Educational Psychology Support and Training

for Schools and Settings

We provide high-quality face-to-face and virtual training and supervision tailored to the needs of schools and educational settings.

so...who are we? >>>

We are a group of Educational and Child Psychologists who are passionate about using applied psychology and evidence-based practice to support children, young people and school staff.

We met as Assistant Psychologists in 2006 and went on to complete our doctorates in Educational and Child Psychology at University College London (UCL). We have fostered a lifelong friendship and found that working together as a team and combining our shared knowledge and experiences makes the outcomes of our work even more impactful and enjoyable.

ELSA Training

The ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) intervention is a national evidence. based programme designed to build the capacity of schools to support the emotional needs of their pupils from within their own resources. This is achieved by training teaching staff to develop and deliver individualised and group support programmes to meet the emotional needs of children and young people in their settings.

Is ELSA right for your school?

It is nationally recognised that there is an increasing rise in children’s and young people’s mental health needs, coupled with decreasing school funds and, therefore, the need to provide more support with fewer resources.

The ELSA training is designed to build capacity and expertise in your setting to develop individual and group intervention programmes to develop the emotional literacy of children and young people.

founder

Dr Louise Field

founder

Dr sarah woods

Upcoming Courses

ELSA in person training 2025

The ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) training and intervention was developed to build resources and capacity within educational settings to meet the emotional needs of children and young people. Attendees are trained to develop and delivered individual and group support programmes to meet tailored needs.

Bespoke training

We offer a range of bespoke online training packages tailored to the individual needs of your setting. Topics include: supporting children’s and parental anxieties in the early years and school age, Emotion Coaching and developing self regulation skills in children and young people.

On Demand training

We provide a range of on demand training sessions which you can view at your convenience. These are great as stand alone CPD activities for teaching staff or as ongoing professional development for trained Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs)

Dr Louise Field

Director

Hello, my name is Louise and I am a dedicated Educational and Child Psychologist with a passion for supporting the social, emotional, and mental health needs of children, young people and staff. I have over 13 years’ experience as an Educational and Child Psychologist and I have been working in schools in a variety of roles for over 20 years. With a deep understanding of the challenges students face in today’s educational environment, I focus on fostering resilience, emotional well-being, and academic success. My approach is collaborative, non judgemental and empathic. My doctoral research, which explored pupils’ and teachers’ causal attributions for school exclusion, has shaped my approach to understanding the complex dynamics that influence children’s experiences in school. This work has reinforced my belief in the importance of addressing both the psychological and environmental factors that impact a child’s educational journey. My particular interests are in the areas of mental health, emotional wellbeing, mindfulness and supporting children in the Early Years. I am also a qualified yoga instructor. Alongside Nurture and Bloom, I also work as an Independent Educational and Child Psychologist working with a small number of schools in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. I love working with children and everyday is different.

Dr Sarah Woods

Director

Hi, my name is Sarah and I have over 20 years’ experience working in educational and social care settings. I have worked as a main grade Educational and Child Psychologist and a Senior Practitioner Psychologist, with a specialism in Early Years. Alongside Nurture and Bloom, I also work privately, providing support to children, families and educational professionals in schools in Essex. My doctoral research focused on oral narrative skills in care-experienced children and I remain dedicated to reducing inequalities for all vulnerable groups in society. I have a particular interest in supporting the emotional wellbeing of children, recognising that this is fundamental not only to children’s mental health but also to their ability to learn and thrive. I place a strong emphasis on supporting the wellbeing of the adults who care for them (be that through group or individual supervision or consultations), as when educators and caregivers feel supported, they are better able to help children navigate their own emotions, fostering resilience and positive development. My approach is person-centred, collaborative, evidence-based and tailored to the needs of each child, adult or setting I work with.

Course Participants say...

"Working with Dr. Sarah Woods and Dr. Louise Field has been an incredibly valuable experience. Their expertise in Emotional Literacy Support is both deep and practical, rooted in a strong understanding of child development, emotional well-being, and educational environments. Their training sessions were engaging, insightful, and thoughtfully tailored to meet the specific needs of our school. Dr. Woods and Dr. Field bring a rare blend of academic rigour and real-world application, making complex psychological concepts accessible and usable in everyday school settings. Their approach fosters not only knowledge but confidence, enabling staff to better support the emotional needs of children and young people. What truly sets them apart is their warmth, professionalism, and genuine passion for empowering educators and support staff. They create a safe, respectful space for learning, reflection, and growth—something that has left a lasting impact on both our practice and our school culture. I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Sarah Woods and Dr. Louise Field to any school or organisation seeking to deepen their understanding of emotional literacy and embed meaningful, sustainable support for the emotional well-being of young people."

N. Hoare

Harefield School

"Thank you so much, I have learned SO much. Your deliverance, responsiveness and nurturing personalities made each week so inviting."

Karen Hazell

Early Years ELSA Holding Hands Pre School.

"What a fantastic course! Thank you so much for your amazing training and teaching styles. I am positive and excited to put what I have learnt into practice."

Poppy Goodchild

Early Years ELSA, Henry Allen Nursery

"What a wonderful course! Thank you so much."

Sarah-Jane O'Donnell

Thomas Hickman School.

Educational Psychology Support and Training

for Schools and Settings

so...who are we? >>>

We are a group of Educational and Child Psychologists who are passionate about using applied psychology and evidence-based practice to support children, young people and school staff.

ELSA Training

Is ELSA right for your school?

It is nationally recognised that there is an increasing rise in children’s and young people’s mental health needs, coupled with decreasing school funds and, therefore, the need to provide more support with fewer resources.

The ELSA training is designed to build capacity and expertise in your setting to develop individual and group intervention programmes to develop the emotional literacy of children and young people.

founder

Dr Louise Field

founder

Dr sarah woods

Upcoming Courses

ELSA in person training 2025

Bespoke training

On Demand training

Dr Louise Field

Dr Sarah Woods

Course Participants say...

N. Hoare

Karen Hazell

Poppy Goodchild

Sarah-Jane O'Donnell

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