A social entrepreneur with over 35 years’ experience in the field of creativity, I have a special interest in play and human development. I originally trained in Occupational Therapy and Art and Play Therapy, and have a Master’s in Education focusing on play-based learning and differently-abled learners. I’m a passionate advocate for play, education, and social and emotional well being for all children. My social enterprise www.createcatt.com provides online and face to face training and consultancy across the globe.

Based in Singapore, I work in clinical practice with children with additional needs, and train at the Social Service Institute. I wrote the first Master’s course in Art Therapy in the ASEAN region for Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore, and am an associate lecturer for Singapore University of Social Sciences.

I also provide training, clinical visits and curriculum development in India and in the Philippines. Additionally, I was a Playfutures explorer with the LEGO Foundation, looking at play to develop the skills the world needs for the 21st Century.

I pioneered Developmental Play, an innovative approach to preverbal learning that gives health workers, teachers and parents the skills to help children, particularly those who are at risk or differently abled. Please visit www.developmental-play.com to find out more.

As a former development worker, I’m experienced in cross-cultural therapy and education models and, having started my career working in adult psychiatry, all my practice takes the long-term view of having sustainable impact across the lifespan.

Specialties:

• Creativity and human development
• Early childhood and play
• Special Needs
• Social and Emotional aspects of learning Inclusion
• Cross cultural issues in development, arts and health.
• Curriculum development and training
• Adult and child mental health
• Autistic spectrum disorder and creativity
• Sensory Integration
• DIR Floor-time