Joanna Watson

I trained as a teacher almost 30 years ago and worked in primary and special schools in inner-city London. I really enjoyed working with children in the classroom but realised that I was more interested in how their mental health and relationships with others affected how they engaged in education and wanted to understand how all those around the child, such as family, friends and school staff helped and/or hindered them to thrive.  I went on to study for an MA in Educational Psychology and became a Personal, Social and Health Education lead in Lambeth, managing a small team of advisers to support schools and families across the borough for 12 years.

I also spent six years at the mental health charity YoungMinds, where I specialised in helping schools to build resilience in children, families and systems.

Currently, I work at a small multi-family group therapy charity in West London and am training to be a systemic family therapist. I am also a co-Chair of Governors at a local primary school.

I live in London with my partner and our two daughters, who keep us very busy!