Candia is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in working with children and young people. She has focused her work with clients from extremely challenging backgrounds, who have experienced trauma or neglect, often coupled with additional needs, neurological differences, sensory processing difficulties or learning disabilities. Her prior experience is in the charitable sector; offering therapy in mainstream schools, alternative education units and dedicated centres for vulnerable children and young people.

Candia supports children and young people to achieve their daily and life goals through achievable steps and thought through goals. She works with clients to understand their self-care, leisure and education/work/play strengths and needs, aiming to increase their self-esteem, self-efficacy and simply their enjoyment of the world. She does this work with a deep understanding of the effects of trauma and attachment issues on the everyday life of children and young people.

She also focuses on her clients sensory processing needs. Often the children and young people who has experience trauma are stuck in the freeze, or ‘fight or flight’ mode with adrenalin coursing through them, Candia has experience of addressing their sensory needs to offer regulation and increased stability. She is currently studying Sensory Attachment Intervention, an integrative approach focusing on modulating the body senses that have been aroused through trauma and neglect.

Candia’s other area of experience is working with children and young adults on the Autistic Spectrum. She has recently trained in LEGO®-based therapy, a specialist training for health professionals to support those on the Autistic Spectrum.

Member of:

  • Registered and regulated by Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
  • Member of British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT) and College of Occupational Therapists (COT)
  • Member of College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section – Independent Practise (COTSS-IP)
  • SAI level 1 – Certified therapist
    É Bhreathnach M.Sc – Sensory Attachment Intervention Consultancy, July 2021
  • BA (Hons) Communication Studies with Sociology
    Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge 1997-2000
  • PGdip Occupational Therapy
    University of Brighton 2007-2009
  • MSc Health through Occupation
    University of Brighton 2008-2009
  • Assessment and Integration of Primitive Reflexes
    American Occupational Therapy Association, 10.5 hours, 18th March 2024
  • Focus on the Nervous System to Change Behaviour
    Robyn Gobble, 1.5 hours, 19th January 2024
  • Beyond Behaviours: Effective Neuroscience­ based Tools to Transform Childhood Behaviours
    PESI, February 2023
  • A trauma-informed approach to postural control and praxis
    Éadaoin Bhreathnach, 22 hours, June 2022
  • Introduction to ecosensory therapy approach and practice
    Ecosensory Therapy, July 2021
  • The BUSS model; Building underdeveloped sensorimotor systems in children who have experienced developmental trauma – level 1 and 2
    BUSS Model Ltd, July 2021
  • The Power of the Senses; re-building sensory systems and supporting regulation in children impacted by early trauma
    Beacon House Online Training, 6 hours, May 2021
  • Building under-developed sensorimotor systems – BUSS
    Sarah Lloyd, Zoom Webinar, five hours, 23rd October 2020
  • Introduction to sensory integration and yoga
    Sensory Integration Education, one day, September 2020
  • Beacon House in-house training
    September 2020
  • Developmental trauma for professionals
    12 hours
  • Attachment and psychopathology, Dr Patricia Crittenden The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
    December 2017
  • Sensory Attachment Intervention (SAI) Level 1
    Completed courses in 2017, working towards final accreditation
  • LEGO®-based therapy – improving social communication skills
    Bricks for Autism, endorsed by Cambridge University Autism Research Centre, 2016
  • Train the trainer
    Accenture 2012
  • Violence and abuse in relationships
    Respect and Kids Company 2012
  • What matters to every child
    Kids Company 2011
  • Working with those affected by ADHD
    Kids Company, The Studio and Kings College 2011
  • Professional placement educators preparatory course
    University of Brighton 2010
  • Somatic experiences techniques
    RAPt 2010
  • Child protection awareness; Child protection skills; protecting children: developing basic awareness
    AKAMAS 2009/2010
  • Health and wellbeing in education, NEC
    Sterling Events 2009