Natalie Brown

Primary teacher with experience in all Key Stages. Qualified SENCo with over 15 years experience in schools. Qualified Reading Recovery Teacher. Qualified Advanced Drawing & Talking Practitioner. Specialism in Early Reading, SEND and Emotional Wellbeing.

“Drawing and Talking” is a therapeutic intervention primarily used with children and young people who have experienced emotional distress, trauma, or difficulties expressing feelings verbally. It is especially helpful for those who find traditional talking therapies challenging. The intervention works through a series of structured, one-to-one sessions where the individual draws while a trained practitioner listens, reflects, and gently asks questions. The drawing acts as a bridge between inner experiences and verbal expression, allowing thoughts and emotions to emerge at a manageable pace. Sessions follow a clear structure, helping create safety and predictability. Over time, this process supports emotional regulation, self-understanding, and resilience, enabling participants to process experiences and develop healthier ways of coping and communicating.

Reading Recovery style intervention is an early literacy intervention aimed at children in KS1. It supports pupils who are struggling to read and write after receiving high-quality classroom teaching. The intervention works through daily, one-to-one lessons with a specially trained Reading Recovery teacher, usually lasting around 30 minutes. Sessions are tailored to each child and focus on reading familiar books, learning new texts, writing, phonics, and developing comprehension strategies. Teaching is highly responsive, building on the child’s strengths while addressing specific gaps. The aim is to accelerate progress so children can catch up with their peers and continue learning successfully within the classroom literacy curriculum.