Knowledge Tree is the Trading name used by Dr Mary Curtis PhD, MSc, BSc (Joint Honours) Cert Ed, ILT(M) FHEA.  I trained and worked as a registered nurse for many years. Following a change of direction during which I undertook undergraduate and postgraduate study, my career has involved working at operational and strategic level in the fields of higher education and health care.

I take an ethical approach to every dimension of all of my endeavours Therapy, Research, Education/training & Evaluation. . .TREE explained. . .Get it?  I believe in enabling and encouraging people to make ‘right’ and ‘good’ decisions, and to do right and good things. My guiding philosophy is about humanness and morality; care and compassion; being good and fair. Profit is OK, but not greed; reward is fine, but not avarice; trade is obviously essential, but exploitation is not. In my view, having a sound philosophy and ethical position determines and protects the spirit and integrity of my business- aptly named (in my opinion!)- Knowledge Tree - The tree of good & evil!

I consider that I have professional credibility and excellent analytical skills. I possess fabulous presentation, verbal and communication skills too!  An experienced and stimulating conference presenter of many years standing (not shy then!). Regularly called upon to act as an independent advocate in health & social care, to ‘troubleshoot’ difficult employee & student problems, and to offer counselling and guidance. I am passionate about quality of teaching and learning, as this can and does affect standards of practice. With this in mind, I design and deliver a wide range of bespoke courses, workshops and seminars for the Medical, Health, Social Care, Voluntary and Private sectors.

I am module Lead for ‘Specialist Approaches to Palliative Care and Care of the Dying’ for the Faculty of Health, Education & Society, University of Plymouth. I regularly undertake guest lectures on various University modules and programmes.

I have particular expertise & interest in the following: Legal and Ethical Matters in Health & Social Care; Dying, Death,  Bereavement; Palliative Care, Organisational Change, Team Building, Medical Sociology, Health & Clinical  Psychology, Evidence Based Practice, Learning Disabilities, Dementia.

Testimonials: ‘A VERY BIG THANK YOU! For the training on Friday. The feedback forms are all very positive and you failed to score below a 5 for anything! I am very grateful to you for offering the training at such a reasonable cost. Will be back again for more!’ (Service Manager, Private sector – Team Building Course)

‘At last a thought provoking & stimulating facilitator. Could not get enough of this course – did not want it to end. Make it longer’ (Bereavement & Loss Course).

‘The best presented course I have attended in 7 years’ (R H, General Assistant – Managing Personal Safety for Lone Workers Training).

‘Thank you so much for coming to talk to us all on Wednesday on ‘Breaking Bad News’. The whole department are unanimous in their praise for the most entertaining, informative and fun session it was. Come back and see us again soon’. (Departmental Manager, NHS Acute Trust).

• ‘Dr Mary Curtis knows her subject 100%. Enlightening. A great sense of humour – so important and uplifting. Honestly one of the very best training days I have done (and I’ve done lots!)’. Registered Nurse – Parkinson’s Disease Explained Training.

• ‘Fun, informative and knowledgeable facilitator – all comfortable and involved. Thank You’! (Occupational Therapist – Improving Communication Skills Training)

· ‘Subject was delivered in a fun and stimulating manner. Excellent. Don’t change a thing. Could not be improved upon’. (Manager, Statutory Sector – Getting to Grips with Dementias: Person Centred Care Training)

· ‘The trainer was excellent. Hilarious and very knowledgeable. Information clearly related to work area/client groups. ‘Go for it Doc!’ (Care Services Manager – Managing Challenging Behaviours Training)

· ‘Very interesting and great opportunity to discuss the un-discussable! Thank you’. (Social Worker – Death & Dying Course)

· I’ felt I must put pen to paper to thank you for such a wonderful course. In my 26 years in the caring profession and having attended many courses over the years I found yours the most enjoyable and enlightening. You appear to have a most fantastic way of teaching, just being yourself and having fun. With some courses, it goes in one ear and out of the other. Not with your style. It makes you think which not many people are able to make me do! What a credit you are to the teaching profession. I hope one day to have the privilege of attending one of your courses again in the future’. (SL, Senior Nurse, NHS – Specialist Palliative Care Course)

‘I have been training GP for many years and I must say this has been one of the best programmes I’ve attended. You could charge three times the amount and the programme would still be great value for money! Many thanks. I will certainly be recommending you.’ (Dr DJ, Palliative Care Course).

