Claire Dowe

Claire gained her BSc (Hons) degree in Occupational Therapy from Canterbury Christ Church University College in 2000 and has spent most of her OT career working in mental health. This has included adult forensic psychiatry, adult in-patient and community mental health teams. Claire then worked with adolescents and young adults in the specialist team ‘Early Intervention in Psychosis’ (EIS) for two years before moving onto CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service), where she has spent the last nine years.

As well as working with children, young people and their families across all areas of mental health, Claire also worked within a diagnostic sub-team for (high functioning) Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and Attention disorders e.g. ADHD. It was working with these service-users and their families that Claire was able to recognise both the incredible talents of these young people but of also the importance of some specific needs, some of which appeared related to their sensory processing. Therefore Claire went on to complete her postgraduate certificate in Sensory Integration (Modules 1 – 3) in 2016 and  used this theory and sensory strategies, in her work.

In terms of her therapeutic approach, Claire particularly likes to think ‘outside of the box’ when working with young people and especially, utilise both practical and creative thinking alongside her therapeutic use of self.

Outside of work Claire loves to travel and see new places and faces. She also enjoys re-designing space both indoors and out, especially in bringing themes of nature and the outdoors, inside. This love of the outdoors is shared with her Labrador Macie who like Claire, will run into the sea as soon as she is on the beach. SENsi have also given the go-ahead for Macie to join Claire in the office on some days, which has made them both very happy!