SERVICES FOR ORGANISATIONS
Consultancy - Training - Reflective practice - Team Formulation
I provide a variety of psychological services for organisations including designing and delivering bespoke training packages. Clients have included the Civil Service, national Public Inquiries, charities and local services. My expertise centres on helping organisations become more aware of the psychological needs of their service-users so that they provide a better service and reduce risk. This often involves adopting a trauma-informed approach - read more about this below. I am also an experienced public speaker on a range of mental health issues and can give tailored talks to a variety of audiences.
"Bryony created a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere"
"The context of our organisation and our needs were well understood"
"Bryony's delivery style is engaging, clear and based on real experience. She addressed sensitive issues in a way that was non-threatening and informative".
Feedback from training participants
HOW CAN I HELP YOUR TEAM?
"Just when you thought you knew everything about workplace mental health, you hear from someone who makes you think again. Bryony Farrant attended the Civil Service Wellbeing & Attendance Network in October 2019 to increase our understanding of how to facilitate openness about mental health problems and respond sensitively to mental health disclosures. Her exploration of the personal, cultural and workplace barriers helped everyone plan their next steps on the Thriving at Work journey. It's about helping people decide if this is the right time, the right employer and the right culture to share they have a mental health condition or reach out for help. I recommend you speak to Bryony to find out how she can help your organisation." Paul Carter, Civil Service HR
TRAINING
I am an experienced trainer and have developed and delivered a range of training for teams and organisations. I'll seek to understand what knowledge you want your team to have and design a bespoke training package that will suit the different learning styles of your team members, the time available and your budget. I've particular experience in training non-mental health professionals - making psychological knowledge understandable to people of all backgrounds. I've delivered training on topics including mental health, psychological trauma, staff well-being, safeguarding and interviewing techniques. A common theme has been in delivering training that helps teams better understand the needs of their service users and in taking care of their own well-being in the process. Get in touch to discuss how I can help your team.
CONSULTANCY
Perhaps your team or organisation are facing a challenge in the way they engage with vulnerable members of the public, or want to try a new way of working but are worried about the impact upon service users. I can work with you to devise ways of working that enhance service users' experience, reduce organisational risk and promote staff well-being. Where organisations are providing services to members of the public who have experienced trauma, it is helpful to introduce a trauma-informed approach to the organisation. This provides a framework for staff to understand the needs of service-users and the ways in which they may be impacted by their work. A trauma-informed approach shapes the organisation's internal systems and informs external engagement with members of the public. I have had significant success introducing a trauma-informed approach to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse - England and Wales' largest public Inquiry.
REFLECTIVE PRACTICE
Working reflexively is the cornerstone of safe and effective mental health practice. I have facilitated numerous reflective practice groups in a variety of settings including forensic hospitals, CMHTs and with civil service teams. Common to all groups is the establishment of a safe space where staff can explore their work as team; reflect on challenges, discuss their practice and realise their strengths. Regular reflective practice groups are also helpful to achieving good team work. Tensions and difficult dynamics within the team can be explored safely in the presence of an external facilitator. The team will agree what, if anything, will be taken outside the group and whilst reflective practice groups aren't problem-solving specifically, many teams find the practice a useful element in their efforts to continually improve their work. Reflective practice is most effective when it is held regularly - monthly or bi-monthly.
TEAM FORMULATION
Team formulation is a valuable activity for services working with people who have psychological problems and who may be socially disadvantaged. Put simply, psychologists use formulation to understand the origins of a person's difficulties, the factors that maintain the difficulties and to identify what might help a person live better. When facilitating a team formulation, I help a team think in a structured and detailed way about a particular service-user. This is always done compassionately and from a position of non-judgemental curiosity with the aim of enhancing staff's understanding of the difficulties the person is experiencing. Team formulation is often particularly useful if a team is feeling challenged or unsure how to effectively help a person. Whilst the process might identify and then fill gaps in understanding, it also highlights what is helping the person and what else might be beneficial to the service-user and their recovery.