LEARN MORE ABOUT TRAUMA INFORMED PRACTICES

Meet Cariad Downer

In my journey as a Certified Trauma Informed Coach/ Therapist / Mental Health Professional / Educator, I've witnessed the profound, life-altering impact that comes from uncovering the hidden wounds of trauma and learning to regulate and understand the nervous system.

My mission is to spread this knowledge on the Isle of Wight, creating safer, more compassionate spaces where individuals and communities can heal and thrive.

Through my partnership with The Mental Wellbeing Company, I'm committed to bringing together trauma informed practices and positive psychology to make it accessible to all. As a Certified Trauma Informed Coach through The Mental Wellbeing Company, I’ve completed the ICF and CPD accredited Somatic Trauma Informed Coaching Certification and am part of the Trauma Informed Professional Network, which is the fastest growing community of trauma informed professionals in the world. 

This high-level certification has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to deliver transformative workshops and 1:1 coaching sessions that prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of your team, your students or yourself.

Previous Experience:

I have worked as a therapist for a national charity working with children and adolescents and received a national award for my dedication to the service. I have significant experience working with trauma and delivering evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions. I hold the national professional qualification for headship and have education based experience of working with trauma in schools.

My office will be based at the Island Riding Centre and so will be surrounded by the natural healing power of horses. Horses can help to support and promote well-being. They can help reduce stress, anxiety, improve confidence, build trust, develop strong bonds and promote healthy relationships.

My Qualifications


  • Certified Trauma Informed Coach through The Mental Wellbeing Company

  • Completion ICF & CPD Accredited Somatic Trauma Informed Coaching Certification

  • BSc (Hons) Psychology

  • Post graduate certificate in Education.

  • Teaching English as a foreign language certificate

  • National College for School leadership Middle Managers qualification

  • National College for School leadership, Leadership Pathways qualification

  • National Professional Qualification for headship

  • Post graduate certificate in therapeutic play with distinction

  • Post graduate diploma in play therapy with merit.

  • Narcissistic trauma informed coach

  • Narcissistic abuse specialist level 3

  • Domestic abuse level 3

  • Working together to safeguard children level 3.

  • Autism level 3

  • Brain spotting level 1

  • Hypnotherapy level 1

  • Introduction to Equine Assisted Psychotherapy

  • Mental Health First aid qualification

  • Children’s accelerated trauma technique (CATT) certificate.

  • Female Genital Mutilation awareness certificate

  • Reducing parental conflict certificate

  • Supporting children and adolescents with worries anxiety and fears certificate

  • 12 years of experience in teaching and education

  • 10 years of experience in therapeutic interventions for mental health

  • Trained in Somatic Experiencing, Positive Psychology, Children’s accelerated trauma technique, Play therapy and Creative arts therapy

  • Passionate about creating trauma informed schools, workplaces, and communities

  • Passionate about using horses to help the healing process

A Message From Caroline Strawson

CEO & Founder of The Mental Wellbeing Company

Caroline Strawson is a globally recognised mental health and nervous system educator, therapist, and coach.

She has lived experience of homelessness, domestic abuse, debt, and mental illness. Having not only survived, she has gone on to become a world-leading expert in the study and education of mental health and human behaviour. Caroline brings a wealth of knowledge to her mission of making mental health and trauma mainstream subjects for all.

Through founding the Mental Wellbeing Company, she is leading a movement to make trauma informed awareness and positive psychology tools the norm in schools, workplaces, public sector organisations, and beyond.

Her vision is a world where every human understands their nervous system, leading to more compassion, passion, resilience, and thriving.

Featured In

Featured In

We Believe In…

Compassion

Resilience

Empowerment

Inclusivity

Healing is not a destination, but as your journey unfolds and you heal yourself, you heal the next generation, too.

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