Dr Jen Wills

DECPsy Academic and Professional Tutor, UCL BSc, DECPsy, HCPC registered Room: 223 Email: j.wills@ucl.ac.uk

Jen completed her degree in psychology at the University of York and spent several years working in alternative education provision before moving on to a research post at the University of Greenwich under Professor Pam Maras.

Jen completed the DECPsy at UCL between 2007-2010 and undertook placements in Hackney, Barnet and Tower Hamlets. She remained at Tower Hamlets for a further five years, where her role involved much community work with families and parents of young children. This included working with mothers and children living in refuges and led to a specialist project helping such families recover from domestic abuse. During this time she also worked as part of a CAMHS team as well as developing her interest in Higher Education by working as a lecturer course and co-ordinator in Educational Psychology at the University of Greenwich.

She then spent several years working in a dual role with Real Group where she helped with the development and delivery of a new Educational Psychology Service as well as working as a research tutor and trainer in the areas of SEND and educational testing. During this time she also worked as a Research Tutor for the Educational Psychology CPD doctorate at the Tavistock and Portman Trust.

Jen now delivers Educational Psychology Services directly to schools and families. Her professional work with schools specialises in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of primary-aged children whilst her direct work with families focuses on the parenting of young children. She is also chair of the management committee of a local charity community-led Nursery.

Her research and professional interests include parenting, early child development including the importance of sleep, play and sand tray therapy, and the use of relational approaches in school. She also is developing practice in coaching, for professionals and families.