New for 2026 Animal Assisted Therapy

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    • Home
    • What is AAT?
    • Services
      • Autism
      • Forensic work
      • Schools & APs
    • Therapists
    • Service Animals
      • Our Residents
      • Pet Gallery
    • Fees & Booking
  • Home
  • What is AAT?
  • Services
    • Autism
    • Forensic work
    • Schools & APs
  • Therapists
  • Service Animals
    • Our Residents
    • Pet Gallery
  • Fees & Booking

Meet our therapists

Andrew MBACP Reg. Couns Psychotherapist and Animal Assisted Therapist


**Accepting New clients**


About Andrew

Andrew is a highly experienced and compassionate counsellor with over five years of work supporting individuals across mental health and community care settings. Known for his calm and down-to-earth approach, he creates a safe and welcoming space where clients can feel heard, understood, and supported.


Andrew’s professional expertise is grounded in extensive academic and practical training, including a Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, a Certificate in Higher Education in Social Care, and a Foundation Degree in Social Care. 


He has also completed focused studies in mental health, community support, and social care practice, equipping him with the knowledge to navigate complex emotional and social challenges.


With personal insight as a parent to three children on the Autism Spectrum, Andrew brings a deep understanding of neurodiverse needs and a highly skilled approach to supporting both individuals and families. 


He has experience working with a broad range of clients, including NEET young people, school refusers, and those navigating significant emotional challenges, helping them build resilience, confidence, and personal growth.


Andrew is committed to client-centered, compassionate care, underpinned by professional safeguarding training and memberships with the BACP and NCPS, ensuring ethical, safe, and effective practice. His approach is collaborative, practical, and tailored to each person, empowering clients to explore their experiences and develop the tools they need to thrive.


Core Training 


Level 5 Therapeutic Counselling - 3 years Lindum College LTD

CertHE Social Care - 600 hours - October 2020

Foundation Degree in Social Care - 3 years - July 2022


Safeguarding 


Safeguarding Children in Football Level 1 - Football Association FA - September 2023

LSCB - Level 1 Safeguarding Children -July 2019


Memberships


British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy BACP 

(01007569)

National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society NCPS (APLT619)


Additional Training 


OU - Mental Health & Community - 2021 - Level 2 

The Open University, Critical Issues in Health and wellbeing 2020

Foundations for Social Work Practice 2020 - 600 hours

Introduction to Health and social care 2018 Level 1

Contact Andrew

Steph Callaghan MBACP (Accred) Creative Psychotherapist, Sandplay and Animal Assisted Therapist

   

About Steph


Steph is a psychotherapist and integrative sandplay therapist with a passion for supporting people through trauma, personal growth, and life transitions. Drawing on over a decade of experience working with children, young people, and adults, she blends evidence-based counselling with creative, experiential approaches to help clients feel seen, heard, and understood.


Steph’s professional journey is grounded in rigorous academic and clinical training. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Forensic Psychology, has completed Psychoanalytic Infant Observation Studies, and is a BACP-registered therapist. She is also a qualified Integrative Sandplay Therapist, trained in alternative therapies such as sound healing, allowing her to offer a uniquely holistic approach to wellbeing.


Her work spans diverse settings, including early years, child and adolescent development, and forensic contexts, supporting individuals navigating trauma, attachment challenges, and complex life experiences. Steph has received specialist training in areas such as trauma, autism, safeguarding, and sexual risk management, equipping her to work safely and effectively with vulnerable populations.


Steph’s approach is warm, client-centred, and deeply collaborative. She creates a safe space where clients can explore their experiences, develop self-understanding, and discover creative pathways to healing. Whether through talk therapy, sandplay, or somatic techniques, Steph supports each person in connecting with their own strengths and resources.



Core Training 


BSc (Hons) Counselling & Forensic Psychology 6 yrs July 2022

OU - Counselling & Forensic Psychology - Investigating Crime and Therapy 600 Hours July 2021

Psychoanalytic Infant Observation Studies (NSCAP) 2 yrs June 2017

ABC Level 5 Dip HE Therapeutic Counselling 3yrs February 2018

BACP CoP August 2018 

Qualified Integrative Sandplay Therapist 1 yr / 70 Taught hours June 2021

1 year of PhD at The University of York - Thesis not submitted
 

Children & young people


LV4 Cert Early Years Practice July 2013 / 600 hours 

Dip HE Childhood - Developing Practice July 2011

Dip HE Open July 2016


Additional Training 


BACP - Working with: Clients in prison, who are survivors of sexual abuse Feb 2025

Creatively exploring Trauma CCC Ltd June 2022

NSCAP Psychoanalytic Approaches: Personality Development across the Life Cycle 10 Days 2018

Counselling client with ASD - Aspire Ltd June 2018

AET Level 1,2 & 3 (Autism Education Trust DfE) Jan 2018

PECS Picture Exchange Communication Systems 15hrs Nov 2017

NHS Infant Mental Health - Babies, brains and Bonding 1 Day July 2016

CAMHS - Attachment Theory 1 day January 2016


Safeguarding 


LSCB (Leeds safeguarding children's board)

Think Family Work Family 1day Sept 2016

YEAST Risk Management 1day August 2016

LSCB Understanding CSE July 2016

LCSB Responding to children at risk of CSE July 2016

Safeguarding Lv1 January 2016

TT -Team Teach (TWIL 06290113) January 2013

City of York - NYSCB Awareness in child protection January 2013


Specialised Training 


Exploring How Certain Features of  Autism Spectrum Disorder May  Provide the Context of Vulnerability  to Engaging in Sexual Offending  - March 2025 Salford University


COFRA 121 - STOPSO -  90 Hours. One to one programme for managing sexual risk 



Memberships


ICO February 2025 ( ZB869611)

Accredited member of British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy MBACP Registered member (374800)

Federation of Holistic Therapy FHT - Full Member (218744)

Holistic Insurance ( HIS110768 )


Alternative Therapy


Sound Therapy Dip - 150 hours January 2021

Sound Healing Academy Lv1 June 2022

Contact Steph

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