff.

Eleni maintains a clinical and supervision practice. She is particularly interested in treating inter-generational trauma and integrating neuro-scientific research into therapeutic processes.

Esther Pozzani

Esther has a background in outdoor learning and Forest School. She trained with Place2Be to gain a PGDip and master's and has worked within Place2Be school services for over eight years. Esther is an accredited member of the BACP.

Samia Quddus

Samia initially trained as a primary school teacher, working in schools for over 15 years, during which she developed an interest in working with pupils exhibiting challenging needs. She specialised in the special educational needs (SEN) area of social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) before re-training as a specialist child and adolescent therapist with Place2Be.

Samia is a published BACP writer and has self-published the UK’s first psychospiritual Islamic gratitude journal and an award-winning children's title. She still works as a clinician in secondary schools and appears on Islam Channel discussing mental health and wellbeing-related topics.

Elena Konstantinova

Elena qualified with a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling for Children and Adolescents from the University of Cambridge. She developed a keen interest in clinical practice in schools and has undertaken research into therapists’ experiences in secondary schools in the UK, earning her a Masters degree.

Elena has experience working therapeutically with children, adolescents and their families in different settings. She currently works as a BACP Accredited Counsellor/ Psychotherapist in schools and has a small private practice. Elena uses relational, child-centred approach, informed by psychodynamic perspective and current neurobiological research. Her area of interest lies in embodied practice and regulation of nervous system using play, arts, music and drama. She is also a member of UKCP.

In her free time, Elena enjoys walks outdoors and reading.

Maya Gadd

Maya comes from a creative background, studying Interaction Design at The University of Arts, London before working as a Researcher at the BBC and going on to join editorial teams on a range of documentaries. She retrained in psychotherapy, completing an MA in Psychotherapy and Psychodynamic Counselling at Goldsmiths, University of London, with Distinction for her thesis on race, cultural diversity and group psychology.

Maya has worked across clinical and educational settings in Brighton and Sussex, and as a Family Practitioner with Place2Be, delivering therapeutic support in schools. She is the Founder of Third Therapy, a private psychotherapy practice, and has a particular specialism in intersectional identity within the therapeutic space. She is a BACP-accredited psychotherapist.

Matthew Audley

Matthew is a UKCP registered psychotherapist with over thirty years experience in private practice with individuals, couples and groups. He has also trained as a Group Analyst with the Institute of Group Analysis as well as with the Tavistock and Portman in Consulting to Leadership and Organisations. He has worked extensively as a supervisor, trainer and group facilitator in educational, health and voluntary settings.

Sally Stamp

Sally completed a degree in English Literature from York University and then taught Drama and Basic Education in men’s prisons in London before training as a Dramatherapist at the University of Hertfordshire. She worked in forensic settings as a dramatherapist, including Adolescent Secure Units, men’s prisons and a Regional Secure Unit. She then trained as a Group Analyst (Institute of Group Analysis and Birkbeck College). Following this she has worked in NHS Adult Mental Health community services as a group analyst and reflect practice facilitator, and was a Clinical Lead for Complex Emotional Needs Services (Personality Disorder). She has also worked with Third Sector organisations. She has a private practice.

Paul Lucia

Paul has worked at Place2Be since 2015 in various positions, initially working in our placements team supporting counsellors on placement, before working on our professional qualifications and most recently managing all Mental Health & Wellbeing Programmes training for schools, teacher training institutions and youth groups. He has overseen the rollout and delivery of the Mental Health Champions - Foundation programme, Senior Mental Health Leads, and Staffroom.

As Programme Manager for qualifying courses Paul holds responsibility for the operational running of the programme, working closely with the clinicians, wider operational team and external partners. Paul has an academic background in Psychology and in his own time has completed a Level 3 in Counselling Skills. Paul’s professional interests are in supporting wellbeing in the workplace and increasing knowledge around mental health to better support open conversations. Paul is also a big fan of dogs, film & TV, nature and food!

Elizeh Basim

Elizeh joined Place2Be as a Programme Coordinator for the Postgraduate Diploma Programme after completing her graduate degree at the London School of Economics.

Originally from Hawai'i, Elizeh began her career working for the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Senate where she gained experience in public policy, programme coordination and government affairs. In 2023, she moved to London to pursue her graduate studies. After, she shifted her focus on non-profit work, volunteering for the Gender and Development Network and joining Place2Be.

Outside of work, Elizeh enjoys reading, watching films, travelling, and searching for the best poke in London.