Dara works with people who are struggling to cope with life stressors, career challenges, relationship issues or mental illness. She helps them to gain clarity and develop tools so that they can overcome obstacles. Having spent over 30 years in direct practice and leadership roles she has developed an expertise in working with people who are facing crises and challenging life situations. She has also conducted extensive research in the area of disaster resilience and is a published author.
She uses a client focused, eclectic and humanistic approach to therapy. She believes that social worker Darra each person has the potential for healing and change. She is dedicated to helping people discover their strengths and achieve their goals. Her areas of expertise are in addressing trauma, grief and loss, self compassion and resiliency. Her professional experience includes work with adults, children and youth.
Social workers are employed by a variety of organisations including local authorities, charities and the NHS. They are paid according to their level of training and experience. A new social worker can expect to be paid at AfC band 6, while a senior social worker with extensive experience may be able to move up to bands 7 and 8. Social workers in the NHS often work standard hours, though some may work evenings and weekends.
Whether you are looking to start your career or want to become a more effective therapist, there is a path that can lead to success. Start by asking yourself what you are passionate about and talk to people in the field about their experiences. It’s ok to have a vague idea of the type of work you want to do, but be open to changing your mind once you get on the course.
There are a number of ways to get into social work in England, such as completing a degree, postgraduate certificate or degree apprenticeship standard. Most courses last three to four years full time and some are offered in partnership with health care providers, including the NHS. You can find information about the different options on our course finder.