Why I'm training to be a PWP

By Daisy Edwards, Student Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

At the start of this year, I joined the core team at CFF as a student psychological wellbeing practitioner.

Before working with CFF, my sister took part in an ‘overcoming anxiety’ group. The difference it made to her was life changing and to this day, she still uses the techniques she learnt from the group. This motivated me to help others like my sister, so I decided to volunteer at CFF. I learnt so much as I was volunteering and found it so rewarding, that from then on I knew it was something I wanted to pursue a career in. I then became a sessional worker; I helped deliver the workshops, and met with the families on home visits. I got to see more of the amazing work CFF do and met some wonderful families. 

​Currently, I am studying at Northampton University to become a psychological wellbeing practitioner. This means I will work with children and young people (CYP) who are suffering with low intensity mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. It is an early intervention support, so it allows the practitioner to assess the CYP early on and provide the correct treatment. This is something that is needed for CYP, as they can be missed early on and can escalate quickly when the support is not there. The practitioner and CYP will work collaboratively during the treatment process, which I feel is so important.

​Depending on the CYP’s capacity, they will be part of the process and planning of their treatment. During the treatment, there is evidence-based interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and more. Which is very much about the here and now and identifying their problems and working on them together. Its self-guided treatment that means the practitioner supports and helps the CYP gain knowledge around their symptoms and carry out interventions together, and then it is up to the CYP to put into practice. From doing the course, I can see the importance of the role and I am so excited to be bringing it to CFF.
 
Now more than ever our children and young people are going to need us to support them with their mental health. With the variety of support CFF offer, I feel proud to say we can be there for them.