We have worked together for over 8 years, first collaborating on a project at St Crispin’s school in Edinburgh for children with complex disability.
We believe everyone has potential and that with our support we can help people bring about positive changes in their lives.
We clicked straight away and so looked for other opportunities to work together. We recognised that we had complementary skills, knowledge and understanding and that we shared some core values which we express through being –
honest and authentic
clear and explicit
curious and interested
collaborative and creative
Over the past twenty-five years working individually and together, with hundreds of families, we have drawn on our insights and experience of what works. Our skills and knowledge are a powerful combination, drawing as they do on our management experience and direct support for families.
As a response to this, we developed the EMBRACE model with its twin elements of direct interventions to support the young person’s mental well-being and acknowledgement of the emotional impact of caring for a young person with additional needs.
Claire Edwards
Counselling and management
30 years as a qualified counsellor working with individuals, now qualified as a Couple Counsellor. Currently, manager (part time) of the charity, Bright Light Relationship Counselling. Previously, manager of the Guided Self Help service at Health in Mind, 2011 - 13 and a Visitor for carers with the Mental Welfare Commission, 2010 - 14.
25 years working with parent carers in advocacy including three years as Director of SNIP (now known as Kindred Advocacy) when it was based in the old Sick Kid’s Hospital. Specialist facilitator and advocate working freelance with EDG (Edinburgh Development Group) since 2009.
Parent carer of a young adult with Down’s and autism.
Qualifications
Certificate in Couple Counselling (Relationships Scotland, 2025)
Post graduate Diploma in Management and Training (Napier, 1999)
Diploma in Counselling (Strathclyde, 1992)
Lindsay Graham
Education and management
Over 20 years of working in autism and learning disability. Previously, the Project Director of TEENS+, an educational provision for young people with complex needs, for 8 years. Established the education centre and the learning programme.
Worked with local schools and organisations in Northeast India on awareness raising and learning programmes around autism.
Trainer for Children in Scotland CPD programme with courses on Autism and Learning; Sensory Needs; and the Model of Engagement. Delivering therapeutic work to families, and offering training to staff teams, also coordinating a programme for EDG around neurodiversity and employment.
Qualifications
MSc Psychology (University of Stirling 2021)
MA Education (University of Leeds, 2001)
GMBPsS (Graduate Member of British Psychological Society)