Hannah abrahams Psychologist (2026)

29/06/2022

Today the world feels less bright and effervescent for so many after the loss of Deborah . I have always been a huge believer that people come into your life for a reason. And by goodness, for the very brief time I knew Deborah I learnt SO much. She was always brimming over with ideas, profound thoughts, humour, eloquence, warmth, energy, but most of all courage in her vulnerability. Her ability to speak so honestly and articulate such scary and complex thoughts in such a profound and accessible way was humbling. I will always treasure the funny memory of us hastily recording a podcast for kids during summer lockdown as I sat at my ironing board (makeshift desk) in my bedroom trying to drum out the outside noise, with a duvet wrapped around me and Deborah told me she was hiding in a tiny part of her bedroom so we could navigate the recording. But as always, she was slick, quick thinking and got the job done! Without doubt she has touched the lives of millions, not only has she changed the way in which we talk about cancer, she has also, with tremendous bravery, demystified the process of death. Deborah did this with sensitivity and grace. She often spoke about her children and how honest she had been with them. Whilst no one, I believe can ever be prepared for the loss of a parent I believe that Hugo and Eloise will be supported in the knowledge that their mum had thought about their every need in as much detail as she could. Today, I think of them and her family. Deborah, you changed the world and you left a mark on me, for that I thank you. And if this is post leaves you wanting to reach out for support about the loss of a parent please contact

05/03/2022

War is terrifying. It’s broken, fractured, bloody and frightening, it’s leads to ongoing ripples of horror for generations to come. This week has been incredibly difficult to watch unfold. So how do we talk to chickens about war? I hope that this weeks tips provide some support for you and your families.

05/03/2022

This week has been desperately hard to watch unfold. The war in Ukraine 🇺🇦 has seen the largest refugee crisis unfold in Europe since World War Two. War is terrifying. So how do we talk to children about it?

This is the second part in a series of excerpts I have put together noting some of the pertinent points to consider, I hope they help #

25/02/2022

I wanted to provide a few thoughts and support for discussions with children about considering their feelings and fears in response to the war in Ukraine. So many of our hearts are breaking for what we are witness too

02/01/2022

There is something utterly magical in this image. Here she is welcoming in the light. Opening up to a new Dawn, a new beginning in whatever form it takes. Ofcourse, Instagram has been packed with “urgent,” messages about creating change for the new year. BUT I don’t believe it can be about that, that we can successfully impose new challenges or lifestyle changes just like that. It’s not sustainable but what is; just as this child is doing is welcoming in small aspects of change, welcoming in the light, the hope and observing the world around us as we continue to reflect upon how to make it a better place both on an individual and community level. I hope that you all have time over the coming days to be as this child is, still,calm and reflective. For that’s what I see as the catalyst for change in whatever form it may take for you. Happy New Year. Love Hannah x

09/08/2021

A level results day, a long while ago now, treading down what seemed like a never ending path to collect a little white envelope, which in that moment, I had been told held the key to my future. Whilst those results opened a door for my immediate choices, they did not define who me or who my friends were to become in their working lives and personal lives. If you know someone or are the person collecting your results today, take a moment to recognise your sheer resilience and adaptability of having to learn, revise, sit exams during a pandemic. You’re amazing, so remember these grades do not define your future but today’s choices. Life moves at such a pace, opportunities will enter your door often at the most opportune and unexpected of moments. Congratulations on reaching today and I hope you can celebrate your ability to do this in the most challenge of circumstances. Remember that you define you, and sometimes a grade won’t fully represent the you, you will become!

05/03/2021

In September I posted about new shoes...today I pulled said shoes out of the cupboard for the first time since December... I made a wish, I wished that these shoes will return far more scuffed, far more muddy, covered in paint and glitter, sweaty and cracked. I wished that these shoes will still fit. Why? Because whilst I realise that these shoes have lost experiences, including standing in line for the Christmas concert, being shoved into a little gym bag ready for sports ⚽️ or skipping next to a friend whilst chanting loudly at break time. These shoes have not been used to their full extent and now I wish for them to really go for it! I know they may be feeling a little trepidation, uncertainty and perhaps a little uncomfortable too. But with support, empathy,care,nurture and hope maybe these shoes will begin to follow the path they have missed so very much and spend time with their friends and peers. They will learn all they need to, together.

