Sand Study Circle: May 2026

Shazia Sarwar-Azim is a former Headteacher, ASC & SEND Consultant, Emotional Therapist Coach, and safeguarding specialist with extensive experience supporting children and young people with complex emotional, behavioural, and neurodivergent needs. She is the founder of The Emotional Therapist Coach and co-leads Tameside Connect 3, a trauma-informed, home-first alternative provision.



Shazia specialises in emotional attunement, sand and play approaches, nervous system regulation, trauma-informed practice, and therapeutic education. She delivers accredited training nationally to schools, therapists, safeguarding teams, and professionals working within SEND, SEMH, and alternative provision settings. Her work integrates neuroscience, safeguarding, and relational practice to support emotional safety, regulation, and meaningful engagement for children and families.

Nathalie is a certified sand therapist and art therapist, a trained eco-art therapist,
and a play therapist practitioner.
She holds an extensive academic background in international development,
theology, administration, education, and the medical field. Throughout her
career, she has worked as a gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) expert in
various countries across the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Nathalie is also the author
of two books: Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and TVET Sector
Mentorship Program for Soft Skills.
Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Nathalie offers both virtual and in-person
sessions in private practice with youth and adults. She follows a person-centered
approach, creating an inclusive and supportive environment where participants
feel safe, heard, and valued.
Her primary focus is working with neurodivergent individuals as well as people
with both visible and invisible disabilities. Drawing from her international
experience, she brings a deep understanding of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and
Accessibility (IDEA) and is highly attuned to the needs of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous,
and People of Color) communities.
Nathalie has presented at multiple conferences for the Canadian Art Therapy
Association (CATA), the Canadian Association for Sandplay Therapy (CAST) and the
World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals (WASTP), sharing insights on the
role of sand therapy in supporting individuals with visible/invisible disabilities and
GESI.