Hannah Soning
BA (Hons), CPE, Solicitor (non-practising), LPC
Practice Manager
I qualified as a solicitor from Herbert Smith Freehills in 1998 and practised law before taking a professional break to focus on my daughters.. During this time I changed fields and worked at a private addiction treatment centre in London from 2007 to 2013, where I developed my knowledge, experience and skills in the provision and management of a private mental health service and took on the role of clinical manager. In support of this change of direction in my career, I have pursued additional studies in addiction psychology at South Bank University, psychotherapy at the Tavistock Centre, and systemic family therapy at the Institute of Family Therapy.
In 2014, I co-founded the Bear Project, a multidisciplinary DBT programme designed to support young people at a time when there were few alternative DBT services in private mental health care. We recognised the need for a flexible, specialised service tailored to each young person’s needs. To achieve this, I helped bring together a team of skilled professionals committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care, combining DBT principles with other therapeutic approaches to offer a personalised experience for every client.
The Bear Project has since grown through the collaborative efforts of our team and the feedback from the young people and families we serve, becoming a widely respected service known for its dedication to the highest standards of clinical care. I continue to work closely with our team to refine our services and remain responsive to the needs of the young people we support.
My legal background gives me a thorough understanding of the legal framework governing mental health services in the UK, particularly those regulations and policies that affect care for children and adolescents. This knowledge ensures that our clinic operates in full compliance with all relevant legislation, safeguarding our patients’ rights and maintaining the highest standards of care.
My combined experience in law, as well as clinical and business management, has provided a strong foundation for my role as Practice Manager at 35 Great James Street. I am committed to fostering and developing a positive, welcoming culture of open communication and patient-centred care. I greatly value the relationships I have developed with both clinicians and families, and I strive to maintain the highest standards of service and care.