The Team

WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF VIG PRACTITIONERS SPECIALISING IN PREGNANCY AND EARLY YEARS

Monika Celebi

I am a national video interaction guider, trainer, supervisor, movement therapist and parent infant psychotherapist. For 30 years I have worked with individuals, families, groups and organisations. I believe passionately that we need to support parents and babies, whatever their background, especially in the period before and after birth. I founded Babies1st, because I know that VIG is a wonderful way to empower parents and help them improve their confidence, communication with and delight in their babies.

I think that all families who want this help, should have an opportunity to benefit from VIG.

To find out more about Monika see monikacelebi.com

Norma Thompson

I have always had an interest in the development of young children. I started a playgroup when my son was born and we were living in a rural area of Northern Ireland. The interest continued and I undertook a degree in Early Childhood studies and Educational studies. I was an advisor to playgroups in Oxford working for the Pre-school Playgroup Association and was employed by Oxfordshire County Council as a Development Officer working with Childminders and After School Clubs. For 11 years I managed Florence Park Children’s Centre where we were able to offer support to mothers and fathers both ante and postnatally. Having seen the difference this made to the families influenced me to join Monika as a Director of Babies1st.

Rebecca Carr-Hopkins

I have been working with children and their families for thirty years. I started my career as a youth worker, before training as a social worker. I have worked in the area of child protection since this time, initially as a practitioner and then as a manager. After fifteen years of working for the local authority, I set up an independent practice primarily so I could work directly with families again. Early into that new chapter in my life, I discovered video interaction guidance and fell in love! I have seen VIG make a huge difference to the relationships between parents and their babies and children and am passionate about having it be available to all parents as early as possible. I am a VIG guider, supervisor and trainer.

Helen Godson

I retrained as solicitor when my children reached secondary school age and since then have set up and run several new businesses. After taking early retirement I worked as PA and researcher for a conferencing company. I am currently on the management board of three charities. I am a grandmother of 4 and try only to give advice on parent/child relationships when it’s likely to be well received! My hobbies are contemporary dancing, mosaics and gardening. I am thrilled to be working as Administrator/Researcher with Babies1st.

Sarah Lukonyomoi-Otunnu

I am a Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) trainee. I have worked for over 15 years with children, young people and families within different settings such as nurseries, a Children Centre, and Social Services. This included
play work, facilitating a parenting programme and intensive family support. I am passionate about helping families give children the best start in life, as I know the value of this in developing resilience in children for later life. I enjoy supporting families to work through issues in a creative way with a systemic approach for holistic wellbeing.

Corinne Sheppard

I have worked with young children and families for over 12 years. I completed my full BA Hons Degree in Early Years Progressional States.
I worked in nurseries and then in a Children’s Centre, where I met with many families within the Centre and the families homes. I have always been passionate that every parent and family needs some support and guidance along the way. Being a parent to a young child I can relate to the pressure of what it takes to be a good parent and I am really pleased to be part of Babies1st. Since training in VIG I have taken this approach nto my workplace and been working with families to support them to feel more confident, pick up cues and better understand their babies.

Bobby Taylor

I started my career over 25 years ago as a nurse and subsequently as a health visitor. Drawn to the psychological and emotional aspects of family life I trained as a psychodynamic counsellor and worked in primary care. For 19 years I practiced as a parent infant therapist in a local charity supporting parents and babies in children centres both one to one and in groups. I now have an independent practice in the Thames Valley area. Since 2015 I started using VIG and am a trainee VIG supervisor. I am dedicated to facilitate more empathic, sensitive and attuned relationships between parents and babies.

Jenny Jarvis

As a Chartered Counselling Psychologist I have worked in Mental Health Services and Children’s Centres for over 25 years, I have seen how Video Interaction Guidance has enriched the lives of many families. I am now an independent VIG Supervisor. In the past I was a single working mother with two young children, so I know the difficulties parents can face, and the importance of strengths based supportive therapies. I am lucky enough to share a home with my son, daughter-in-law and baby grandson! I am pleased to work with Babies 1st and to stand alongside parents to help build their relationships together.

Sharon Pinhas

I have worked in health and social care for over 20 years, first as an occupational therapist and now in Westminster Children Services as family therapist.

I discovered Video Interaction Guidance about 10 years ago and it had a huge influence on my practice and on me personally as a mum of 2 children. I am passionate about guiding parents to notice magical moments of attunement between themselves and their child. I have been privileged to work with families with children of all ages and from diverse backgrounds and to supervise a wide range of professionals.

Kate Miller

I am a Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) practitioner and trainee supervisor. My background is in primary school education where I have taught for over 18 years. Currently I am commissioned for VIG by schools as well as offering private consultations. I have co-led Baby Watching groups and training to facilitate such groups. My belief is that VIG can create lasting change and help parents and professionals to enjoy more connected moments with their children.
Last but not least I am a mum to seven-year-old twins.

Pamela Hamilton

I have worked as an Educational and Child Psychologist (EP) since 2016. Throughout my training and as a qualified EP I have gained extensive experience working in a range of settings and with Looked After Children. I grew up in the heart of East London in a highly diverse community and believe much of my open mindedness and understanding of others is due to this. I deeply believe in Video Interaction Guidance changing lives and this is what has inspired me to become a VIG practitioner.

Marie Robertson

I worked in the NHS in maternity services for 21 years, and then in a residential assessment centre, specialising in attachment, infant mental health and risk assessment. For 15 years I am an independent AVIGuk practitioner, supervisor and trainer and have been involved with setting up VIG projects nationwide.

I particularly like training professionals in perinatal services, because this work is so important. I supervise on the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust post graduate diploma, and on the Empowering Parents and Professionals Project with Babies 1st.

I have a huge passion for the VIG model, which offers hopefulness to families whether they are coping well or struggling.