About Us
Welcome to the Roots! We’re here to help young people in Waltham Forest feel better and face any challenges they may be facing. Since 2024, we’ve been offering free mental health support across schools and family centres in our community. We’re funded by the council and work as part of Groundwork London to bring you the best support possible.
Our main focus is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), but we also offer other types of help like systemic family therapy, solution focussed therapy, and single session workshops.
What do we offer?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
This is a type of talking therapy that helps you understand how your thoughts and feelings affect your actions. It’s great for dealing with things like anxiety, depression and stress. The Roots offers opportunities and tools for young people and families to develop their physical, emotional, and social skills through one-on-one sessions, group sessions, virtual resources, and peer mentoring.
Systemic Family Therapy
This involves working with you and your family to help everyone understand each other better and find ways to improve relationships at home.
Solution Focused Therapy
This is a short-term therapy that focuses on your goals and finding practical solutions to the issues you’re facing.
Single Session Workshops
These are quick one-time sessions where you can get immediate help and strategies for dealing with specific problems. Currently all our single session workshops are aimed at parents of young people.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This is a type of talking therapy that helps you understand how your thoughts and feelings affect your actions. It’s great for dealing with things like anxiety, depression and stress. The Roots offers opportunities and tools for young people and families to develop their physical, emotional, and social skills through one-on-one sessions, group sessions, virtual resources, and peer mentoring.
Systemic Family Therapy: This involves working with you and your family to help everyone understand each other better and find ways to improve relationships at home.
Solution Focused Therapy: This is a short-term therapy that focuses on your goals and finding practical solutions to the issues you’re facing.
Single Session Workshops: These are quick one-time sessions where you can get immediate help and strategies for dealing with specific problems. Currently all our single session workshops are aimed at parents of young people.
Meet the team
We have a fantastic team of friendly professionals who are her to support you including CBT Therapists, Systemic Family Practitioners, and Art psychotherapists. Here’s a little bit about each of them.
Samuel Rogers
Service Manager
Hi, I’m Sam Rogers, the Service Manager for the Roots Service and a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT). With a wealth of experience working with young people, I specialize in providing tailored support through both individual and group sessions.
I believe CBT can help young people find empowerment, resilience, and growth. It offers a practical, evidence-based approach to help you overcome life’s challenges. In our sessions, we’ll work together to meet you where you are right now, understanding your unique experiences and identifying actionable steps to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.
Katrina Jenkins
Children's Wellbeing Practitioner
My name is Katrina Jenkins, and I am a Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner with Groundwork, part of the dedicated Roots team in Waltham Forest. I specialize in working with children, parents, and entire families using a family systemic approach. This method focuses on building positive communication, nurturing healthy relationships, managing conflict, and enhancing overall family wellbeing.
Within the Roots team, I lead groups for young people and offer whole-family support sessions, where parents and children can come together to receive support. My approach to making therapy engaging and effective uses talking, play, art, games and activities, tailored to each family’s needs. I also provide workshops for parents and carers, sharing ideas, strategies and knowledge that can support children’s mental health and wellbeing.
Cochisa Paul-George
Children's Wellbeing Practitioner
Hi my name is Cochisa Paul-George and I’m a Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner at Groundwork and a member of The Roots team in Waltham Forest.
I am a qualified integrative therapist specializing in working with children and young adults. My approach is rooted in Systemic theory, Psychodynamic, Attachment theory, and a Person-centred methodology. I integrate these with solution-focused methods and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) practices to tailor my approach to the unique needs of each child.
With a wealth of knowledge and extensive experience working with children, I understand that every child is an individual with their own voice, needs, and aspirations, regardless of age. My therapeutic approach incorporates play, creativity, and empowerment through recognizing both differences and similarities. This helps build confidence, resilience, and supports the overall well-being and mental health of children.
I believe in fostering a safe and nurturing environment where children can express themselves freely. My goal is to empower children to overcome challenges, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and thrive in their personal and social lives.
Within the Roots team, I lead groups for young people and offer whole-family support sessions, where parents and children can come together to receive support. My approach to making therapy engaging and effective uses talking, play, art, games and activities, tailored to each family’s needs. I also provide workshops for parents and carers, sharing ideas, strategies and knowledge that can support children’s mental health and wellbeing.