Mrs Pennie Aston
Member Status: Senior Accredited
Member No: PA00P10
Location: London
I am a keynote speaker, counsellor, coach, trainer and supervisor specialising in addressing the emotional repercussions of Dyslexia. I am dyslexic myself and have raised a dyslexic family.
An experienced and skilled facilitator of positive change, in both individuals and organisations, I have worked in the therapeutic field since 1999 preceded by a 20 year career in television and the performing arts. My personal and professional experience, some years ago, of being an un-diagnosed dyslexic person subject to professional conduct procedures, has given me exceptional understanding of the emotional repercussions of hidden disability and the needs and dynamics of people and organisations (and the relationships and structures within which they function) - plus the challenges that can arise when secondary presentations of Dyslexia are not fully understood both by the person and society at large.
Since setting up the charity GroOops Dyslexia Aware Counselling and Coaching in 2007, we have supported over 1000 clients through 1:1 support and groupwork. Finding 70% were neuro diverse, in 2014 we transitioned to being dyslexia (neuro diverse) specific. My work now focuses distinctively on providing emotional support for those with an assessment of dyslexia (along with their families); facilitating positive communication in educational and workplace settings through keynote speeches, trainings, workshops and presentations; helping people come to terms with and fully understand what dyslexia means to them; understand and adapt to its emotional and lifelong legacy; gain acceptance and allow dyslexic people to develop a resilient sense of identity and become their own best advocates.
As a 'Creative', (I am an artist, writer and singer/songwriter myself), I have a particular interest in supporting individuals with careers in the performing arts who are dyslexic and other organisations with similar interests in positive dyslexic identity development.
When not actively engaged with work, I can be found singing and playing guitar (badly but with great enthusiasm), writing, gardening and painting.
My areas of expertise include:
Keynote speeches relating to the Emotional Repercussions of Dyslexia
Dyslexia Awareness Training
Anxiety and Dyslexia
Relationships and Dyslexia
1:1 Dyslexia Aware Counselling
Provision of Supervision to professionals - individual and group
Professional Conduct Emotional Support
Mindfulness
Adult Dyslexia Therapeutic Coaching
Dyslexia Aware group counselling
All aspects of Bereavement and Loss particularly in the context of neurodiversity.
Performing Arts - Events, showcases.
Life Course Development - Ongoing psychological development throughout the life course