Marilyn Tew

Marilyn writes: I was born in Runcorn, Cheshire as the second of five children to Scottish parents who had moved south for work after child number one.  As a displaced family, we moved every seven years throughout my childhood, though I managed all my secondary schooling in one place.  As I went to university, the family returned to Scotland. 

I graduated in geology and worked with the East African Geological Research Unit followed by a post-graduate certificate in education.  I then worked as a teacher of geology and geography in schools and colleges for many years in different parts of the country as my husband and I moved around for his career in the RAF.  

I have always loved the pastoral side of education, particularly the opportunities to see young people develop and flourish in whatever ways work for them.  As a result of this interest, I completed a Masters in Guidance and Counselling in Education in 1998 followed by a PhD in 2002 that bridged the worlds of counselling and education.  These were followed by a few years in post-doctoral research into ‘Learning to Learn’.  

As I progressed from teacher into school management and then onto national programmes that trained educators in social and emotional aspects of learning, it was a great privilege to be part of many groups and movements that promoted and supported these aspects of the lifelong learning journey.  This interest eventually took me into clinical work as a therapist and supervisor and to qualify as an EMDR consultant.  

I live and work in Wroughton, just south of Swindon and love the rolling chalk landscape that surrounds me.  I’m a keen gardener, cyclist and walker and I love the outdoors. With children and grandchildren there’s always someone who wants to join me on an adventure.   

As part of the emdrgateway team, I have enjoyed writing and editing scripts for the videos.  The constant need to learn and research is satisfying and it is a pleasure to hear how the videos are helping clinicians in their work all over the world.