Happy festive season to you all! This time of year is always busy, filled with both excitement and, for some, trepidation. At PBH, we recognise that while this season is joyful for many, it can be challenging for others. We aim to balance being available to those who need us with taking time to recharge our own batteries.
Sometimes, I envy businesses that can pause production entirely over the holidays, but I’m reminded of the pride we take in being here when it matters most. As the year draws to a close, it’s also a moment to reflect, celebrate the wins, and acknowledge the journey we've shared together.
Case Management: Welcoming New Talent and Refining Our Approach
Our case management team, led by the indefatigable Victoria, has grown this year with the addition of Chris Love, Jessica Draper, and Sofia Capria.
- Chris Love brings extensive expertise in addiction services, coupled with a calm demeanour that shines in critical situations. His wonderful whiskers and impeccable style are a bonus!
- Jessica Draper, a long-time personal friend, embodies our culture of familial and social connection. Her vast experience in crisis management has made her an invaluable part of the team.
- Sofia Capria has collaborated with us globally as a case manager and coach. With a Master’s in Addiction Studies from King’s College and fluency in multiple languages, her international perspective enriches our approach. I can also discuss Scandinavian baked goods with her so that is always a bonus.
The team has been instrumental in refining our unique case management model, ensuring it continues to evolve to meet client needs. They’ve also expanded our global database of behavioural health providers, strengthening relationships with partner organisations to enhance the care we offer. This field is forever changing with new people and organisations coming into it so this is crucial.
Coaching: New Faces and a European-Focused Training Programme
Jaz’s coaching team welcomed Harry Bloomfield, a veteran coach and now office coordinator. Harry’s calm efficiency keeps everything running smoothly, and as a former pastry chef, he brings delightful conversations about baking into the mix (there may be a theme to our hiring process here).
Jaz has also launched a bespoke training programme for behavioural health coaches, tailored specifically for the European context. This initiative addresses key differences like GDPR compliance, European mental health frameworks, and cultural nuances in understanding addiction and neurodiversity. Having completed many training programmes in the US, he has spent several years developing this and we are immensely proud of what he has produced.
In its inaugural year, this programme has trained 74 coaches across eight sessions, with overwhelmingly positive feedback. Jaz and Harry are now developing specialised modules to further upskill coaches and explore niche areas, creating exciting career pathways in behavioural health coaching.
Therapy: New Faces and Expanded Offerings
Our therapy team has grown with remarkable new additions:
- Marta Sosnowska-Conradi, our new clinical supervisor, brings a wealth of knowledge and passion, particularly in neurodiversity. Her expertise is helping us move towards becoming a more neuro-affirmative workplace.
- Georgina Hollick, transitioning from coaching and case management to therapy, leverages her multidisciplinary background to provide integrative behavioural and psychodynamic therapy.
- Andrea Taylor, with 20 years of experience, specialises in addiction, trauma, and couples therapy, enriching our team with her seasoned expertise.
- Araminta de Clermont, an art therapist working with children, combines her artistic background with psychotherapy, offering a unique and impactful approach.
Our therapy team has been busy implementing innovative treatments like the Safe and Sound Protocol and launching our first 13-week DBT group, co-facilitated by Len and Georgina.
Becky Burnett has also been tirelessly running both face to face and online disordered eating groups for us. The latter in partnership with the wonderful nutritionist nutritional therapist, Marissa Carrarini.
Expanding Our Expertise and Industry Involvement
This year, we’ve attended conferences worldwide to stay at the forefront of behavioural health advancements. From Oxford to Florida, we’ve immersed ourselves in discussions on addiction, mental health, and the future of AI in our field.
We’ve also contributed to industry advocacy, supporting efforts to regulate the behavioural health field and lobbying for policy changes to better serve those in need.
Behind the Scenes: The Unsung Heroes
None of this would be possible without our incredible operations team:
- Nicolay Sorensen ensures our systems run smoothly, allowing practitioners to focus on what they do best.
- Liz Fenwick-Smith manages the financial complexities of serving over 300 clients per month.
- Elizabeth Sorensen ensures callers find the right resources, whether within our organisation or elsewhere.
- Jennifer Reich has expanded our network of providers, adding immense value to our knowledge base and is so skilled at the dark arts of systems and modern technology and innovation.
- Molly Clarke who has organised all our events, understands and sets up and runs our internal systems with Nicolay and just generally says yes to anything that needs doing, learns how to do and gets it done.
Looking Ahead to 2025
This year we have stretched ourselves—a testament to the growing need for accessible, cutting-edge mental and behavioural health services. As we head into 2025, we’re excited to roll out new initiatives that will not only enhance our offerings but also contribute to the broader behavioural health industry.
Thank you to our clients, partners, and team members for your trust, collaboration, and dedication. We look forward to another year of making a positive impact together.
Wishing you all a peaceful and restorative festive season.
We’d love to hear from you! What trends or innovations in behavioural health are you most excited about for 2025? Let’s keep the conversation going.
