About Jo Pennell MScOT, PG Cert SI, Dip COT, MRCOT
My way of working
I set up TreetangleOT because I believe that it is through the things we do in life that we learn about ourselves, connect with other people and engage in the world around us. Most of us are lucky enough not to even stop to think about this but when something gets in the way, or we find things more difficult than our peers, life can become very frustrating or sad. I am committed to working in partnership with people to discover their strengths, understand their difficulties and work towards their goals. I believe in helping young people and their families develop skills and expertise so that they can continue to find creative solutions to challenges as they grow.
I am a registered Occupational Therapist who specialises in working with children, young people and their families. I have more than 25 years’ experience as an Occupational Therapist both in the UK and America in a number of different clinical settings as well as managing services and training junior therapists. I currently work as an independent consultant occupational therapist; before that I was the clinical lead for a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service specialising in attachment difficulties and developmental trauma.
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As Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy in mental health and learning disabilities services I have been responsible for the development and delivery of OT services across the life span, and for the professional management and clinical supervision of the OTs within the services. I also spent 2 years as Associate Director of Therapies for Children and Young People’s Services which involved working closely with therapists from many professions and specialities.
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I regularly deliver training and provided consultation to GPs, parents and carers (including adoptive and foster parents and Special Guardians), teachers, physiotherapists, school nurses and Social Care staff.
I am a Practice Placement Educator training pre-registration student OTs.
I also provide specialist supervision on behalf of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Advisory Service.
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TRAINING IN THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES
I have successfully undertaken the following training and have experience to offer assessments and interventions using:
Theraplay® Informed Practice.
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) informed practice
Sensory Attachment Intervention techniques in practice including the Just Right State protocols for parents and children
Sensory Integration practitioner – post graduate certificate in sensory integration
Foundation level family therapy
Introduction to Therapeutic Life Story Work
TEST ADMINISTRATION
In addition to the standardised and non-standardised assessments I am qualified to offer as an Occupational Therapist, I have undertaken further training and assessment to offer the following:
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT)
Marschak Interaction Method (MIM)
Qualifications
PGCert Sensory Integration (Modules 1-3) SIPT accredited (University of Ulster) 2012-13
MSc Occupational Therapy (Brunel University) 2010 -12
Best Interest Assessor MCA (Kingston University) 2008
Occupational Therapist , Registered Florida USA1997
Diploma of Occupational Therapy – (Exeter University)1990-93
Professional Accreditation and Affiliation
I am an Occupational Therapist registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) my registration number is OT.22078. Only those registered with the HCPC are permitted to use the title Occupational Therapist. This ensures that those registered meet the required standards of training, maintain a good level of Continuing Professional Development and uphold high standards of professionalism.
In addition I hold the following memberships to support a high quality of evidence based practice .
British Association of Occupational Therapists
RCOT Specialist Section - Children, Young People, & Families
RCOT Specialist Section – Independent Practice
Sensory Integration Network