About Me

I understand that supporting a child who has experienced trauma can be both deeply rewarding and incredibly challenging. Secure Connections exists because I believe the adults supporting these children deserve support too.

You don't have to have all the answers and you don't have to do this alone.

Hi, I'm Sarah Dimond, a psychotherapeutic counsellor specialising in supporting parents and carers of children and young people who have experienced trauma.

As an adoptive parent myself, I understand first-hand the challenges — and the joys — that can come with parenting a child who has experienced trauma. My own experiences have been a big part of what inspired me to set up Secure Connections. I know how difficult the journey can be, and I also know what a difference the right support can make.

I bring a wealth of experience to my work, both professionally and personally.

I began my career as a primary school teacher, where I worked for 16 years. During that time, I developed a particular interest in children's emotional wellbeing, inclusion and the impact of early experiences. I became an Inclusion Coordinator, SENDCo, Thrive and ELSA practitioner, before becoming a headteacher.

Throughout my teaching career, I worked closely with children, parents and carers, supporting families through a wide range of challenges. I also delivered workshops for parents and professionals around attachment and trauma, developing my understanding of how early experiences can shape relationships, behaviour and emotional wellbeing.

For the past two and a half years, I have worked within an NHS mental health setting, supporting adults experiencing emotional and relational difficulties. In this role, I have developed experience using Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and working therapeutically with people facing complex emotional challenges.

All of these experiences have shaped the way I work today.

I believe that parents and carers deserve support too. It can be incredibly hard to keep meeting the emotional needs of a child when you're feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, anxious or unsure of what to do next.

I'm passionate about creating a warm, non-judgemental and supportive space where you can take a step back, make sense of what is happening and think about what you need.

And because I'm a teacher at heart, I'm always learning! I continually develop my knowledge and understanding through further training, reading and professional development, so that I can continue to offer thoughtful, informed support to the people I work with.