Karen O’Neill and Tara McDonald founded PIP Solutions Training and Consultancy in 2018. As experienced adult psychotherapists and child therapists, they understand how to create and deliver meaningful training to equip clinicians with knowledge and skills, fostering ongoing development in the field of child therapy.
Here is their Founders’ Story and why PIP Solutions Training and Consultancy should be your therapy training provider of choice:
We first met in 2013 during Family Therapy training and, though it may sound like a cliché, we formed an instant connection. As it turned out, our professional paths had much in common, both of us began our careers working with adults before moving into child, adolescent, and family work. We share a passion for delivering high-quality, creative, and forward-thinking training, consultation, and supervision aimed at empowering therapists and professionals working with children and young people.
Shared vision
Whilst we both have our own psychotherapy and consultancy businesses, through our own professional journeys and experiences, we recognised a significant gap in the learning and development opportunities available to therapists. Understanding theory alone wasn’t enough. We believe real learning happens when it is felt, when theory is brought to life through practical application and embodied skills.
With PIP Solutions Training, we design bespoke accredited training courses that are delivered through a creative, engaging and rich learning experience.
Synergistic Partnership
Whilst we share our career path, and passion for proactively advancing child therapy, our partnership works well not only because of our similarities but our differences!
Karen brings a vibrant mix of creativity, fresh ideas, and an energetic, “let’s try it” attitude. Tara complements those attributes with her logical and organised approach.
Built on a strong friendship, deep professional respect, and a shared passion for therapeutic work and clinical supervision, their complementary strengths help keep PIP Solutions Training both grounded and strategically focused. Their partnership strikes the perfect balance!
Unique Offer
Our aim is to provide training that we would have wanted ourselves as child therapists, and what we would have benefitted from earlier in our careers.
We keep our training groups small to foster a safe, intimate environment where every voice is heard. Rather than delivering lectures, our sessions centre around meaningful dialogue, reflective practice, and breakout discussions that encourage sharing of real-life experiences.
Recognising the challenge of translating theory into practice, especially in the playroom, we provide three months of post-training support. This includes one-to-one follow-up opportunities so participants can return with questions, seek guidance, and feel supported as they begin applying what they have learned.
Our training is inclusive. Understanding the demands on therapists and professionals, we provide flexible payment plans and several delivery options to make our training accessible. Whilst our live, interactive online sessions are the most popular, we also offer in-person training and on-demand webinars.
All our courses are accredited and count towards Continuing Professional Development: CPD.
Our vision is to build an organisation that delivers high quality training to qualified child therapists. As we have evolved, we have focused our energies on advancing expertise in relational and developmental trauma. Our goal is to be a specialist training provider to help therapists address the complexities faced by young clients who have experienced profound trauma.
The Polyvagal Theory
Shortly after we met, we were introduced to the Polyvagal Theory and had many discussions about how Dr Stephen Porges’ concepts offered an additional lens to understand how our clients experience and respond to the world around them.
Motivated by a strong desire to deepen our understanding, we actively pursued early training with both Stephen Porges and Deb Dana. We were eager to immerse ourselves in the study of the Polyvagal Theory, the Vagus Nerve, and the Autonomic Nervous System.
As our knowledge grew, it became clear there was a noticeable gap in resources specifically designed to support child therapists in becoming Polyvagal-informed. Recognising this unmet need, we set out to change that.
“A Polyvagal Informed Approach to Therapeutic Work with Children and Young People” is our first book, which reflects not only our knowledge and experience, but also our dedication to supporting and equipping therapists.
We take the theory and explain it in a clear, accessible way, making it easy to understand and apply. We introduce assessment frameworks and practical tools helping therapists move beyond theory and to confidently integrate these concepts into their work with children in the playroom.
Trust, High Quality and Supportive
We are deeply committed to supporting the growth and development of child therapists. Our global experience across diverse sectors has given us valuable insight into what professionals need and how best to meet those needs effectively. Through PIP Solutions Training, we want to elevate the quality of training being delivered to all professionals who work with and care about the mental health of children and young people.
PIP Solutions Courses
All PIP Solutions Training courses provide therapists with the practical tools and insights needed to foster safe, trusting therapeutic environments, while also deepening their understanding of how interpersonal trauma can profoundly impact on a child’s overall development.
We are dedicated to ensuring every participant attending a PIP training gains a learning experience which is motivating, supportive and genuinely enriching. We aim to empower every clinician with knowledge and skills to meaningfully enhance their clinical work.
Just the Beginning
Like many, starting a new business just before the COVID-19 pandemic came with its share of unexpected challenges, but we are here six years later and going strong.
We are proud of how far we have come and excited about the future growth of PIP Solutions Training and Consultancy.
We value feedback and would love to hear from therapists. If you have attended one of our courses, read our book, or are simply curious to learn more, please feel free to contact us.
Karen & Tara
