“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but, importantly, you are not the rain”

Matt Haig

About Forest Flourish

At Forest Flourish, I provide supportive, creative sessions for children and young people who may be finding their emotions overwhelming or difficult to manage. My aim is to create a calm, safe space where children feel comfortable exploring how they feel, learning strategies to regulate big emotions, and building confidence in themselves.

I work with children aged between 7 and 18, supporting a wide range of needs. This may include children experiencing anxiety around school, neurodivergent children who would benefit from help understanding and managing their emotions, or young people who have recently finished a structured intervention and would benefit from ongoing support while putting strategies into practice. I also work with home-educated children who may benefit from regular creative sessions that gently explore wellbeing and emotional understanding.

Every child is different, so sessions are flexible and tailored to the individual. Using creative approaches such as art, craft and reflective activities, I help children express themselves in ways that feel natural and safe. Sessions can take place one-to-one in the child’s home, in a community space, or outdoors, depending on what feels most comfortable and supportive for them. Online sessions can also be offered where appropriate.

I bring over a decade of experience working with children in schools, most recently as the Family Support Worker, Senior Mental Health Lead and Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) in a primary school. Alongside this role, I have completed training including the Senior Mental Health Lead qualification, Trusted Emotionally Available Adult training, Mental Health First Aid, Sense of Belonging workshops, and Therapeutic Practitioner training. This background has given me extensive experience supporting children from a wide range of backgrounds who may need a little extra emotional support.

Alongside my practical experience, I hold a degree in Sociology with Health Studies, which has deepened my understanding of wellbeing, development and the factors that can impact children’s emotional health.

I have an Enhanced DBS and am fully insured. My work is not counselling, but a supportive and nurturing space where children can talk, create, and learn practical strategies to help them manage their emotions. If during our work together it becomes clear that a child would benefit from more specialist support, I can also guide families towards appropriate services.

Having worked in education for many years, I have seen first-hand how important emotional wellbeing is for children. When children feel safe, understood and emotionally regulated, they are far better able to engage with learning, relationships and the world around them.

Forest Flourish was created to give children and young people that space — to feel heard, to understand their emotions, and to grow in confidence so they can truly flourish.

“‘Positive vibes only’ isn’t a thing. Humans have a wide range of emotions and that’s OK”.

Molly Bahr

Hi, I’m Sophie and I am the person behind Forest Flourish.

Forest Flourish grew from my time working in a school, where I discovered that the part of my role I cared most about was supporting children and young people with their emotional wellbeing and mental health. I loved being able to create space for them to talk, explore their feelings, and feel understood. Over time, I realised I wanted to focus fully on that work, and Forest Flourish was born.

Nature and creativity are a big part of my life, and they naturally shape the way I connect with young people. I believe that some of the best moments of reflection and growth happen when we slow down, get outdoors, or use creativity to express things that can be hard to put into words.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me doing something creative — painting with watercolours, lino printing, or heading to a craft workshop to learn a new skill. I also love being outdoors, whether that’s walking with my dogs and my family, spending time in the garden growing flowers and vegetables, or learning the fascinating world of beekeeping.

I am very drawn to the sea. There’s something about being by the water - the sound of the waves, the open space, the fresh air - that has a wonderful way of soothing the soul.

Forest Flourish reflects the things that matter most to me: kindness, creativity, connection with nature, and helping young people feel safe, confident, and able to flourish.

Picture taken by Rosy Webb on a beautiful sunny day in Lydney park.