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About

Meet Rose

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A bit about my work and studies...

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Hello, welcome to my website!

People often describe me as a proactive and dedicated Educational Psychologist. 

I have always been fascinated by children and young people's psychological wellbeing, the way they learn and develop, and the factors that help them feel understood, included and able to reach their potential.

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My professional journey has taken me across clinical, educational and emergency settings. During my internship in a mental health department in Italy, and later through my training and experience in schools in England, I discovered that Educational Psychology was the field that most closely aligned with my interests and values.

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I have worked in special needs schools and supported living environments, supporting children and young people with diverse neurodevelopmental profiles, additional learning needs, and emotional, behavioural and psychological needs. These experiences have taught me the importance of looking beyond presenting difficulties to understand each person's experiences, strengths, relationships and environment.

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Today, I work as an independent Educational Psychologist within special needs schools, collaborating with children and young people, their families and caregivers, SENCOs, teachers and school leadership teams. My work involves understanding individual needs, exploring challenges, offering psychological perspectives and helping the adults around young people identify appropriate ways to support their learning, wellbeing and development.

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I particularly value collaborative working. I believe that meaningful progress often comes when families, educational professionals and leadership teams have the opportunity to share their perspectives, develop a common understanding and reflect on how their approaches can make a positive difference. I enjoy contributing not only to the understanding of individual pupils, but also to the wider thinking and practice of the professionals and organisations supporting them.

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My experience with the Red Cross, where I volunteered for more than 13 years, has also played an important role in shaping my professional identity. Working in emergency settings taught me about psychological triage, emotional support and the importance of responding sensitively when people are experiencing distress or uncertainty.

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Together with my experience in clinical and school settings, this has strengthened my commitment to trauma-informed and inclusive practice. I believe that behaviour and emotional responses need to be understood in context, and that creating environments where people feel safe, respected and listened to is essential to supporting their wellbeing and development.

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I moved to London to broaden my horizons and experience life in a truly international environment. Studying Cross-Cultural Psychology helped me understand how culture, identity and personal experiences can influence behaviour and relationships. This interest also led me to work with refugee families and participate in voluntary missions abroad.

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Living outside my home country has made me increasingly curious about different perspectives and ways of life. I believe that understanding a person's background and experiences is essential to building meaningful relationships and ensuring that individual needs are recognised and respected.

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Throughout my career, I have also sought opportunities to share psychological knowledge beyond direct work with children and young people. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I developed e-learning modules for a Psychology Foundation Programme at a university in London, while also working as an essential worker and providing emotional support to people in need.

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Safeguarding has always been particularly important to me. I have served as a governor at a special needs school and pursued further learning in counselling skills, strengthening my interest in how children and families communicate their feelings, understand their experiences and express their needs.

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Another area that has become increasingly important in my work is supporting young people as they approach the end of compulsory education. This can be a significant period of transition, when decisions about further education, vocational training, employment and adult life may feel exciting but also uncertain.

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I am interested in helping young people explore their strengths, interests and aspirations, consider different possibilities and make informed decisions about their future. I believe that guidance should go beyond choosing the next educational step: it should also help young people develop confidence, recognise their potential and feel that they have a meaningful voice in shaping their own lives.

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My experience mentoring university students through a London university mentoring programme broadened this interest further. Supporting students in their academic and personal development encouraged me to explore mentoring across different settings, particularly with young people who are navigating educational choices, career aspirations and questions about their future.

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I find it rewarding to help someone recognise abilities they may not yet see in themselves, reflect on their ambitions and begin to consider possibilities they had not previously explored. Whether supporting a student at university or a young person considering their next steps, I value the opportunity to encourage reflection, confidence and personal development.

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Although my work spans different settings, a common thread connects these experiences: understanding people, recognising their potential and helping them find the support and opportunities they need to move forward.

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I value curiosity, collaboration and the exchange of ideas. I enjoy working with people who are open to reflection, interested in learning and willing to consider different perspectives. I believe that psychology can contribute not only to understanding individual challenges, but also to developing more inclusive educational environments and helping people and organisations approach complex situations in thoughtful and constructive ways.

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As an independent practitioner, I remain open to opportunities to collaborate with schools, educational institutions, organisations and professionals who share these interests. My experience across psychology, education, inclusion, training and mentoring allows me to contribute in different ways, depending on the context and the needs of the people involved.

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Beyond my professional life, I love travelling, spending time in nature and discovering new places. Exploring different cultures and stepping outside my usual environment allow me to remain curious, learn from others and see the world from different perspectives.

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I am also interested in mindfulness, meditation and the positive contribution that outdoor activities can make to our wellbeing. In a world where so much of our time is spent in front of screens, I believe it is important to make space to slow down, reconnect with ourselves and enjoy the world around us.

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Whether walking in nature, travelling somewhere new or simply taking a moment to pause, I appreciate the value of experiences that help us feel present, balanced and connected.

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I believe that when people feel understood and supported, they are better placed to recognise their strengths, overcome barriers and explore new possibilities.

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Please take some time to explore my blog. Perhaps you will find something interesting, discover a different perspective or come across an idea that might be useful to you.

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If you would like to get in touch, exchange ideas or discuss a potential collaboration, you are very welcome to contact me.

Thank you for visiting. I look forward to hearing from you!

Rose Zappariello

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HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist
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Psychologist member of the NCPS
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