About us
Our Mission, Vision & Values
Vision Statement
A world where every child—regardless of their learning style, sensory needs, or neurodivergence—has the tools, support, and confidence to understand their emotions, regulate their nervous system, and thrive.
Mission
To make emotional regulation easy, fun, and accessible for all children, by helping them understand their brains and bodies in a way that makes sense.
Core Values
Inclusive & Accessible – Rooted in neuroscience and psychology, our tools are designed for all learning styles, with a SEN-friendly approach that supports interoception, sensory integration, and self-regulation.
Connection & Co-Regulation
We believe emotional regulation starts with relationships. By helping children and adults navigate emotions together, we build stronger, more attuned connections.
Playful & Engaging
Learning is most effective when it's fun! Our approach incorporates storytelling, movement, and sensory-friendly activities to make complex concepts easy to grasp.
Empowering & Practical
The Brain Friends model is simple, yet powerful. We provide children with science-backed, real-world strategies they can use anytime, anywhere—helping them gain self-awareness, confidence, and independence in managing their emotions.
By integrating neuroscience with play-based learning, The Brain Friends is revolutionising the way children and adults understand emotional regulation—making the science of the brain both practical and transformative. The Brain Friends create a safe and inclusive way for all children to learn about their brains and emotions, in a way that makes sense to them.
Our Founder
Hi, I’m Emily Harbrecht– founder of The Brain Friends® and the creator of Mind Tools for Kids®. I’m an award-winning coach, trainer, and passionate advocate for children’s emotional wellbeing and neurodiversity inclusion.
With a background in coaching and psychology, and over a decade of experience supporting families, schools, and professionals, I created The Brain Friends® to make brain science simple, playful, and
accessible for all.
Through characters like Lenny Lizard, Mylo Monkey, Orla Owl, and Brilliant Brain, I help children (and the adults around them!) understand what’s really going on inside their brains and bodies when emotions run high.
As a parent of two daughters and a lifelong learner, I know how important it is to feel empowered with tools that actually work—both at school and at home. I live in South London with my family and two rescue greyhounds, and I spend my days researching what makes us tick, writing stories, and delivering training to schools and professionals across the UK.
The Brain Friends® is more than a set of characters—it’s a movement to change how we talk about emotions, behaviour, and learning. Whether you're a teacher, a parent, or a child, you deserve simple tools that make a big difference.
Let’s build emotionally literate, connected communities—one Brain Friend at a time.
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