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Mike Ogden

You’ve met the service — now meet the person.

Mike leads MJO Wellbeing Services, bringing experience in therapeutic support, coaching, pastoral care, and youth work. His approach is calm, practical, and rooted in real connection — helping children, families, and adults build confidence, resilience, and balance in everyday life.

He believes change starts with feeling understood and supported, one small step at a time.

 

I’m Mike Ogden (he/him), a practitioner with over 25 years’ experience supporting children, young people, and families across primary and secondary education. My approach is warm, relational, and grounded in the values of equity, belonging, and emotional safety.

 

I hold an HNC in Counselling and I’m currently completing both my HND in Counselling and a Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People. My aim is to offer a full counselling service from March 2026.

 

In the meantime, I provide therapeutic support and coaching for individuals aged 8+, alongside group work and consultancy for families, schools, and community services.

 

I’m also a certified Relax Kids coach and an experienced pastoral manager, dedicated to helping children and young people build confidence, resilience, and self-worth — the foundations for thriving in school and in life.

Supporting Behaviour and Belonging

 

In a previous role, I led an initiative that improved behaviour and attendance across Years 7 to 11, achieving:

• 33% reduction in low-level incidents

• 45% reduction in high-level incidents

 

This progress came from working with young people and the wider school community to identify patterns and triggers, then co-creating personalised interventions with pupils and staff — including Individual Behaviour Plans, exit passes, peer mentoring, and alternative timetables. Each step helped young people take ownership of their emotions and learning.

Multi-Agency, Child-Centred Support

 

I’ve supported children facing a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, bullying, family breakdown, identity questions, and neurodevelopmental differences.

 

I work closely with parents, parent councils, educational psychologists, CAMHS, school nurses, social workers, and other professionals to ensure families receive joined-up support. My collaborative, wraparound approach reflects GIRFEC and trauma-informed practice — seeing each child in context and ensuring they feel safe, supported, and included.

Practice Philosophy

 

At the core of my work is relationship. I believe authenticity builds trust, and that trust is the foundation for growth.

 

I bring consistency, compassion, and respect to my therapeutic support and coaching — particularly when working with young people who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). In these relationships, I offer:

• Regular one-to-one sessions

• Space to reflect on identity, self-worth, and purpose

• Positive reinforcement that nurtures motivation and hope

Lived Experience and Lifelong Learning

 

My own journey — including challenges around stereotypes and prejudice — has shaped my commitment to equity, acceptance, and self-reflection.

 

I continue to pursue professional development and my own therapeutic growth, completing qualifications in counselling and related fields. This ongoing learning helps me meet people with both understanding and practical tools for change.

Approach Today

 

I use a person-centred approach across all areas of my work, helping clients:

• Understand their emotions and behaviours

• Develop self-compassion and emotional literacy

• Set meaningful goals and move forward with purpose

 

Whether you’re a parent, young person, or professional, I offer a calm, non-judgemental space to reflect, grow, and move toward what matters most.

 

I am fully insured and hold an enhanced PVG certificate for work with both children and adults.

An portrait of Mike Ogden

Training

PVG Checked

Public Liability & Indemnity Insurance (Including Therapy Dog)

BACP Student Member

Relax Kids License

Information Commissioner's Office Registered

2024

Relax Kids Coach Training

Decider Skills

HNC, Counselling

Child Exploitation Training

2022

Mentoring Training via the Scottish Mentoring Network

2021

Designated Safeguarding Lead Training.

Basic Boxall Profile Online Competency Course.

ADHA - eLearning Module.

Attachment & Loss - eLearning Module.

Autism - eLearning Module.

Child Sexual Exploitation Training.

GDPR Awareness.

Impulsive Behaviours - eLearning Module.

Introduction to Therapeutic Parenting - eLearning Module.

Online Safety & Cyberbullying - eLearning Module.

Social Media, Selfies & Sexting - eLearning Module.

Managing Challenging Behaviours - eLearning Module.

Working as Part of a Multi-Agency Team for Foster Carers - eLearning Module.

Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Looked After Children - eLearning Module.

County Line - eLearning Module.

Positive Behaviour Support - eLearning Module

2020

Supporting Young People to Break the Cycle of Self-Harm.

Break the Cycle of Emotionally Based School Avoidance (School Refusal).

2018

Parental Mental Health & Families.

Memberships

2014

Bachelor of Science (Hons) Open.

A degree from the Open University covering Children's Literature & ICT.

Mike
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