Our Network
Our Network
We’re really proud of the NVR Innovations Team, those we’ve trained, and our associates.
Get to know us!
Team
Denise Wilson, BA(open) Diploma S.W, Diploma HE. MSc Family Therapy, Diploma Teaching, Training & Supervision, NVR UK Board Member
With over 30 years of experience in child and adolescent mental health, I am deeply committed to supporting families through challenging times with compassion, skill, and insight.
I began my career as a social worker in 1993, later specialising in Systemic Family Therapy and earning an MSc from Oxford Brookes University. In 2006, I undertook advanced training in family therapy teaching, training, and supervision, and later became certified at Level 2 in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy under Dan Hughes.
Since retiring from my role in CAMHS, I’ve focused my work on Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) training and supervision. Alongside my colleague Margaret, I co-teach NVR on the Clinical Doctorate Course at the University of Southampton. I have been an NVR practitioner, teacher, trainer, and supervisor for over 17 years, and together we’ve presented at numerous national and international conferences across Europe.
I believe that maintaining a balance between professional life and personal well-being is essential — a core principle in NVR practice. I recharge by going to the gym, sewing, travelling, walking my dog Bailey, and spending quality time with my family. One of my greatest joys is spending time with my five-year-old grandson. His unique perspective and sense of wonder are refreshing, and he fills my days with laughter and light.
Dr Margaret Smith, PhD, PGCE, NPSLBA, NVR UK Member
With Denise, I developed Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) within Southampton and currently coordinate its training and delivery in the city. I work part-time at the Building Resilience and Strengths (BRS) team, a multi-agency CAMHS specializing in attachment- and trauma-focused approaches. Since joining BRS as a Specialist Teacher in 2003, I have focused on educational inclusion for young people, working with families, carers, and the multi-agency network. My role includes providing assessments, individual and group interventions, supervision, consultancy, and training, including for student social workers and teachers.
With a background in mainstream and specialist education, I achieved the status of National Specialist Leader in Behaviour and Attendance. I completed a Doctorate at Southampton University in 2014, focusing on multi-agency working and inclusion. I have also undertaken specialist training in Autistic Spectrum Conditions and Attachment Difficulties, including Level 1 Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy.
At home, I enjoy spending time with my family, despite our ongoing home decorating projects. We have two dogs: Ted, a small terrier with a big presence, and Lucy, a rescue dog from Romania. I love visiting exhibitions and shows with my daughter, who studies Art and Drama. Despite my poor eyesight, I have a knack for finding bargains in charity shops and have an impressive collection of shoes and handbags. I enjoy new challenges and have recently signed up for a hula hoop course.
Practitioners
Charlene Campbell
Charlene works for Time2Shine which provides support to children and parents, either individually or working in a dyadic way. These interventions can be delivered online or in person. Working within Adoption is an area interest and I have had several years of experience. I have developed and deliver an trauma informed NVR programme to parents on an individual basis and in groups either online or in person.
Title: NVR Accredited Practitioner + Certified Play Therapist and Theraplay® Practitioner
Services offered:
- Families 1-1
- Group delivery
Delivery:
- In person
- Online
- By telephone
Address: 34 North Way, Leeds, LS8 2LX
Phone number: 07717660810
Email: time2shineplaytherapy@gmail.com
Andy Kennedy
Andy is an NVR Accredited Practitioner – Andy’s experience is in youth work, work with young offenders, group work and Early Help. Andy has over 25 years of work in Local authority and Voluntary Sector settings. His particular interests are developing NVR practice and demonstrating the impact of NVR as an approach.
Maria Calway-Kennedy
Maria is an NVR Accredited Practitioner – Maria’s experience is in youth work, managing residential children’s homes, counselling and group work. Maria has over 25 years of work in Local authority and Voluntary Sector settings. Her particular interests are using NVR with young people in care.
Jeanette Janes
Jeanette Janes is an NVR Accredited Practitioner, Chartered Psychologist (PhD), Youth Options, RISE Coventry & Warwickshire, NVR Psychology.
Since 2020, Jeanette has specialised in using Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) to support families, focusing on emotion regulation and self-development. An accredited NVR Practitioner, she has also mentored other practitioners. As a Director of NVR Psychology, which she co-founded with Jemma, Jeanette offers a practical and empowering approach to family therapy. Their work is informed by trauma and grief, providing online support for families facing challenges such as violent behaviour, ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities, physical and mental disabilities, mutism, selective mutism, anxieties, OCD, and school-related anxieties.
