Why I'm Bringing CBT to Learning Resource Centre
As a senior leader in an online British and American school, I regularly hear parents say they have withdrawn their child from school because of anxiety or because of an event that leaves students unable to attend school.
For some young people, learning from home is transformative. They regain confidence, engage with their education and begin to thrive. But what happens when it's time to sit GCSE examinations, return to a classroom or take that next step into college or employment? For someone whose world has become smaller through anxiety, these transitions can feel overwhelming.
It's something I've thought about a great deal, and one of the reasons I've decided to develop the services offered by Learning Resource Centre to include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Learning, confidence and wellbeing go hand in hand
Throughout my career as a teacher, senior leader and SENCo, I've supported young people with additional learning needs. As a dyslexia assessor, I've worked with individuals and families to understand learning differences and identify the support that can make a real difference.
I've seen how understanding a difficulty can be a turning point. But I also recognise that knowing why something is difficult doesn't always remove the anxiety, self-doubt or fear that may have developed along the way.
CBT offers a practical, evidence-based approach to exploring the connections between our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It can help people recognise unhelpful patterns, develop coping strategies and work towards meaningful changes, at a pace appropriate to their needs.
And this isn't just about young people. Life brings challenges at every age, whether we're facing a new opportunity, a major transition or patterns of thinking that seem to hold us back.
Why this matters to me
I'm currently undertaking postgraduate CBT training and am a student member of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). I am also completing a Level 2 qualification in person-centred counselling.
My educational experience, including supporting students with additional needs, has shaped the way I approach people: by listening, understanding their circumstances and recognising their individual strengths. My counselling training is also developing my understanding of the importance of the therapeutic relationship.
A natural next step for LRC
Learning Resource Centre has always been about helping people understand their needs and find a way forward. Educational assessments and specialist teaching remain at the heart of what I do. Developing CBT alongside these services reflects my wider interest in supporting people to overcome barriers, build confidence and access opportunities.
Because sometimes, moving forward isn't just about learning something new. It's about finding the confidence to take the next step.
Making support more accessible
As I continue my CBT training, I would love to explore how Learning Resource Centre could offer a low-cost way for people to access support within their own communities. I know that the cost of private therapy can be a barrier, and I believe it is worth exploring how support might be made more accessible to those who need it.
My hope is to work with local community groups and organisations to develop an approach that is affordable, responsible and responsive to the needs of the people they serve, with appropriate clinical supervision and professional arrangements in place.
Could your community benefit from accessible, low-cost CBT support?
If you are involved in a community group, school or local organisation and would like to explore what this could look like, I'd love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Learning Resource Centre to start a conversation.
Sometimes, the first step towards change is simply making the right support easier to reach.
LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE
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