Leah McComb

I have an interested in playful pedagogies and approaches to teaching. I think characteristics of wonder, creativity, and curiosity are powerful components of play and extremely useful in a learning context. I take a person-centred apporach to teaching and learning and encourage learners to find and create meaning for themselves in the learning environment, thinking about how theory and knowledge applies to their lived experiences, and always relating learning back to social work practice. 

I am passionately intersted in the role of play in life and how we can incorporate more play into social work and counselling/psychotherapy practices. 

I run a non-profit Forest School for neurodivergent adults and am interested in development and accessiblity within outdoor theraputic spaces, both in social care areas as well as in traditional counselling and psychotherapy. 

As an autistic and ADHD person, I have lived experience of disability and difference in the world. Much of my research interests involve exploring barriers disabled and neurodivergent people face and understanding inclusive practices and neuro-affirmative practices. 

I have a background in teaching elementary school (primary school) students and English language learners in S. Korea, Texas, Guatemala, and England. After qualifying with an MSc in Social Work from the University of Brighton, I spent several years working in a Local Authority Children's Disability Service which included statutory child protection work as well as assessing care and support needs under the Children Act. Following this frontline experience, I spent a few years working as a Functional Family Therapist delivering a systemic family therapy model within adolescent services to families where children are on the edge of care. I am now a social work lecturer at the University of Brighton where I am also completing a PGDip in Humanistic Counselling and Psychotherapy. Alongside this I run a non-profit therapeutic Forest School for neurodivergent adults.