Jennifer joined Thrive in 2012 and became Co‑Director in 2017, bringing with her a combination of insight, playfulness, and deep curiosity. She is known for her wholehearted approach to supporting children, families, and schools and for the energy and vision she brings to the leadership of Thrive. Her work is rooted in a belief that every child deserves to feel safe, connected, regulated, and ready to take part in life a belief that sits at the centre of everything she does.
Jennifer qualified as an Occupational Therapist from Trinity College Dublin in 1991 and has worked across NHS adult services, specialist and mainstream schools, early years settings, early help clinics, and children’s hospital wards. She is HCPC‑registered and a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. She moved to working in paediatrics while living and working on Guernsey in 2007, igniting a passion for sensory integration and the body‑mind connection that continues to shape her clinical work today.
As an Advanced Practitioner in Ayres Sensory Integration, Jennifer brings a rich blend of postgraduate training, including DIR Floortime, Trauma and Attachment, The SpIRiT© clinical reasoning tool, The Willbarger Technique, and The Interoception Curriculum. She has a particular love of the vagal nerve, interoception, and all things related to sensing, feeling, and regulation and can be found with her nose in a book or deep in conversation about how these systems shape human behaviour.
Jennifer works in both mainstream and specialist schools, supporting children, parents, and educators to build practical, compassionate strategies that promote self‑regulation, wellbeing, and participation. She is a strong advocate for “see behaviour, think sensory,” and champions the role of movement, interoception, and connection as essential foundations for learning and mental health. Her style is warm, collaborative, and grounded in curiosity, making her a supportive presence for families and professionals alike.
Jennifer delivers workshops for parents, educators, and clinicians, and as Co‑Director she plays a central role in shaping Thrive’s training programme and persuading inspiring speakers to the UK. Alongside her clinical work, she supports the wider development of Thrive through staff supervision, business development, and nurturing a culture of learning, reflection, and possibility.
Outside of work, Jennifer is known for her love of movement and the outdoors. She is a keen runner, takes part in parkrun, swims in open water, and volunteers at Junior Parkrun and with local SEN parent groups. With family in North America, Ireland, and Hong Kong, she loves to travel and stay connected across continents. Energetic, thoughtful, and endlessly curious, Jennifer brings a spirit of kindness, optimism, and good humour to the Thrive team.
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