Chrysalis Associates is a centre of excellence in the assessment and treatment of developmental trauma and attachment difficulties. We are passionate about maintaining a high level of knowledge and expertise within our staff team to enable us to provide dynamic and effective service to our clients.
At the heart of our company are the people who work in it. We care for and value our team enabling them to grow and develop professionally and personally. We provide high levels of supervision and training and actively promote a healthy work – life balance.
Chrysalis Associates’ integrity underpins its principles in the provision of a reliable service that interacts with clients and professionals in a sincere and genuine way. We provide a transparent and evidence-based service thereby providing accountability for our service users and to our commissioners.
Please click the link to view: Statement of Purpose (February 2023)
Please click here to see: Welcome to Chrysalis (a guide for children and young people)
Please click here to see: Welcome to Chrysalis (a guide for parents and carers)
Please click here to see: Welcome to Chrysalis (a guide for professionals)
Chrysalis Associates © 2024 All rights reserved
Tel: 01142 509455
E-mail: jacqueline.lynch@chrysalisassociates.org
Director, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Registered Manager
Dr Lynch is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience. She holds a BSc in Psychology and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and has undertaken additional training in: Drama Therapy, CBT, Narrative Therapy, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Theraplay, Group work with Children and Adolescents and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing [EMDR]. She is also trained in the administration of the ASI.
Tel: 01142 509455
E-mail: helen.freake@chrysalisassociates.org
Director, Clinical Psychologist & Responsible Individual
Why I do the job
I first became part of the team that set up Chrysalis because I was passionate about Theraplay, DDP and EMDR and wanted to be able to offer these models in a way that really works for children and their families. Its great to be able to say over 15 years later that that is still the most rewarding thing about what we do: witnessing hundreds of children every year recover from their trauma and develop closer and more loving relationships with their families is immensely satisfying! I love working with and supporting our amazing therapy team at Chrysalis, and seeing every day the positive differences we are able to make to children’s lives. I also love that as a small independent organisation we have the freedom to just do what needs doing to help the families we serve without lots of delays and bureaucracy.
Something you may not know about me
I am an ordained Buddhist, and love teaching Buddhism and Meditation in my time outside Chrysalis. My Buddhist name Lilamati translates as ‘she whose understanding is playful’. I love, climbing, running and swimming, and time outdoors (especially on the beach!) with my husband and son.
Director
Sarah Terry has over 20 years’ experience working in Health & Social Care, including the statutory and voluntary sectors. She qualified as a social worker in 1995, obtaining a MA/Dip SW at Leicester University, and has completed the Open University course ‘Managing Health and Social Care Services’.
Director
Sarah Allkins has over 15 years’ experience working in Health and Social Care, including statutory and voluntary sectors. She holds a BA (Hons)/Dip SW and has completed the Open University course ‘Managing Health and Social Care Services’.
Consultant Trauma and Attachment Therapist and Specialist Occupational Therapist and Health and Safety Lead
Why I do the job
Journeying with families through some of their most overwhelming challenges is a real privilege. The greatest reward is witnessing moments of trust, relaxation and connection shared between a parent and child and the hope that this brings.
Something you may not know about me
I’d love to say something really exciting or daring, but the reality is that my ‘happy place’ is walking along a coastal path, I could walk for miles with my two dogs! If only I lived closer to the sea!
Consultant Trauma and Attachment Therapist and Quality Assurance Lead
Why I do the job
I moved to the UK to pursue two of my dreams: working therapeutically with families and living in England and I’m happy to say that both have far exceeded my expectations! I love working with families and helping them have fun together and understand each other better. It’s an honour to be involved in the process of moving from distrust and distance to connection and joy. I also love the variety that the work brings and how unique each child and family is.
Something you may not know about me
When I’m not at work, I love the theatre, swing dancing, biking, getting out into the countryside, and, of course, a good brew! I’m excited about any opportunity to wear my wellies or try out new café with a good book. I really enjoyed the Hunger Games and I’m always up for watching a Disney movie.
Consultant Trauma & Attachment Psychotherapist
Safeguarding Service Lead
Why I do the job
I do this job because I love it. It really is as simple as that for me. I have been part of Chrysalis Associates since 2010 and find the work I do here incredibly rewarding. It is a privilege and a pleasure to work with families and help them to grow and flourish.