Jeanette can be contacted on email: jeanettejanesnvr@gmail.com for further information for either group or individual support.
Jemma Cowley
NVR Accredited Practitioner, Youth Options, NVR Psychology
Since 2014, Jemma has specialised in using Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) to support families, focusing on ASD, ADHD, and PDA. An accredited NVR Practitioner and Supervisor, she has mentored several practitioners and taught Youth Workers to implement NVR in their work. Starting as a parent practitioner, Jemma offers compassionate insight into life before, during, and after implementing NVR strategies. She co-founded NVR Psychology with Jeanette to provide a practical and empowering approach to family therapy, informed by trauma and grief. They offer online support for families facing challenges such as violent behaviour, ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities, physical and mental disabilities, mutism, selective mutism, anxieties, OCD, and school-related anxieties.
Jemma can be contacted on email: jemmacowleynvr@gmail.com for further information for either group or individual support.
Keri Johnson
Keri Johnson has worked in the NHS for 28 years as a nurse, supporting families and young people in mental health settings. Her experience spans across general hospitals, CAMHS inpatient units, and community CAMHS. As a systemic practitioner, Keri was introduced to NVR during her time in Tier 3 CAMHS and went on to complete her training to become an accredited NVR practitioner in 2019.
Since then, she has delivered NVR groups within CAMHS, provided individual sessions for parents, and currently serves as joint chair of NVR Hampshire, where she helps bring practitioners together to share ideas and best practice. To further develop her expertise, Keri recently joined the NVR UK committee and is also a member of the NVR UK steering group.
She is passionate about working with young people and families, and is particularly committed to exploring the positive impact NVR can have on family life. Keri has a special interest in using NVR with neurodivergent young people—both professionally and personally, as a parent of two neurodivergent girls.
Associates
NVR Innovations are pleased to promote our supervisor associates.
They have all been trained by us and are very experienced in delivering NVR. In addition, they have been practicing as NVR supervisors in their workplace and independently.
They are happy to offer 1:1 supervision sessions please either get in touch with them directly or contact us in the first instance if you prefer.
Andy Kennedy
Andy’s experience is in youth work, work with young offenders, group work and Early Help. Andy has over 25 years of work in Local authority and Voluntary Sector settings. His particular interests are developing NVR practice and demonstrating the impact of NVR as an approach.
Carole Payne
Carol is an NVR accredited practitioner and supervisor with many years of experience working with children and families in various roles within the NHS. She qualified as a family therapist in 2006 and subsequently as a systemic supervisor.
Since discovering and training in NVR, Carol continues to enjoy working with families, individuals, and professionals. She is passionate about the positive changes that NVR can bring. Carol works both in person and online.
Her particular interest lies in supporting others in developing their NVR practice.
Training Associates
NVR Innovations are pleased to promote our training associates.
They have all been trained by us and are very experienced in delivering NVR.
They offer Level 1 Training, please either get in touch with them directly or contact us in the first instance if you prefer.
Barbra Borghetto
Barbra brings over 20 years of experience in Children and Families Services, Criminal Justice, and Youth Justice, having worked in community, residential, and custodial settings. She holds a Diploma in Probation Practice and a CBT coaching certificate, specializing in delivering interventions for individuals who display harmful sexual behaviors or intimate partner violence. Since 2019, NVR (Nonviolent Resistance) has been at the heart of her work, shaping her dedication to building healthier, violence-free communities.
Barbra is passionate about applying NVR approaches to support young people exhibiting harmful or disruptive behaviours in schools, residential and custodial settings, and individuals with learning disabilities. Her areas of interest include communication, neurodiversity, domestic abuse, parental conflict, and improving care standards for children in the Youth Justice System.
Phone: 07312258633
Email: LotusNVR@outlook.com
Website: www.lotusnvr-familysupport.org
Brigitte Short
Brigitte is an NVR UK accredited supervisor; trained to deliver level 1, 2 and 3, run parent groups; boasting a background in Educational Psychology, as well as being a Lecturer & Teacher.
Phone: 07754607223
Email: info@nvrfusion.com
Website: www.nvrfusion.co.uk
Ciara Briggs
Ciara is an NVR UK accredited supervisor; trained to deliver level 1, 2 and 3, run parent groups; with a background not only as a primary teacher, but also as a Senior Educational Psychologist.
Email: info@nvrfusion.com
Website: www.nvrfusion.co.uk