My professional training background in social work, equips me with direct insight into the challenges affecting children, young people and families. Having dedicated over 22 years across diverse multi-agency settings, to working with young people and families who experience multiple issues and complex needs enhances my capacity to relate, be contemporary and relevant in my practices. My professional portfolio includes; co-ordinating one of London’s first Pupil Referral Unit's, managing an East London Connexions Service for vulnerable young people, co-ordinating local authority services for vulnerable and deprived families i.e. victims of domestic violence.

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Retraining in Mental Health and Therapeutic practices, allows me the opportunity to provide transformative therapeutic services to people with mild to moderate difficulties. In more recent years, I pride myself in being able to provide counselling specifically for young people through issues to include depression, anxiety, mild trauma symptoms, issues of bullying, a lack of purpose and direction and more. Mentoring to children includes those who experience being looked after by foster parents and systemic family intervention to families with teenagers who are at risk. Additionally, as a Specialist Mentor, I provide university students with specific learning difficulties (Sp.Ld) and meet the disability support allowance (DSA) of Student Finance England with one to one support and skills to overcome barriers to academic progression and mental wellness. 

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I remain excited to share our new therapeutic informed services; Talk2Grow Youth Counselling,  our unique Positive Minds Positive Families Programme and Talk2Grow Mentoring.  Each, are designed to empower vulnerable, at risk young people, families and those experiencing multiple complex issues.  Our person-centred and systemic services focus on well-being, raising aspirations, empowerment and strengthening families. We are inclusive to young people, families and communities from diverse backgrounds. In addition, work both independently and collaboratively with partners in the delivery of culturally sensitive services for those with additional disadvantages to include African Caribbean heritage communities. It is the collaboration of these personal and professional experience, alongside therapeutic training, which contribute to the uniqueness and authenticity of this therapeutic informed Talk Service. 

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Whilst a keynote speaker, I am passionate about facilitating opportunities for young people and survivors of adverse experiences to give voice to their testimonials, achievements, stories of faith and hope. 

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If you are a young person or parent reading this bio and are in need of our support, our key message is that at Carol McKenzie Talk Service, we care, we listen, we support and we empower lives, one voice at a time!