31/01/2021

Distracted , I totally forgot to turn the heat down. But then I looked into the pan and thought why is it that all the corn was treated the same other than exactly where it sat and some popped and others kernels didn’t? I am no popcorn scientist but it made me think about some discussions I had about children’s learning this week and despite being taught exactly the same as every other child, this child was finding it hugely challenging to understand maths. My thoughts ; we can change the way we teach, we can make it more inviting, accessible an led tangible. We can explore the concepts for longer (when we are physically back in school) but deep down I know children will flourish and develop in their own sweet time. At the moment the heat is very much on, emotionally which I believe means the majority of children are not popping open with excited squeals of cementing maths concepts but instead quite likely staying firmly shut kernels in terms of their understanding of formulaic equations for example. But just as the heat was too high for these little kernels and my mind wandered elsewhere so represents the feelings of so many children right now. In order to help them we need to gently provide an opening for discussion on feeling stuck, inhibited or just plainly not ready to flourish yet. When all this is done and the noise of children in playground returns, we in education will do a lot of work on what it is to feel nourished emotionally and socially, and support children in being learning ready so just like the kernels when the temperature and setting are in alliance they will pop open with love, laughter and a hopeful enjoyment of learning again. We will get there, together. #

15/11/2020

. It’s so hard isn’t it. To talk about death with a child, to know what to say about the loss of someone so close. It’s so hard to find the strength to talk about it when you’re anmost likely consumed with all the complex and multiply changing emotions linked to your loss. Children often see, smell and taste with a real sense of transparency, of delightful and often hurtful honesty. Some of my most precious and humbling moments of work has been involved in working with groups of children who have experienced the death of a loved one. Children bring memories to life and when given permission by adults they will often talk openly and explore their loss with a real sense of honesty, depth and pain. This week I had a huge challenge to talk with school staff about a very sudden and traumatic death of one of their parents. They were stunned, shocked and felt voiceless. As often happens and is to be expected in such terrible situations. BUT we talked about the need to be honest with the children, to not shy away from showing their grief, for allowing moments to pause, reflect and to cry, get angry and also to laugh. In doing so the staff were providing the most valuable gift they could to the children. Validation. Space. Time. An open door to talk. Children have incredible imaginations and if we as adults collude in secrecy, in silence, in just getting on, we provide a platform for a child to make up their story about loss. Often a distorted and very scary one. We collude with swallowing feelings and storing them in places where one day they will seep out. We need to talk with the sense of transparency and openness children need. To break down the story, to tell the truth and allow the river of tears to flow. Times have changed and it’s so important to talk, to draw and to be when talking about death with children. If I make one promise, they will thank you for it in years to come. It relies on so much courage from adults but in doing so you’re making more a difference than you will ever know to that child

07/11/2020

My job has always been to provide the voice of the child. To learn about, to understand, to reflect upon and consider. I take it as an honour that I can help to bring all the people in the “room” to understand the young person I have been working with so that they feel they can reach their potential and feel better understood socially, emotionally and developmentally. It’s always been a privilege and over 15 years I have heard the stories of so many children. One day I may share some anonymously with you. BUT now more than ever I believe we need share the stories and experiences of children during this pandemic. Amongst ourselves and importantly to government. If I can do anything during this time with my colleagues it’s to document what is happening and what we need to do to make a change. However small. I have joined with an organisation www.reachwell.org to do just that. We know that children’s livelihoods and experiences are being impacted daily. We know that there is some scary and very traumatic and distressing things happening. We know that we have to be the child’s voice. We also know that their will have been some special and very warming moments too. So we are asking you. Please help us to tell the story of children. If you feel willing please DM me or those psychologists tagged here with your story. It will remain totally anonymous and we will sid your permission formally to collate it. Thank you 🙏 #

30/10/2020

There is something special about walking and taking. Nurture amongst nature. We know that children and especially adolescents are far more likely to engage, listen and process when they feel more autonomous. The act of walking alongside an adult who may wish to help a child consider actions, hopes and fears creates more a sense of equality, of actual listening space. Many young teens find it hard to have these conversations face to face. So a walk and talk can do so much more good and gently create psychological shifts than a face to face. Next time you go for a walk with your child take a moment to notice what you feel you can talk about alongside them, it may feel very different to talking at home...

28/10/2020

Different ways of seeing and doing things! Autumn colours and 🎃! I loved these pumpkin creations term ideas

Hannah abrahams Psychologist

29/06/2022

05/03/2022

05/03/2022

25/02/2022

02/01/2022

09/08/2021

05/03/2021

31/01/2021

15/11/2020

07/11/2020

30/10/2020

28/10/2020

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share