Meet The Team

Here for you & your family

Our devoted team at The Evolving Mind comprises compassionate and highly skilled professionals dedicated to nurturing the mental well-being of children.

Jenny Hooper

CEO and a Principal SEN Education Adviser

My name is Jenny Hooper, I’m the CEO of The Evolving Mind and a Principal SEN Education Adviser with 39 years of experience in the field of Education and Special Educational Needs.

I earned a Bachelor of Education degree with Honors in Primary Education and a master’s in Special Educational Needs.

Through my work, I have developed a solid foundation in mainstream education. I am a qualified teacher and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) with experience working with children aged 2.5 to 19 years. Specifically, I spent 10 years working with children and young adults with SEN.

Over the years, I have been inspired by the young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families. My goal is to create positive change and provide support through the challenges of the SEND landscape.

Outside of work, I enjoy directing and performing in local amateur dramatics with the Quince Players, aswell as spending time with my adult children and my two dogs, Dotty and Boo.

Anupama Dolly Agrawal

Consultant Paediatrician

I am Anupama Dolly Agrawal, a Consultant Paediatrician specialising in Community Child Health.
Children like to call me Dr Dolly.

I have 25 years of experience working as a doctor in the NHS. I qualified as doctor from Glasgow
University in Scotland in 1998 (MBCHB). I have postgraduate qualifications in Paediatrics and I am
full member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH). I have completed
advanced specialist training in Paediatrics and achieved Certificate of Specialist Training in
Paediatrics (CCCT) in 2017.

I have trained and worked in the leading tertiary Children’s Hospitals across the UK including The
Royal Hospitals for Children and Young People in Edinburgh and Glasgow. I have worked as a
Consultant in Community Paediatrics for Bromley Health Care in South East London for 2 years and
for the last 5 years I have been working as a Consultant for the Evelina Children’s Hospital in London.

I love working in community paediatrics because I am passionate about the holistic approach to
Child development, health and wellbeing. I have vast experience leading and developing children’s
services including safeguarding, children in care and adopted children and throughout these roles I
have been a strong advocate for Children’s rights, especially children with Special Educational needs.
I have also led projects around healthy weight, nutrition and wellbeing at the Evelina all of which
have greatly increased my understanding on the importance of exercise, sleep and nutrition for the
overall wellbeing of children.

I live in South East London with a daughter and identical twin boys and husband who is also an
expert in human rights. We have shared interests including singing, dancing and going the theatre,
both going to the theatre and performing!

Ricardo Estee Wale

Senior Educational Psychologist

I am Ricardo Solario Estee-Wale, a Senior Educational Psychologist at The Evolving Mind. With 30 years of experience, I’ve dedicated my career to working with children, young people, and families within the realm of special educational needs and disabilities. I hold dual PhDs in Child and Educational Psychology (specializing in Mental Health) and Special Education (Deaf Education). Additionally, I’ve earned two Master’s Degrees: an MA in Applied Social Studies & Social Work (with a focus on Child Protection and Disability) and an MA in Education (Specific Learning Difficulties). Complementing these qualifications are counseling certificates and various other diverse credentials. In my role as a Child/Educational Psychologist since 2011, I’ve served as both a Senior EP and Principal EP, working across multiple local authorities throughout England.

What I love most about my work is the positive impact I can make on the lives of children, young people, and their families. Outside of work, I am a single parent and a proud father to a lovely daughter. We share hobbies, including a passion for football (supporting Arsenal) and enjoying the theater. Additionally, I pursue my interest as an amateur pilot, though my daughter refuses to join me in this activity due to her aversion to heights and confined spaces!

Olly Stewart

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

My name is Olly. I am a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist at The Evolving Mind and have been working in pediatrics for 5 years.

I hold a first-class Degree with Clinical Distinction in Speech and Language Therapy from the University of Reading. I have received specialist training in several different interventions, including PECS, Attention Autism, Shape Coding, and Brick by Brick (aka Lego Therapy). Since graduating from university, I have worked in the North-West Surrey Speech and Language Therapy Team, primarily in mainstream schools and a specialist school for children with complex social communication needs (such as Autism). Additionally, I have worked in a school for children with learning and additional needs and in specialist language units.

