Our Mission
Our children are being let down – 1 in 4 young people who were referred to mental health services in the UK in 2019 didn’t receive the support they needed because some children just don’t fit specific criterial, are not yet clinically significant or are unable to articulate their needs to get the help that they deserve.
At present, early intervention is crucial; with stretched NHS services, long waiting times and a Government that is failing to invest in quality mental heath provision, children are forced to face feelings of desperation, isolation, anxiety and fear without support when they need it and that is not OK!
Search our website to find out about how we support children and families in crisis using our three tier support process, how we support children in schools across Solihull and beyond and what we can provide FREE to schools in the local area!
Meet The Team
Katie Washbourne
The Founder and CEO
Hi My name is Katie Washbourne, thank you for taking the time to come and meet us all here at Ordinary Magic.
We all face adversity at some point in our lives and over the last 11 years I have worked for various organisations with people who were in crisis or were struggling to manage their emotions. During my professional career I have provided support to children, parents, families and professionals in the areas of:
- Death (Pre and post bereavement support due to natural cause or murder)
- Terrorist Attacks
- Disability
- Carers
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Low Confidence
- Offending – Youth and adult offenders
- Parental/ Family Seperation
- Financial Worries
- Abuse (Emotional, physical, neglect and financial)
- Alcohol and drug dependency
Whilst doing this work I developed a curiosity about why some people ‘bounce back’ from adversity and others find it complicated. Using this curiosity I set about to support creating ‘bouncy’ human beings. Using my specialist knowledge, research, professional background and passion for supporting people to be able to overcome adversities, I created Ordinary Magic!
Please take a look around and if you would like to chat further or have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to contact me
Michelle O’Connor
Director
Hi My name is Michelle O’Connor and I work alongside Katie managing Ordinary Magic.
I am a fully qualified Trained Social Worker and for 8 years I worked in an Independent Fostering Agency, supporting Looked After Children and foster families in their journey of fostering. During my professional career as a Social worker I have had to provide support to many children who have faced extreme abuse, trauma and neglect, as well as supporting those who foster in managing the transition children take into and out of their homes. Many of the children who I have supported have also presented with a range of challenging behaviours, such as self-harm, anxiety and social withdrawal. I have also had extensive experience working within various schools across the borough in a caring capacity.
I joined Katie in January 2020 and love working so closely with children, supporting their wellbeing and mental health journey.
Please take a look around and if you would like to chat further or have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to contact me
Sarah Armes
Relaxation Coach
Hi My name is Sarah Armes and I work as a Relaxation Coach for Ordinary Magic.
I’ve spent many years as a primary school teacher working with children from age 3 upwards. I’ve worked in a variety of settings including preschool, nursery and primary schools. After having my son I returned to work as a Teaching assistant and trained as a Relaxation Coach. During this time I’ve learned a variety of techniques in mindfulness, relaxation and how to help children with their wellbeing helping them to promote their self esteem and confidence. This is something I am passionate about and have enjoyed immensely as I believe this is a much needed service in society today.
Please take a look around and if you would like to chat further or have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to contact me
Bal Hunjan
Pyschotherapist
I am Bal Hunjan and I am a fully qualified Integrative Psychotherapist who works with adults, children and families from various cross-sections of the community. As an Integrative Psychotherapist, my work with individuals involves various approaches such as CBT, Psychodynamic, Gestalt or Person Centred. I am also a clinical supervisor for Birmingham Counselling Service.
I’ve worked in the domestic abuse field for over 12 years and provided domestic violence training to professionals and therapists in various organisations and charities. I provide psychoeducation in schools to pupils, staff and parents around mental health, building emotional resilience and psychological wellbeing. I also has considerable experience working with abuse, trauma, anxiety, stress, depression, relationships, addictions and self-harming behaviors.
My role at Ordinary Magic has been to help provide therapy to children and young people, working with parents to understand the difficulties and challenges they face in supporting their child and giving them useful techniques to work with their child. I also helps schools to understand the child’s behaviour so that they are better able to work with the child in the school environment.
Please take a look around and if you would like to chat further or have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to contact me
Breannah Hayden
Chid Wellbeing Practitioner
Hi, my name is Brea Hayden. I am 26 years old and a Psychology and Education studies graduate. I have a strong Social Science background, having studied Health and Social Care, Psychology and Sociology. This theoretical knowledge over the years have allowed me to gain an in depth understanding of young people and their behaviours. Social development, Counselling skills and Mental Health are just a few.
I have experience working with children in preschools, nurseries and primary schools. This experience has made me adaptable in terms of being able to empathise, communicate and engage effectively with young people in order to help them overcome adverse experiences, anxiety, and transition and change.
I have a naturally caring and understanding personality and a strong desire to help others, which is often admired by my family and friends. As my main passion is Child Mental Health, I have always aspired to pursue a career in Educational Psychology where I can enhance my behavioural support skills, make a difference and encourage children to fulfil their potential.
Hema Patel
Therapist
Hi, my name is Hema Patel and I am a qualified Integrative Counselling Psychotherapist working with both adults, children and families. My background in Biological and Medicinal Chemistry as well as 18 years in the NHS have driven me to seek an alternative answer to the systemic pains felt through the non-verbal discomforts that cause stress, loneliness, low self-esteem, depression, social anxiety, peer pressure, negative body image and other emotional and behavioural discomforts faced by society today. As a student of Attachment Theory and Transactional Analysis, I use an integrative approach to my practice which means I draw on different psychological theories and skills allowing for flexibility and a more tailored approach to the needs of my clients.
In my work, I have found that there is no one “type” of person that I work with, from young adults to mature people of any age the impact of searching for an answer to our mental health needs affects us all. I believe Mental Health is unique to the person experiencing it therefore for an effective and sustainable change to occur I believe a whole person approach is required.
In my role at Ordinary Magic, I work with both children and families to first understand the difficulties they are facing and secondly put a more manageable plan in place through psychoeducation and collaborative work with the school. I believe, that by removing the barrier to mental health, the child has the space to learn and develop fulfilling their true potential and have a better understanding of their own self-awareness and be able to change negative patterns of behaviour to positive ones.
My special interest is in the field of bereavement, loss, and grief which I believe is relevant to all aspects of mental health today impacting young minds through loss of self, loss of identity, loss of family, loss of structure, and loss of stability and loss of self-esteem. Having carried out this role in various organisations I hope to bring these skills to my clients at Ordinary Magic helping young minds see that the whirlpool of loss once anchored can be navigated to a safer place.
