Dr Pooky Knightsmith

Mental Health Educator, Speaker, Author & Advisor

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    • Bitesize CPD
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    Bitesize CPD: Using stock phrases to respond calmly to meltdowns
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    • Jun 20, 2019
    • 1 min

    Bitesize CPD: Using stock phrases to respond calmly to meltdowns

    This video is designed to be used as part of a staff /team meeting as a form of mini CPD. It contains a pause point at the end with so...
    Bitesize CPD: How to listen so young people feel heard
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    • May 10, 2019
    • 1 min

    Bitesize CPD: How to listen so young people feel heard

    Short sharp bursts of CPD can be highly effective - so I'm going to start building a series of suggested bitesize CPD sessions with...
    8 practical strategies for Supporting Pupils who are struggling
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    • Apr 16, 2019
    • 1 min

    8 practical strategies for Supporting Pupils who are struggling

    When asked to deliver keynote presentations or workshops at events, I always try to keep them super practical as I've found that that's...
    Bitesize CPD: being a safe adult
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    • Apr 16, 2019
    • 2 min

    Bitesize CPD: being a safe adult

    Short sharp bursts of CPD can be highly effective - so I'm going to start building a series of suggested bitesize CPD sessions with...
    Five ways to help your school’s young carers
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    • Apr 16, 2019
    • 4 min

    Five ways to help your school’s young carers

    This article first appeared online and in print here at SecEd where I'm the resident mental health expert. Young carers are pupils who...
    Resource: engaging with all parents & carers
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    • Mar 26, 2019
    • 1 min

    Resource: engaging with all parents & carers

    Research shows that if parents and carers are actively involved in their children’s learning and activities at school, they will be more...
    Helping students to handle exam stress
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    • Mar 26, 2019
    • 4 min

    Helping students to handle exam stress

    This article first appeared in print and online in SecEd where I'm the resident mental health expert. You can read all of my articles...
    5 Ideas for using my “How to sign: 10 feelings in British Sign Language” video
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    • Feb 6, 2019
    • 2 min

    5 Ideas for using my “How to sign: 10 feelings in British Sign Language” video

    I recently made a video which teaches the signs for 10 emotions in British Sign Language – BSL. It’s been fantastic hearing how...
    Running effective and engaging mental health workshops for parents
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    • Feb 6, 2019
    • 4 min

    Running effective and engaging mental health workshops for parents

    This article first appeared in print in SecEd magazine and online here. Many schools run wellbeing or mental health workshops for parents...
    New Suicide Safety Plan Tool / Site
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    • Nov 30, 2018
    • 2 min

    New Suicide Safety Plan Tool / Site

    Below I've shared information about the new ‘Staying Safe’ website, which offers resources for anyone distressed, thinking about suicide...
    Calming Keychain - simple grounding resource
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    • Nov 8, 2018
    • 1 min

    Calming Keychain - simple grounding resource

    Inspired by video I made of the 54321 grounding approach (see video below), James Gearing Head of the Autism and Behaviour Support...
    10 tips for teaching about mental health safely sensitively
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    • Oct 18, 2018
    • 3 min

    10 tips for teaching about mental health safely sensitively

    Teaching pupils about mental health and illness is a great way to promote understanding, help seeking and healthy coping – but staff...
    7 Guidelines for supporting a loved one with an eating disorder
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    • Oct 2, 2018
    • 4 min

    7 Guidelines for supporting a loved one with an eating disorder

    The following guidelines were developed by Jenny Langley who facilitates a carers group in Kent, and Nigel Jacobs who is a systemic...
    Using music as a coping strategy for mental health [guest post]
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    • Sep 24, 2018
    • 5 min

    Using music as a coping strategy for mental health [guest post]

    This guest post is by Anita Holford who I met recently at a conference. Anita and her colleague Misha, were there because they have been...
    Recognising and responding to faulty thinking patterns
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    • Sep 19, 2018
    • 4 min

    Recognising and responding to faulty thinking patterns

    I wrote this article for SecEd Magazine. It originally appeared in print and online here. Faulty thinking patterns can present a real...
    Helping Children Overcome School Refusal
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    • Aug 22, 2018
    • 1 min

    Helping Children Overcome School Refusal

    When a child becomes reluctant to attend school, but there is no clear reason, such as bullying or struggling with academic pressures, it...
    9 Things I learned in the year since I was hospitalised for anorexia
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    • Aug 18, 2018
    • 6 min

    9 Things I learned in the year since I was hospitalised for anorexia

    It’s exactly a year since I ended up as an inpatient in an eating disorders unit.  I’m still very much a work in progress; but I have...
    20 Ways to Help Your Partner through a Difficult Time
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    • Aug 18, 2018
    • 7 min

    20 Ways to Help Your Partner through a Difficult Time

    I originally wrote this post in 2017 as a thank you to my husband, Tom, who has been an incredible support to me. The ideas I’ve shared...
    What Not to Say if a Child is Self-Harming
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    • Aug 18, 2018
    • 4 min

    What Not to Say if a Child is Self-Harming

    Self-harm is highly prevalent amongst teenagers – but that doesn’t make it any less shocking for a parent when they find out that their...
    Depression: 10 Ideas for Making it Through the Darkest Days
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    • Aug 17, 2018
    • 6 min

    Depression: 10 Ideas for Making it Through the Darkest Days

    I wrote this post on one of those days where my key focus needed to be on making it through to bedtime unscathed. It seemed a tall...
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    © 2020 by Pooky Knightsmith
     

    Contact

    pooky@inourhands.com

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