Bernella Caines-Hall
Mrs. Bernella Caines-Hall has spent her life using her personal and career experiences to help her students and clients overcome challenges and provide them with the support they need to activate change in any facet of their lives they desire. She is a firm believer in meeting students/clients where they are, respecting without judgement their right to self-determination and privacy and doing what ever is necessary to preserve their dignity.
As the mother of two neuro-diverse children, she knows first-hand how any deviation from what is considered ‘normal’ can affect every facet of a child’s life as well as the lives of their loved ones. While her focus is on improving students’ understanding of self and academic standing, she also provides adults and families with the knowledge and skills needed to support their child(ren) and also enact the changes they desire to see in their own lives.
She knows there is no single approach that works for everyone, so she continues to educate herself on emerging education methods, therapies and psychological trends to provide the most comprehensive program that works for each of her students’/clients’ individual needs. She has over twenty-five (25) years’ experience teaching and coaching students in general education, learning support and special education. She is adept at assessing students’ strength and weaknesses, creating individualized learning or recovery plans and understanding and connecting with parents and students on a personal level.
She is versed in many learning theories of education; how these theories influence learning; how they can be used to understand students’ learning needs, feelings and behaviours as well as how they can be used to help students reach their full potential. This platform sets the stage for strategic, purposeful, goal-oriented intervention in the ‘post-pandemic’ environment where learning loss is evident across all sectors of the education system.
Her Qualifications include:
MSc., B.Ed., Cert.Ed., Cert.Sp.Ed., Dip.SEN
She received her education at the University of the West Indies with a Master’s in Counselling Psychology
and a Bachelor of Education in Special Education. She also holds a Certificate in Secondary Education
from Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (St. Kitts/Nevis) & the University of the West Indies (Concentration - CSEC Principles of Business & Social Studies); a Certificate in Special Education
from Erdiston Teachers’ College (Barbados); and a Level 1 Coaching Certificate
from the International Amateur Athletic Federation. Through further professional development she has attained a Diploma in Special Needs Education and Dyslexia Therapy
and secured a Certificate in Massage Therapy
from the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology, Barbados as well as a NVQ Level 2 Certificate in Massage Therapy
from The Barbados Technical and Vocational Education and training (TVET) council.
Bernella has over 12 years’ experience working as a mental health professional. In addition to private practice, she has worked as a therapist/counsellor with an outpatient substance abuse facility that provides crisis intervention, community-based prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services to persons experiencing substance abuse and related problems. She served as Group Coordinator and was charged with the responsibilities to assist in the training and development of volunteers/staff; coordinate and facilitate therapy groups as well as the assessment, formulation of and implementation of therapeutic interventions/programmes for clients and their families.
During this time, Bernella had the opportunity to work with at-risk juveniles and was a member of the Magistrates’ panel for the Juvenile Court.
She also had the privilege of co-authoring a proposal for a grant from the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) administered through the Justice Improvement Program Secretariat Barbados, which was accepted. As the project leader she spearheaded a very talented and motivated team, set objectives and ensured that the project not only met but exceeded its objectives due to the dedication of the project team.
Bernella is currently in private practice in Rendezvous, Christ Church, Barbados, where she continues her work through the lenses of academia, mental health, equity, inclusion and resilience through her business Elite Academic Support Services.
