Speakers

Rachel Oxborough MA, HCPC, BAAT is an Art Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor, and specialist in Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH), SEND, neurodiversity, trauma-informed practice, staff wellbeing, and organisational culture. Drawing on a psychodynamic approach informed by contemporary neuroscience, she supports individuals, teams, and systems to build resilience, inclusion, and sustainable wellbeing.

Her career spans education, the NHS, criminal justice, higher education, and community mental health services. Trained by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, Rachel provides reflective practice, clinical supervision, and consultation for educators and professionals using a systemic and relational approach that strengthens both professional practice and organisational culture.

Passionate about the transformative power of creativity, Rachel founded an art school and has worked extensively with schools to deliver creative education, develop staff capability, and embed innovative approaches to learning, engagement, and wellbeing. She also established a non-profit organisation delivering mental health support and community-based creative projects, increasing access to therapeutic and creative interventions for children, young people, and families.

Rachel works with local authorities, schools, and leadership teams to strengthen organisational culture, improve staff wellbeing, and implement trauma-informed and therapeutic interventions, including Art Therapy programmes. Her professional experience includes inner-city London schools, SEMH provision for adolescent boys, community mental health services, and university settings. She has founded and led multidisciplinary teams with extensive experience across PRUs and mainstream primary and secondary education, delivering support for children, young people, families, and education professionals.

Rachel also brings lived experience to her work as a neurodivergent practitioner and parent of three children. Having home educated her children for three years while supporting their transition back into mainstream education, she has a deep understanding of educational trauma, inclusion, and the barriers many families face. Alongside her consultancy work, she maintains a private practice supporting children and young people experiencing mental health challenges, neurodiversity, educational trauma, and emotionally based school avoidance.

As one parent reflected on the impact of Rachel's work: “Art Therapy has proven to be a transformative intervention for Aisling this year, empowering her to discover her voice.” Sara Crean Muir, SEN parent of a young person supported by Rachel following significant challenges with school attendance.

Through all aspects of her work, Rachel champions creative, compassionate, and psychologically informed approaches that enable both young people and professionals to flourish.