I enjoy working with kids because watching them grow and develop is really fulfilling. In my spare time, I enjoy going to the gym, socialising with my friends, and spending time gardening.

Hannah Henderson

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Consultant

My name is Hannah, and I am a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Consultant at The Evolving Mind Clinic. With 15 years of experience in Special Educational Needs, I have held various roles. I hold a BA in English and Theology, along with a Level 4 SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) Casework Award. My knowledge has been enriched through direct work with children and their families.

I spent over 6 years in SEND Teams in Local Authorities, concluding as the manager of a SEND Team. Additionally, I worked in respite, directly assisting children and young people with high needs. I also played a role in launching a charity in my hometown of Slough, supporting children with additional needs in accessing mainstream settings and fostering inclusivity.

Working in SEN is rewarding as I witness the significant and small strides that children and young people make within their capabilities. Each individual should be celebrated for who they are and their achievements.

In my free time, I enjoy running (slowly!) with my dog Honey, particularly during Saturday morning Park Runs. I also engage in playing, umpiring, or watching hockey. Additionally, I spend time with two children, aiming to nurture their love for sports.

Shaili Parek

Counselling Psychotherapist

Hi, I am Shaili Parekh, and I work as a Counselling Psychologist at the Evolving Mind Clinic. Originally from India, I have been living in the UK for two years now, and I’ve been working with children and parents for four years. I pursued my first master’s in India as a Counselling Psychologist and then came to the UK to pursue my second master’s in Developmental and Therapeutic Play.

I previously worked in a school in Mumbai, India, as a behavioral counsellor and special educator before moving to the UK. Over the years, I have also worked as a social worker and a teaching assistant, gaining a diverse understanding of children in different settings. I have a deep love for working with children, and the field of psychology enables me to understand and help them for a brighter future. Apart from this, I enjoy engaging with people, making friends, socializing, and smiling along the way.

During my free time, you will often find me dancing, listening to music, watching movies, reading books, traveling, or, more than anything else, talking to my parents and friends back home.

Elouise Griffin

Integrative Counselling Therapist

My name is Elouise, and I am an Integrative Counselling Therapist here at The Evolving Mind. I have
been working in the mental health sector for more than 3 years.

I hold a First-Class Degree in Psychosocial Studies and Principles of Psychodynamic Counselling, as
well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling.

I am a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy registered therapist experienced in
helping children, young people, parents, and carers work through their mental health problems and
gain a greater understanding of themselves. I work relationally and believe that building a safe,
compassionate, and robust relationship is key to therapeutic change.

Alongside my role at The Evolving Mind, I also work as a school counsellor at a local school.
Previously, I worked at Mind, the mental health charity, leading wellbeing support groups.

I find it incredibly rewarding to see my clients regain hope for the future. I strive to offer a space safe
enough for my clients to be their most authentic selves, and that, too, allows me to be mine and this is
something I am grateful for!

In my free time, you can find me relishing in some self-care: cooking, enjoying a pyjama day, reading,
and dancing with my fabulous 6-year-old niece.

Jill Utting

Clinic Manager

My name is Jill, and I am the clinic manager at The Evolving Mind, overseeing our reception team and managing the daily operations of the clinic.

I obtained a Higher Level Teaching Assistant qualification before pursuing further studies with the Open University, where I earned a Foundation Degree in Primary Teaching.

After having my twins, I began working at a local junior school as a 1:1 support assistant. Over my 12-year tenure at the school, I worked with students aged 7-11, covering classes, and providing SEN support to groups.

Since becoming a parent, my work ethos has centered around making a positive impact, a principle that continues to guide me today. Helping young people achieve their best is a priority for me, and I take pride in contributing to this goal through my work at The Evolving Mind.

I reside locally with my husband, 22-year-old twins, a lively Cocker Spaniel, and an African Grey Parrot named Mabel. Additionally, I have 4 stepchildren and 11 grandchildren. Outside of work, I enjoy singing with a local community choir, attending the theatre, and having coffee with friends.