Dr. Sam Ballington

Childhood & Family Wellbeing Researcher/Advocate

Dr. Sam Ballington is an educator, coach, and founder of The Association of Child and Family Coaches, with a mission to ensure that all children and families are seen, heard, and supported. Inspired by both professional expertise and lived experience, Sam has spent years researching and developing accredited programmes that blend therapeutic play, family coaching, and child development theory into practical tools for practitioners and families.  At the heart of Sam's research and work is the belief that play is more than fun, but is a way to connect, communicate, and heal. Through her training organisation, Sam has supported countless professionals and parents to step into Child and Family Coaching with confidence, building practices that are rooted in empathy, resilience, and family wellbeing. As someone who experienced trauma in childhood herself, Sam's story is one of changing challenge into purpose, and helping others to do the same.  Sam holds a PhD in Education and is currently taking her second doctoral programme, the Professional Doctorate in Education. Sam is a qualified primary and early childhood teacher, who also holds masters degrees in Educational Technology, Montessori Education, and Early Years. Sam studied a postgraduate diploma in Educational Assessment at the University of Cambridge and is working towards her MSc in the Pschology of Mental Health. Sam is a textbook author, academic writer in the field of Early Childhood and Family Wellbeing, keynote speaker, and multiple award winner, nominee, and finalist in the field of education and innovation.