Something you may not know about me
When you meet me, you’ll soon get to know I’m never in danger of being boring! I like avocado socks and when I’m not here I like to be in Copenhagen!
Consultant Trauma & Attachment Therapist
Why I do the job
One of my favourite things about my job is getting to know families in a fun and relaxed way so we can start to make thing better together. I have always enjoyed art and I try to bring creativity into my therapy sessions. It’s always great to help families to grow closer.
Something you may not know about me
I have visited the famous street in Edinburgh which apparently inspired the idea of ‘Diagon Alley’ in the Harry Potter stories – one of my favourite books. When I get time, I like to go walking, explore new places with my family or sit and play the guitar.
Business Manager
Why I do the job
Finance managers are responsible for the overall financial health of a company. We produce financial reports and develop strategies and plans for the long-term financial goals of the organisation.
Something you may not know about me
I enjoy the flexibility and challenges that the finance manager role entails. I enjoy working for a smaller company because you can really see the results of your work and your decisions have an impact on the operations.
Trauma and Attachment Psychotherapist
Why I do the job?
I believe that family functioning is an integral part of everyday life and it is a privilege to be part of the journey in supporting families at whatever stage they are at.
Something you may not know about me
I love all things leopard print and anything elephant related!
Trauma and Attachment Psychotherapist
Why I do the job
My favourite part of the job is meeting all the fantastic families and children we have here at Chrysalis.
Something you may not know about me
When I’m not at Chrysalis, I’m usually still rolling around on exercise balls with my love of Pilates and Yoga, otherwise you’ll find me camping in a field somewhere, eating marshmallows around a campfire.
Trauma and Attachment Psychotherapist
Why I do the job
I get so much pleasure working in a role where I can work together with the children and their families to hopefully make life a little easier, bringing some understanding or support in challenging times. I am proud to be a part of such a fantastic service and feel truly grateful to the families that allow me into their world to build these relationships.
Something you may not know about me
I love spending my time enjoying any kind of relaxation, spiritual or holistic experience, so when I manage to find any spare time, you can usually find me learning, chasing or indulging in something wonderful.
Senior Trauma and Attachment Psychotherapist
Why I do the job
I have been part of Chrysalis Associates since 2011 and find my work to be incredibly rewarding. Working with families to help them flourish, where children move from a position of distrust to love, is a journey that I am passionate about. Every day at Chrysalis is different and every family I meet is unique.
Something you may not know about me
When I get chance, I love nothing more than taking things to pieces, usually this is a car or one of my motorbikes. The challenge, however, is putting it back together in the right order! My favourite children’s books are ‘J.J. and the Washing Machine’ and ‘Harry Potter’.
Trauma and Attachment Psychotherapist
Why I do the job
I love being part of people’s journey to re-connect with themselves and others around them, helping to heal and build relationships and find hope and feel joy in their lives.
Something you may not know about me
I am also an artist, and in my free time I love to create my own work; painting, drawing and sculpting, or just messy creative play with my children; ideally after a lovely open water swim and a long walk in the woods.
Trauma and Attachment Therapist and Drama Therapist
Why I do the job
I love working with young people and find it really rewarding seeing the positive changes that engaging in therapy can have. I also think play is really important and undervalued. I feel lucky to have a job where I get to be playful every day!
Something you may not know about me
I used to live on a houseboat which I actually helped to build. I used to love watching the ducks swim past, but after a few years, the pull of a flushing toilet got too much and I moved back to dry land! In my spare time I enjoy going to the theatre and spending time with friends and family.
Trauma and Attachment Therapist
Why I do the job
I have a passion for working therapeutically with children/ young people and their families, helping them to connect on a deeper level and enabling them to heal from their past traumas so that they can live a happy and fulfilling life. I have devoted my career to this work.
Something you may not know about me
In my spare time I love to be outdoors, whether that’s in the garden, walking on the beach, or exploring in the woods.
Trauma and Attachment Practitioner
Why I do the job
I have always enjoyed working with children and young people, I find working with this demographic to be just as rewarding as it is challenging. I also enjoy working with families and this role enables me to do a bit of everything I love.
Something you may not know about me
I like to bake and I have challenged myself to incorporate avocados into as many baked treats as possible. I also like to play the guitar and sing.