I have well established relationships at operational and strategic level with numerous health and social service organisations, colleges, universities, private, voluntary and statutory  agencies.  I am always pleased to travel to any location. Dr. Mary Curtis PhD MSc BSc (Joint Hons) Cert Ed (M)ILT FHEA- Proprietor

I offer holistic psychosocial therapy & support to help people to deal with circumstances, past or present which are affecting them emotionally or keeping them stuck in unhelpful thinking or behaviour patterns.
What is holistic psychosocial support? Definitely not counselling! The word ‘holistic’ means to make ‘whole’ as in mind, body and spirit; ‘psychosocial’ comes from the work of renowned psychologist Eric Erikson, effectively from the words psychological (mind) and social (relationships). Erikson’s model of psychosocial development underpins my own therapeutic  work and is a very significant, highly regarded and meaningful concept. Life is a series of lessons and challenges which help us to grow. Erikson’s wonderful theory helps to tell us why. The theory is helpful for child development, and adults too. Psychosocial support is a deep process which happens over a period of time addressing patterns developed in the past, often set early in life.
How psychosocial support can help change your life. Long standing issues and behaviour patterns can affect your future well being. Life events such as bereavements, loss, illness, divorce or redundancy can stop you living in the present and returning to a place of balance. Perhaps you are trying to come to terms with a loved one’s dementia, chronic or life threatening illness? Or maybe you have a fear of dentists? If you find yourself stuck with a situation which goes round and round in your mind, stopping you from expressing your own true nature or impinging on your life or relationships, it can be worthwhile making some time for psychosocial support to put your heartache into a new perspective. My holistic approach will provide you with a space where you can explore your alternatives in confidence.

I receive referrals from statutory, voluntary & private agencies as well as accepting self-referrals.

One-to-one or group psychosocial support available to individuals with a learning disability, particularly those trying to come to terms with bereavement and/or other losses, or who may be anxious or depressed.

Testimonials: (1) ‘We are all amazed about what you have achieved with X. Unbelievable! Before you came, she would freeze when out and demand to go home. She was withdrawn, anxious & not sleeping well. Within a few weeks, you found out important stuff that none of us were aware of. You’ve given us tips about how to manage situations. X is now a changed person, more outgoing, happy and sleeping like a lamb. Thank you’. (Staff at supported living Learning Disability home).

(2) ‘Mary, you are magic! Wish we had got hold of you sooner. We had no idea it was the death of his mother and other losses that were affecting X. He got so withdrawn & grumpy, lost weight and stopped taking an interest in anything. You immediately spotted his problems and not only taught him how to cope, but brought joy to all our residents. Your cheerful approach to life is infectious! We especially appreciate the way you came alongside him in his world and gave your time so freely. None of those 50 minute ‘counselling sessions’ once a week. You really do consider the person as a ‘whole’ in their social setting. A huge thank you from us all’. (Manager, Learning Disability Home).

(3)’ Thank you Mary for helping my family to cope with mum’s dementia. We were beside ourselves with worry and then you bounced into our world. We appreciate the very clear explanations about mum’s particular dementia, talking us through each stage, giving us practical suggestions about how to respond to her. They work! You have greatly helped us to put everything into perspective. We now realise we are all grieving in different ways and thanks to you, we don’t feel guilty anymore. It is so reassuring to know you are there for us along the journey, as, so often, relatives are not given a second thought’ (Daughter of resident in a care home).

Consultancy by Knowledge Tree: Cost- effective Research, Evaluations or Audit can be undertaken to suit specific requirements – Large or small scale.

Testimonials: (1) Many thanks for the research you carried out for our GP practice. Excellent work. We are re-designing clinics & services for that patient population based on your results. We’ve heard great things about you from participants too. Perhaps you should consider offering sex education training!

(2) Ta very much for doing the evaluation of our service. What a little gem you are! So nice to get an honest opinion about how we do things. You are not afraid to tell us what we sometimes don’t want to hear , but we now understand where we were going wrong. We get more compliments from residents too. (Care Home Owner).