About Us
Our Approach
CEGR is a Community Interest Company (CIC) based in the Clent Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty, just outside of Birmingham. We provide a range of personal development and therapeutic equine assisted services to the private and public sectors. Promoting emotional growth, resilience and wellbeing is at the heart of all our services.
‘Emotional Growth’ means developing the ability to deal with life. ‘Resilience’ refers to how well we can handle life’s challenges. At the Centre for Emotional Growth and Resilience we see this as the foundation of wellbeing and emotional intelligence i.e. the capacity to perceive, use, understand and manage emotions.
We know that life events and circumstances can get in the way of the natural process of emotional growth and developing resilience. This can significantly undermine wellbeing and stop us achieving our goals.
At CEGR we understand that strengthening our self-awareness and self-acceptance, as well as boosting our bonds with others and the natural world, provides a powerful route towards resilience and wellbeing for both individuals and organisations.
Horses are the perfect partners in this journey. Whether you want to achieve wellbeing or personal or professional goals, our beautiful facilities, skillful practitioners, and herd wisdom provides wonderful opportunity to develop greater self-awareness, improve personal and professional relationships and increase confidence and resilience.
Meet the Team
Dr Jenny Uppal
Jenny is a fully qualified and registered Educational Psychologist with over 25 years’ experience of working with organisations, parents, families and children to create positive change.
Jenny is also a qualified Equine Assisted Psychotherapist. She has enjoyed finding ways to support those who find it difficult to access room based therapeutic support. She always strives to find the individual behind the diagnosis and seek to understand their unique perspective and story. She loves bringing animals and particularly horses into the therapeutic situation as their ability to foster self-awareness and emotional development is incredibly powerful.
Jenny has successfully developed and delivered equine assisted programmes for businesses to support authentic leadership and help businesses achieve their vision. Jenny has extensive experience in working with horses to create personal development, inspire confidence, support team work and build leadership in businesses.
My Qualifications
- B.SC (Hons) Psychology
- PGCE
- M.Ed (Ed Psych)
- Level 5 Diploma – Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy
- PhD
Accreditations
- BPS Chartered Psychologist (C.Psychol): 077102
- BPS Register of Applied Psychologist Practice Supervisors
- LEAP Registered Practitioner
- HPCP registration no: PYL23373
Julie Gilbert-Binns
Julie is a qualified Counsellor and Equine Facilitated Learning Practitioner, working with young people and adults through her private practice, Therapy with Horses.
She holds a Master’s degree in Communication and has accumulated over 20 years of experience running her own marketing agency, which specialised in the ICT industry. During this period, Julie worked with multinational organisations across the EMEA region, interacting with individuals at grassroots level as well as government and senior management.
Her varied skill set supports a creative and flexible approach to personal development, problem-solving and interpersonal relationships.
Jon Clugston
Jon has worked in the social care sector for over 30 years in both the public and private sector. He is a qualified social worker and has also been an inspector with the Care Quality Commission. He now works as a freelance consultant offering support and guidance to organisations in the education and social care sectors.
Jon has been in management/leadership positions since 1997 including senior leader posts in large multi-disciplinary settings. As well as being a Director of CEGR, he am also a trustee of another charity which assists the development of education overseas.
Steph Trevis-Smith
A psychology graduate, qualified teacher and holding an MSc in Management Studies, Steph has worked in the public sector for over 30 years, particularly working with young people with disabilities.
She began managing teams early in her career and has led groups of staff from across all areas of organisations including support staff, service staff, educators and students. As a manager, she understands the importance of effective communication, relationship building, empathy and consistency when leading teams and the need to set clear and realistic targets in line with the organisation’s vision.
Steph has experience of developing new teams to their full potential as well as providing ongoing guidance and support for established teams. She understands the importance of creating an environment where staff can reach their full potential and thrive.
Dr Devon Perfect
Devon is a fully qualified and registered Clinical Psychologist and has been working in the field of Mental Health since 2011.
She has extensive experience of working both therapeutically and with horses to promote wellbeing in individuals and groups. She has particular expertise in running reflective practice groups to support her team and colleagues.
Alongside Clinical Psychology, Devon has spent 4 years volunteering with a charity helping young people to access horses who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity.
Devon has a diploma in Equine Facilitated Learning, a British Horse Society (BHS) level 3 Care certificate and stage 2 Teach. Her unique skillset enables her to combine her knowledge of mental health and horses to support sustainable wellbeing, personal development, leadership and team building.
Qualifications:
-BSc (Hons) Psychology with diploma in professional studies.
-DClinPsy
-Diploma in Equine Assisted Learning
Accreditations:
-BABCP accredited CBT therapist
-HCPC registered psychologist
-BHS gold membership
Key Areas of Expertise
Assessments
Assessments in learning, social and emotional development, disabilities and mental health issues
Therapeutic Support
Advice
Advice regarding programmes interventions and environments designed to address social emotional and behavioural issues and maximise progress
Consultancy
Programmes for Businesses & Schools
Programmes for individuals, groups, leaders and teams within businesses and schools
Case Work Supervision
Development
Support
Training
