Our team
Sara Young, Director
Hello, my name is Sara Young, and I live in Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England. I trained as a Psychotherapist at the Northern Guild of Psychotherapy with a specialism in working with children and young people. I’ve worked with children as young as 2 years of age, and my oldest client has been 78.
On graduating, I knew I wanted to change government policy for early intervention for children. I’ve witnessed first-hand how our Mental Health Service hasn’t provided the best mental health provision children and young people deserved.
Debbie Pediredla
Hi, I’m Debbie, my professional background is within adult nursing where I worked in the North East in different inpatient areas - most recently oncology. I took a break from nursing and joined Changing Minds in 2019 as a non-executive director and then a practitioner, inspired by Sara’s innovative and passionate approach to mental and physiological health.
I am trained as a technician in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback and as an instructor in Buteyko breathing which allows me to offer training and support for both mental and physiological health issues.
I enjoy being outdoors and my most recent hobby, sea swimming!
Mark Douthwaite
I’m Mark and I live in Newcastle, I’m a qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor, Biofeedback and Neurofeedback technician and Buteyko instructor for children, young people and adults.
I was introduced to Sara by a friend and previous supervisor and loved the passion that Sara has for what she does, and I knew straight away it was where I wanted to work. It’s an amazing approach to helping people and I feel as though I’m combining my passion for mental health with my interest in technology.
I love to cook and listen to music. I have a massive love of the outdoors where I like to run, surf and stand up paddle board.
Dr Jenna Kirtley
Hi, I am Jenna, an associate Clinical Psychologist and EMDR Therapist with a particular specialism in working with individuals who have experienced relationship difficulties, trauma and complex trauma.
I am passionate about empowering individuals to find ways to make positive changes to their lives and heal from past trauma adapting my approach based on a client's specific needs. I work part-time with Changing Minds with pick up a penny who offers accessible and valuable support to people who are struggling to receive this from NHS services and are unable to afford it through most private services.
I enjoy running, belly dancing and circuit training. I like music, festivals and events and I am a member of a choir, I also love to travel.
Directors
In addition to Sara Young, our Director and Debbie Pediredla, non executive director who are introduced above, please meet Gayle Brown and Debbie Liddle.
Debbie Liddle,
Non-executive director
Hi I’m Debbie Liddle, I have 3 grown up children , 2 dogs and a beautiful granddaughter. When I left school I worked for a leading high street bank. I worked there for 17 years until I left, after having my 3rd child Joel. 48 hours after having Joel he was diagnosed with Down’s syndrome. Following this diagnosis I suffered from chronic post natal depression brought on by fear of the unknown and ignorance of his disability. By the time Joel started school he’d had numerous hospital admissions along with health and social care appointments,through all of which I was guided wrongly or rightly by professionals with their own agendas. Joel became the driving force behind me deciding to study at university. Firstly to increase my knowledge of models of disability, and secondly to help me understand what is available in the community, and in the health and social care world for Joel to access.
Gayle Brown,
Non-executive director
For the past 16 years I have had the privilege of working with children, young people and their families. Working for a national children’s charity, I have supported the most vulnerable through extremely challenging times in their lives. With a focus on homelessness, teenage pregnancy, domestic abuse, anxiety and depression, I have been able to work alongside individuals and their families to support them to identify the key issues, develop their own coping strategies, build resilience and find a way forward in often the most adverse circumstances.
We’re always looking for like-minded professionals to be a part of our team, if you think you could work with Changing Minds please get in touch.
