Lydia Pell
A Bit About Me
This page is to help you know a little about my professional experience. I am an Art Psychotherapist based in the North Pennines. I currently work as a clinical supervisor, and higher educational consultant, whilst also studying a PhD at the University of Cumbria.
I have worked in Higher Education as a Mental Health Advisor, Specialist Mentor, Head of Student Services, and Deputy Director of Student Services in a number of university settings in London. Prior to this I studied in Australia and worked in disability support work, taught English in South Korea, and worked in a Rudolf Steiner organisation as a support worker in Edinburgh.
My core therapeutic training is psychodynamic, and I have completed additional training in solution focused coaching, cognitive and dialectical approaches, and trauma approaches such as CATT and Sensorimotor Art Therapy.
I hold roles as a University Mental Health Charter Assessor with Student Minds, having been involved since the launch in 2019 and pilot assessments in 2019. I am also a trustee for UMHAN, having served as the Chair between 2013 and 2017.
I currently supervise a number of Mental Health Advisors, Mentors, ISVA's and Arts Therapists working in educational settings.
Work Experience
April 2022 - September 2023
Senior Higher Education Consultant - Mental Health - Jun 2023 - Sep 2023 · 4 months
Building on the achievement of UEL's successful award of the University Mental Health Charter, working on discrete projects to further improve, and embed a whole university approach to mental health. Working alongside the Dean of Students and other key stakeholders to act on key continual improvement recommendations from the charter with an evidence informed approach
Deputy Director of Student Services - Apr 2022 - Jun 2023 · 1 yr 3 months
Interim role as Deputy Director of Student Services, with responsibility for teams offering: Student Wellbeing and Support, Student Money Advice, Disability & Dyslexia advice, Access Centre, and ISDVA
-
Skills: Strategy · Leadership · Responsiveness · Collaborative Problem Solving · Compassion
January 2021 - ongoing
CreatingMinds - Private Practice
Higher Education Consultancy; Coaching, Supervision and Art Psychotherapy
Offering individual and group supervision to Higher education and health professionals. Providing consultancy to universities wishing to improve their whole university approach to student and staff mental health. Working as a University Mental Health Charter Assessor
- Skills: Coaching · Leadership Development · Risk Management · Educational Leadership · Clinical Supervision
October 2018 - January 2021
SOAS, University of London
Head of Student Advice and Wellbeing
Operational management of Student Advice and Wellbeing Service (Counselling, Mental Health, Disability and Neurodiversity, Accomodation, Immigration, Finance, Multi Faith and Chaplaincy). Strategic lead for mental health and wellbeing strategy. Designated Safeguarding Lead, Co-chair for work stream on gender based violence.
-
Skills: Leadership, Risk Management, Strategy, Supporting services through change, process improvement, Safeguarding.