Meet the team
Dan Lawrence
CEO
Dan has been with YCT since April 2025 and is a senior manager with 25 years experience working in the charitable and health and social care sectors. Dan leads on the strategic direction of the charity but is also the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Dan is passionate about the contribution the charitable sector can make to mental health support, and recognises the increasing pressures on children, young people and their families. Dan has lived in the local area for many years and committed to the delivery of high quality, ethical and sustainable services.
Rebecca Cox
Clinical Lead
Rebecca is an experienced Art Psychotherapist, MBT practitioner, and Clinical Supervisor who leads YCT’s clinical work with integrity, creativity, and genuine care. She brings her substantial experience from the NHS, education, and the charity sector, giving YCT a strong and grounded clinical foundation.
A thoughtful and relational leader, Rebecca champions high standards and evidence-based practice while protecting the warmth and individuality that YCT is known for. Having returned to the area she grew up in, she is proud to support an organisation close to her heart.
Lucia Savcenko
Senior Clinical Coordinator
Lucia joined YCT during a lockdown in 2020. With a background in working within local community support services and a BSc in Psychology Lucia has brought a breadth of knowledge and experience that YCT has benefitted from. Lucia’s role is to oversee the delivery of services and ensure the delivery of therapy is running smoothly. Supporting both staff and therapists Lucia is an integral part of the team.
Bethany John
Clinical Coordinator
Bethany John joined the team in June 2024 as a Clinical Coordinator. She has previous experience working as a therapeutic practitioner with a background in psychology, mentoring, therapeutic interventions and assessments. Bethany is experienced in working across the board with children, families and adults, and holds a BSc in Psychology & Criminology. Bethany supports the service to promote and deliver for The Circle of Security Parenting Group and the everyday running of service delivery.
Julia Gibson
Senior Play Therapist
Having worked in schools for 20 years in the classroom Julia decided to follow her heart and train as a children and young person’s counsellor and play therapist. The need and value of therapeutic intervention at an early age was facing her every day. Julia joined YCT as a contracted play therapist in 2019 and in March 2022 she joined the staff team as Senior Play Therapist. Julia works both at YCT House and in schools. Julia states that allowing children the space and time to tell their stories and support them in processing their lives is a privilege and a pleasure.
Hannah Howland
Senior Art Therapist
Hannah is one of the senior therapists at YCT and a HCPC and BAAT registered Art Therapist. She has been with the team since 2022 and works within the community and school delivering art therapy sessions. Using art materials to help express and communicate, art therapy can help to make counselling accessible to those that find it difficult to verbalise how they are feeling. Hannah is passionate about raising awareness for mental health in young people and de-stigmatising reaching out for support. Alongside delivering clinical hours, Hannah helps to support the clinical team in the day-to-day running of YCT.
Jenny Wood
Clinical Coordinator
Jenny joined the team on a temporary basis in July 2025 as a Clinical Coordinator. She has previous experience working in education with a background in safeguarding and assessments. Jenny is experienced in working with children, families and adults. Jenny acts as a key point of contact for our therapist working within education settings
Toni Evans
Senior Play Therapist
Toni joined the YCT team in August 2024. Toni’s role as a Play Therapist is to support primary school age children to process whatever life challenges they have experienced and regulating their emotions. Toni connects with the children, on their level and at their pace using whichever play items they choose. Available for them to use are a selection of games, music, toys, arts & crafts including sensory materials such as clay and sand. Toni has 17 years of experience working with children, young people and their families, including specialist areas such as, adoption, bereavement/loss, sexual abuse and trauma. Play therapy can help children understand and process their story so far by using their natural form of communication, play!
Cathy Banks
Finance Officer
Cathy joined the team in May 2017 as YCT's Finance Officer. Having previously worked mainly within the pensions industry this was her first role within the charity sector. She has seen the charity grow over the years and although her role is non client facing, she is proud to be using her financial skills to support the team in delivering and developing a much-needed service.
Therapists
The backbone of the charity
YCT has over 40 therapists working within schools and in the community across Essex and Hertfordshire. It is the dedication , professionalism and commitment to the children and young people they serve that has enabled YCT to have such a positive impact on those it supports.
Our impact
In 2023/24
We supported 1,848 children and young people.
With 13,003 hours of counselling.
97% of the children and young people that we support experience positive outcomes following sessions.
Volunteering
Corporate partners
Individual fundraising
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Stories of change
