Hi - I’m Jessica.
I specialise in working with children and young people who might be experiencing difficulties at school, are out of school, or have an Education Otherwise Than at School (EOTAS) package. I also work with young people who attend school, yet may be struggling with some aspects of life.
Therapeutic Mentoring – with children and young people through online gaming.
How I Work
My approach is unique – I work primarily through play, immersing myself in the world of the video games that your child feels comfortable in. Sometimes just playing may be all a child wants to do for months or even years. I don’t sandwich in advice at every opportunity, but I do provide an ever increasing space over time, where a child is helped to feel progressively more comfortable and safe expressing their feelings, dreams, thoughts and worries.
As a parent, it can be challenging to deeply listen to your child in daily life (ask me how I know!). But as your child’s mentor, I have dedicated time and focus to take in all the ways your child communicates anything that is on their mind.
I believe that once a young person feels understood, change can happen. This change is always child initiated, and I aim to help a child move towards living a more fulfilled, enjoyable life, without exerting pressure. I don’t provide strategies, star charts or booklets. I believe if these worked for the issues your child is facing, you wouldn’t be here.
I help young people explore who they are, understand what they’re feeling, and give them the space to grow. In my experience, this leads to a young person being more able to navigate the trickier parts of life with a more balanced perspective, freeing them up to pursue the things which give them pleasure and meaning.
Contact jessicafealty@gmail.com for more details
Who I help
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Children out of school / EOTAS
Children who are currently out of school or following an Education Otherwise Than at School (EOTAS) pathway.
I provide a consistent, low-pressure space where they can feel comfortable, build trust, and reconnect at their own pace.
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Young people struggling in school
Young people who are attending school but finding it difficult — whether socially, emotionally, or academically.
I support them in making sense of their experiences and building confidence, without adding extra pressure.
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Those finding everyday challenging
Young people who may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure of themselves in day-to-day life.
Through a calm and familiar environment, I help them feel understood and more able to navigate things in their own way.
Therapeutic Mentoring – with children and young people through online gaming.
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For: groups of professionals interested in learning more about the world that the young people of today increasingly inhabit, especially those working with ‘hard to reach’ young people who may refuse to engage in traditional support offered to them.
This hour-long talk describes my work with hard-to-reach young people, who are often neurodivergent and/or struggling with their mental health. Young people will play games such as Minecraft or Fortnite with me, and I listen carefully to all they have to say, as well as what is going unsaid - all while considering the play they are engaging in using a psychoanalytic lens.
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For: children and young people from 6-18
A talk tailored to your school or year group, including risks you may have recently identified. I work with you to create a talk which is interesting and engaging to young people, while promoting online safety.
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For: parents and caregivers of primary and secondary aged children
Unlike most adults, I play videogames professionally with children online all day, every day. I play the games children are interested in, such as Roblox and Fortnite, many of which parents are not interested in - either giving their children total freedom with them or banning them entirely.
In this talk, I immerse adults in my world for 45 minutes and give them confidence in navigating parenting in this modern age. I help caregivers feel more confident in setting boundaries and limits for their child’s online gaming, as well as explaining some common issues with popular platforms, and show parents how to ensure their children’s settings are at a level they are comfortable with - as well as describe ways I have seen children get around restrictions.
Alongside this, I give tips and advice about how parents and caregivers can play therapeutically with their own children.
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For: your audience
Please contact me if you have something you would like me to speak about.
Talks
I give talks to a variety of audiences, please contact me if you would like me to speak to your staff or community.
Contactjessicafealty@gmail.com for more details
About
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Jessica Collier
Geek Therapy certified Mentor
Jessica has over ten years’ experience working with children, including over three years as a therapeutic video game mentor supporting neurodivergent young people.
Jessica has particular experience working with young people with a PDA profile, and many parents report that their child is able to engage with them in ways that haven’t felt possible before. Jessica’s approach is low-demand and relationship-led, focusing on meeting each young person where they are and building trust at their pace.
Alongside her mentoring work, she holds a First Class degree in Physics, a PGCE, and a diploma in working with children and young people using a psychoanalytic observational approach. Jessica has also completed additional training in areas including interoception, autism support, safeguarding, and self-harm awareness.
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Charlotte Pitt
Child and adolescent psychotherapist
Charlotte is a experienced gaming-friendly therapist and supervisor, who works with neurodivergent young people from 0-25 years old. She creates a relaxed, non-judgemental space where your interests are welcome - including video games. Charlotte works in person in Cheltenham, or online.
For more information, please visit Charlotte’s website:
We are fully insured, DBS checked, and can provide policies on request.
FAQ’s
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Jessica’s sessions are £50 each and subject to availability can be once, twice or thrice a week. If you feel your child would benefit from sessions but finances are a barrier, please get in touch. Please contact Charlotte for her availability and rate. Schools and local authorities can fund sessions - please get in touch if you would like me to liaise on your behalf to secure funding.
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Sessions are 50 minutes long.
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For mentoring, a gaming platform capable of online play (please ask if unsure, and we can help you set yours up safely), and a way of communicating- this may be in-game, via a video call or Discord. For therapy, Charlotte uses a secure online platform which requires a web browser to access.
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Ideally - yes, however, if you feel this will be a problem for your young person, please get in touch to discuss other options such as text-only mentoring.
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Jessica can write reports at a rate of £50 per report, including small updates over a calendar year. Meeting attendance is charged at £50 per hour or part of hour. Jessica aims to have a regular phone call with parents to discuss how the work is going and for parents to update me on their child’s development outside of sessions. For Charlotte’s rates, please contact her directly.
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Jessica primarily plays Fortnite, Minecraft and Roblox, but has many other games. Please get in touch if your young person plays a game that's not listed!
Therapeutic Mentoring – with children and young people through online gaming.
Testimonials
Contact jessicafealty@gmail.com for more details
Therapeutic Mentoring – with children and young people through online gaming.