About Us
Who We Are
At Ray of Light, we understand that mental health and emotional wellbeing matter at every stage of a child’s development.
Our counselling and therapeutic services are tailored for children and young people, supporting them to build emotional literacy, resilience, and a sense of safety in their world.
We also work alongside parents, carers, and educators through reflective supervision, psychoeducation, and therapeutic workshops. This joined‑up approach helps create nurturing, attuned environments where children and young people can thrive.
Trauma‑informed. Child‑centred.
Relationship‑focused.
Ray of Light Therapeutic Services CIC provides
compassionate, developmentally attuned support for children, young people, and families. We recognise that emotional wellbeing is shaped by relationships, experiences, and the environments that hold a child. Our work creates spaces where children feel safe, seen, and supported to make sense of their world.
Our Approach
Our practice is grounded in:
- Trauma‑informed principles
- neurodiversity‑affirming values
- systemic and relational thinking
- collaborative partnership working
We deliver therapy that is emotionally safe, paced with care, and tailored to each child’s individual needs, strengths, and lived experiences.
DDP‑informed practice.
Our therapeutic approach is informed by Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP), an evidence‑based relational model that supports children and young people who have experienced developmental trauma or attachment disruption. We integrate the core DDP stance of PACE — Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy to build trust, strengthen connection, and support emotional regulation. DDP principles guide our direct work, our therapeutic‑parenting support, and the way we collaborate with families and professionals.
Our Core Values
C.A.R.E.S
Our work is guided by our C.A.R.E.S. values. These principles shape every relationship, every session, and every decision we make.
Connection
Healing happens in relationship. We prioritise warm, attuned, consistent connections that help children feel valued, understood, and emotionally held.
Attunement
We pay close attention to each child’s cues, pace, and needs. Attunement allows us to respond in ways that regulate, reassure, and strengthen their sense of safety and self.
Reliability
Children thrive when adults show up in predictable, steady ways. We offer consistency, clear communication, and dependable therapeutic relationships that build trust over time.
Empathy
We meet every child with compassion, curiosity, and respect. Empathy helps children feel seen and heard, especially when their experiences have been overwhelming or misunderstood.
Safety & Trust
Emotional and relational safety underpin everything we do. We create environments where children can explore feelings at their own pace, knowing they will be met with honesty, care, and protection.
Our Team
Our team brings together skilled trainee counsellors and therapists, supported and guided by an experienced Children’s Psychotherapist. We are committed to: high‑quality, ethical practice
- reflective supervision
- robust safeguarding
- relational and emotional safety
Every child is held by a team that values professionalism, compassion, and integrity.
Sara McGuirk
Founder and Therapeutic Service Manager
Vikki Fitzpatrick
Director of Funding and Organisational Development
Helen Nagle
Director of Communication and Partnerships
Naomi Saunders
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
& Lead Safeguarding Officer (LSO)
Working in Partnership
We work closely with:
- Families
- Schools
- Professionals
to build joined‑up pathways of support around each child or young person. Our aim is to strengthen understanding, resilience, and connection across the systems that shape their lives.
Join Ray of Light in Shining a Light on Emotional Health and Wellbeing for Every Child and Family
Your Wellbeing Matters
At Ray of Light, we are committed to enhancing the mental wellness of our community.
Whether you are seeking support for yourself or your child, we
encourage you to reach out and explore our dedicated services.