I believe healing happens in safe, respectful and deeply human relationships. Everyone deserves to be seen, heard and understood within the full context of their story

Hi, my name is Laara. I am a Clinical Psychologist and I lead the Children, Young People and Families Service at Beacon House. My responsibility is both simple and significant: to ensure the therapeutic services we provide are safe, clinically robust, ethically grounded, relational and deeply human.

I bring over 25 years of experience in clinical practice, supervision and leadership, alongside specialist training in trauma-focused therapies. Prior to training as a Clinical Psychologist, I spent 15 years in the music industry and later worked with Amnesty International before moving into the health service. Those experiences, alongside my own early history have shaped how I see and interact with the world.  I have a deep respect for people’s histories, their stories, their culture, humour, pain and strength. I do not see individuals or families as problems to fix, but as human beings navigating a complex world. At the heart of my therapeutic practice is a belief in the strength and wisdom of the human spirit; in our capacity to survive, adapt, heal and grow in relationship with ourselves and one another.

I feel fortunate to lead a thoughtful, skilled multidisciplinary therapeutic team who support children, young people and families through some of life’s most painful and complicated experiences. Together, we strive to create spaces where people feel respected, where they are seen not in isolation, but within the full context of their lives.  Courage matters to us, the courage to stay with complexity and emotional pain, to build connection, to invite genuine feedback and to develop understandings that move beyond diagnostic led categories, towards meaning and growth.

Alongside my leadership role, I continue to offer therapy, supervision and consultation because it keeps me close to what matters most; that behind every referral, and every service decision is a family taking a profound relational risk in allowing themselves to be seen.  In these relationships I witness again and again the resilience and wisdom people carry, even when they cannot see it yet themselves.  It keeps my belief in the human spirit and reminds me that change and growth is rarely straightforward, progress can be quiet and therapeutic safety is built gradually through moments of genuine connection.

I take my leadership role very seriously and I am committed to contributing to an organisational environment where therapists feel supported to bring their whole selves to work, where they are listened to, respected and valued and where we create a culture of continually learning, where we are accountable to one another, and to the families we meet, and where integrity sits at the heart of our practice.

Families place enormous trust in us. I hold that trust seriously. I believe deeply that when you walk through our doors, you are entrusting us with your private and vulnerable experience. My commitment to you is that you will be met with unwavering respect and care.

Outside of work, I remain a music lover, I read thrillers to relax, and I share my life with family, friends and two dogs who keep me grounded and connected to the outdoors. I am endlessly curious about how we survive, how we make meaning, and how we heal in relationship with one another.

I am registered with the HCPC and my membership number is PYL24057

 

  • Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM)
    Dawn Harris Epione Training & Consultancy, June 2019
  • Currently Training: Part 1 of the Animal Assisted Play Therapy Course
    International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy
  • EMDR Levels One, Two and Three
    Sandra Richman, 2016 – 2017
  • Expert Witness: Essential Knowledge, Report writing
    British Psychological Society (2015)
  • Adolescent Based Mentalisation Based Treatment (AMBIT)
    Anna Freud Centre (2014)
  • Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Level 1 and Level 2
    Family Futures (2013)
  • Clinical Reliability Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
    BeginningwithA, Autism Consultancy and Training (2010)
  • Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)
    University of Exeter (2006-2009)
  • BSc Psychology
    University of East London (2003-2006)
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training
    Roshmi Lovatt, 28th January 2023
  • Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Dissociative Disorders (SCID-D)
    Remy Aquerone, The Pottergate Centre, 25th January 2021, 22nd February 2021 and 22nd March 2021
  • Therapeutic Life Story Work creative communication
    Beacon House Inhouse Training, 12th March 2020
  • Self-care for adoptive parents and our organisation
    Beacon House Inhouse Training, 26th February 2020
  • Safeguarding – the implementation of the Beacon House policy with a focus on disclosures of historical abuse
    Beacon House Inhouse Training, 12th February 2020
  • County lines and safeguarding
    Beacon House Inhouse Training, 15th January 2020
  • Advanced safeguarding training
    High Speed Training, July 2019
  • The dynamic maturational model of attachment across the lifespan
    Dr Ben Grey, Dept of Attachment Studies, University of Roehampton (one day, May 2019)
  • Trauma and attachment congress
    New York 20th, 21st & 22nd October 2017
  • Video interaction guidance basic training
    The Tavistock, May 2016
  • The prevalence, nature and severity of mental health difficulties experienced by looked after children and those adopted from care – Michael Tarren-Sweeney
    BAAF, 2 days (2013)
  • Signs of safety & wellbeing multi-agency partner training
    Wandsworth Safeguarding Board, 2 days (2013)
  • Clinical risk assessment, risk assessment training and education (RATE)
    South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust (2013)
  • Safeguarding children and young people for lead professionals (Level 3)
    Wandsworth Safeguarding Board (2013)
  • Advanced supervisors workshop, supervising narrative approaches to working with children/families
    University of Surrey (2012)
  • Advanced supervisors workshop, clinical formulation – Child and family
    University of Surrey (2012)
  • Safeguarding children level 3, domestic violence, the impact on the child
    2011
  • Serious case review, learning the lessons, British Society for the study and prevention of child abuse and neglect
    (BASPCAM) (2011)
  • Personality Disorder and parenting
    Anna Freud Centre, (2009)
  • Introduction to psychodynamic concepts: A workshop for Clinical Psychologists
    Tavistock Clinic, London, 5 days, (2009)