Trauma and Attachment Therapist
Why I do the job
I have spent over 20 years working with children and families; I have worked in a variety of roles before coming to join the team here at Chrysalis. I love to learn so much from the children and families I work with and feel honoured that they allow me to be a part of their growth and development. Helping children to heal and bringing out the happiness and love within families makes me feel very proud.
Something you may not know about me
I spent several years practicing judo and fencing. Nowadays I am much more likely to be found running or chasing around after my children. I also recently adopted a stray kitten, who is growing to be big and strong; her name is Hendo!
Trauma and Attachment Therapist
Why I do the job
I really love working with children and families, spending time with them and getting to know them. Helping children through play and being a listening ear to families, building relationships through fun and play. I am very proud to be doing this for a caring organisation like Chrysalis.
Something you may not know about me
I am a collector and lover of scented candles. I love all the different scents and smells that make me feel all happy inside. I am also a massive fan of winter and Christmas and through myself into going to Christmas markets and pantomimes and if you see me near Christmas I may even have Christmas earrings in or the odd Christmas jumper.
Why I do the job
There are few feelings more powerful in life than feeling deeply and authentically felt, seen, heard, and understood in relationships with others. It is a pleasure that I get to develop these meaningful relationships with parents and young people. I love discovering the strengths, talents, and resiliencies of the families I get to work with and I find that I am continuously learning just how amazing human beings are! I am passionate about helping families develop attachments, understand histories, and process trauma to help them to live more rich, full, and meaningful lives.
Something you may not know about me
I like all types of music from rap to indie and everything in between. My favourite food is pizza with mushrooms, sweetcorn, peppers, and pineapple on top. When I was at school, I used to eat 3 cherry scones for lunch every day and would enjoy a full pack of rich tea biscuits dipped in tea when I got home! When I’m not at work I like running and have ran 16 marathons.
Why I do the Job
I have always been passionate about working with children and feel very privileged to be involved in helping children to heal from their past experiences and be able to connect on a deeper level with their family as a result.
Something you may not know about me
I would consider myself as being quite an active and social person, therefore, my weekends are filled with doing exercise classes such as Zumba and drinking Starbucks Mocha coffee with friends. My favourite colour is pink and love Lindt dark chocolate.
Why I do the job:
Working with children brings a host of unique challenges and opportunities to learn. The children I work with make every day fulfilling, and I know my work is making a positive impact. I love that I am able to be playful at work while helping each child and their families grow and gain new skills too.
Something you may not know about me:
I have a rescue dog called Luna which has been challenging but fun to see how love has helped her personality come out! In my spare time, I enjoy socialising with my friends and family, especially if it involves being outdoors, travelling to new places or trying new foods!
Psychologist
Why I do the job
I love being able to help others and being able to make even the slightest of difference in the lives of struggling families is truly rewarding. I enjoy working with a variety of people, and each day I get the opportunity to meet lots of unique and interesting children and families, where no day is the same! I really am proud to be a part of the team as it is truly amazing hearing and seeing the positive impact coming to Chrysalis has had for families so they can have fun together and make life at home happier!
Something you may not know about me
When I’m not at work, I enjoy being active, going for long walks around the countryside with my dog or going out running! I love the outdoors and being out in the nature, as I absolutely adore animals! My spare time is also filled with listening to music and going to events, or going site-seeing and travelling to different places. Some of my other favourite things to do is being sociable with friends and family, going shopping or eating out and trying different foods!
Senior Administrator
Why I do the job
I have always loved working with people and really enjoy meeting new families in my role – I get to see some lovely smiles when children come to the building! I like to help people however I can and I’m very proud to be part of the team, I find it amazing when I see how Chrysalis changes the lives of so many families.
Something you may not know about me
I am a huge travel addict and have been on lots of ridiculous adventures all over the world so far! I’m also a big fan of Autumn – I adore lighting candles, sitting with a cup of (Yorkshire!) tea and watching the leaves fall outside – I just love feeling cosy! In my spare time I am a volunteer foster carer for animals, spending most my evenings snuggling small creatures and giving them the love and care they deserve until their forever family comes along.
Administrator
Why I do the Job
I enjoy helping people where I can and being part of a team that achieves this daily and changing lives for the better is extremely rewarding.
Something you may not know about me
I love going on country walks with my husband, 3 children and dog. In an evening you’ll find me snuggled of the settee watching Netflix with a cold drink (I don’t like tea or coffee) or painting my nails!