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S.M.I.L.E. Schools

Whitburn Academy

S.M.I.L.E. works in partnership with Whitburn Academy to support young people with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

If you’d like to make a referral to join the waiting list for school counselling, please speak with your Pupil Support team or contact the school directly on 01501 740675.

Our counselling team work within the school on a regular basis and are here to provide a safe, supportive space for young people to talk things through.

Counsellors based at Whitburn Academy:
– Daniela Cernicchiaro
– Lynne Buckner

Schools counsellor

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DANIELA CERNICCHIARO (BSc, PGDip Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Daniela started her education studying Psychology at Queen Margaret University before completing her PGDip training in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Edinburgh University. She has volunteered with Place2Be for 4.5 years, working with children as a school counsellor alongside working for a charity specializing with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Through Place2Be, she completed her Level 4 Certificate in Counselling Skills for Working with Children.
Daniela was trained in an integrative approach to counselling and works with both person-centered and psychodynamic modalities when practicing.
 
In her spare time, Daniela enjoys reading and often spends a day off scouting charity shops for new things to read. She also spends a lot of her time with friends, enjoying the cinema and watching rugby together. She has two pet rabbits and a large family who she loves to be with. Daniela‘s family are originally from Italy where a lot of them still live, and who she frequently goes to visit in her family’s home town of Salerno. 

Schools Counsellor

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LYNNE BUCKNER (PGDIP)

Lynne has always enjoyed working with people and began her career in hospitality after gaining her degree from Napier University which included an internship in America. 

Lynne achieved her COSCA Counselling skills qualification with SMILE and her Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy Diploma, allowing her to practice as a Psychotherapist working with adults, young people and children. 

She has completed her Mental well-being and health certificate and First Aid for Mental Health certificate as well as taking part in ASIST Applied suicide intervention training and has a certificate from North East of Scotland College in Understanding children and young people’s mental health. 

When she’s not working with clients or training Lynne runs a family group in her local community which meets to offer support and activities to parents and children age 0-5 years. The group also offers and encourages positive mental health support. She’s an active volunteer at her local primary school where she champions health and well-being. 

Lynne is passionate about mental health and  committed to supporting clients through their therapeutic journey. 

In her spare time Lynne enjoys reading, trips to the cinema, eating out and spending time with her husband and children.

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