About Me

My names is Lizzie Francolini, I love being creative, exploring wildlife, growing food, nurturing plants, building absolutely anything, going on long walks, bouldering, swimming especially in the sea, surfing, ariel silks, photography, art, and learning new things. I have an eclectic career working within the Therapeutic, Wildlife Conservation, Conservation Psychology, Marine Social Science, Sustainable Building and Regenerative Farming Sectors that has evolved to become EarthUncovered.

My social care work began in South Africa from 1997-2001, as a Youth Worker with young people from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds impacted by Apartheid. Returning to the UK in 2001, over the next 14 years I worked with families in substance misuse, vulnerable women in the sex industry, and co-founded a mentoring program for adults in substance misuse. In 2012 I completed an MSc in Social Work at Bristol University specialising in Children’s services and Protection. As a social worker I discovered a love for therapy, completing an MSc in Play Therapy in 2015, at the University of South Wales.

Since qualifying as a Play Therapist I have worked extensively with young people and families, parents, and carers from various social, cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. Young people and families are referred for a variety of reasons, for example a history of childhood traumatic experiences such as bereavement, separation from family, or social care concerns, alternatively young people may be experiencing anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, low self esteem, negative or suicidal thoughts,  or displaying concerning behaviours. 

I have over 10 years of experience of clinical practice and have regular supervision with a trained psychotherapist with the British Psychological Society (BPS). I am registered with the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT), DBS checked and fully insured to work in both inside and outside environments. In addition, I am a trained Therapeutic Life Story Worker (TLSW), an informed Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapist (DDP), and an Ecotherapist. I am also a visiting Lecturer at the University of South Wales for psychology undergraduates.

In 2016 I completed additional training in Outdoor Play Therapy, witnessing first hand the mental health benefits of nature. In 2017 I became a member of the Ecotherapy Network and collaborated with the Deer Wood Trust and the Apricot Centre in South Devon, providing nature based therapy for young people and adults with various needs. In 2021, with a team of multi-professional Social Forestry experts, psychotherapists, and eco therapists at the Apricot Centre, I will be delivering nature based therapeutic work for vulnerable individuals and social groups.

Conservation: I have a deep respect and passion for our planet, and so when not working as a therapist, I am exploring ways I can adapt my life to live sustainably, compassionately, and environmentally ethically. Because life style changes requires a shift in perspective, values, habits, and social structures I am always open to honest and sometimes difficult conversations on how to best adapt and have flexibility as we explore together and expand our knowledge on people and environmental systems. I am currently mentored by David Key on how to design and deliver transformative outdoor experiences that enhance our psychological health and well-being as well as encouraging us to live sustainably.

In 2015 I completed a Permaculture Design Certificate and alongside my therapeutic work I was employed as a sustainable builder and landscaper, and volunteered in small scale farming. Some of these projects included building an outdoor kitchen at St Werburgh’s City Farm, Bristol; a Strawbale Barn in collaboration with the Avon WildLife Trust’s Grow Wilder, Edible Futures, and RedKite Build; a new build house with RedKite Build: volunteering for Charles Dowding, Homeacres, Castle Cary; and becoming a trustee at Deer Wood Trust, Social Forestry Project, Loddiswell South Devon.

In 2019 I completed an MSc in Advanced Wildlife Conservation in Practice with the Bristol Zoological Society and the University of The West of England. During my studies I specialised in People and Conservation, specialising in conservation psychology. As part of my final research project I explored with a coastal community adjacent to a Marine Protected Area in South Africa, their experiences, attitudes and perceived problems/solutions to marine management. I am a member of the Marine Social Science Network and teach on Conservation Psychology around the UK.

Thank you for reading, if you would like to know more about my specific approaches and methodology as a therapist please got to my Therapy page. If you would like to know more about my research strategies then go to my Research page, and to my Education page if you are interest in my courses. If you are interested in any of the following subjects, please click on what interests you and you will be taken to relevant blog posts.