Play therapy is a process of playfully engaging children or young people in a journey of self reflection and empowerment. These sessions offer children and young people a safe space to play and connect with me and enable them to address and explore difficult thoughts or feelings. Where as adults typically prefer to use talking therapies, children prefer to use play, their natural form of communication, to present the issues and needs which are concerning them. Using play based tools and techniques, children are enabled to nurture self growth and engage in self reflection. My sessions are usually non directive and are always child centred with the client exploring the issues most relevant to them. Children are in control of their process but may be encouraged to reflect on things which would allow them to progress emotionally or cognitively. Through this process of reflecting and mirroring, they learn to trust themselves and their therapist. Gradually beginning to understand their emotions, they develop greater self awareness, coping strategies and independent thinking with gentle guidance and reflect insight.

Sessions are usually 40 minutes long depending on the age of the child and their capacity to engage. Therapy sessions are generally 1:1 and are held once a week. For the children I see in school, these sessions are term time only, for private clients our sessions can continue during school holidays with mutual consent. Each child’s journey through therapy is different and explores different needs and experiences. The ending of therapy occurs when the child displays empowerment, attunement, self healing, confidence and self love. When I am satisfied that individuals can reflect, regulate and manage emotions, thoughts and behaviours in an age appropriate way, it is time to celebrate the ending of therapy.

Play therapists are trained to work with children and young people aged between 3 - 18 years, although this is dependent on individual needs and capacity to engage. I use a range of psychotherapeutic approaches when working with young people. Sessions with older ‘children’ commonly navigate towards more talking based therapies but we also make use of art, music and walking therapy depending on the needs and wishes of the individual. These 1:1 sessions work in the same way being self directive and with their therapeutic process being reflective, developing self care and informing self growth.

I am an Accredited Play Therapist registered with Play Therapy UK as such my work is governed by their best practice guidelines and ethical framework. Being listed on the Register for Play and Creative Arts Therapists requires that I receive regular clinical supervision to ensure I am working ethically and providing the best possible care for my clients. This register is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, which is overseen by the Department of Health and administered by an independent body accountable to Parliament. In addition to supervision, I am required to gain at least 30 hours of Continuous Professional Development per year to maintain my qualification and continue to provide safe, effective and best practice for all clients. I regularly under go enhanced DBS checks to ensure the safety of all of my children.

Therapy affects individuals differently. There is no fixed time frame or checklist for noticeable behaviours in clients receiving therapy. However, it is common for some children (particularly abused children) to show an increase in emotional dysregulation whilst they learn to allow themselves to trust a new adult. As a consequence you may notice more emotional outbursts as they give themselves permission to explore and regulate feelings. You may notice an increase in fatigue or hyperactivity. Children and young people have to work very hard in therapy sessions and this can be emotionally draining, some children are exhausted after therapy whilst others respond with a change in energy that leaves them hyper aroused. In both scenarios, these responses do not last usually last for more than 3-4 weeks, but they do mark an important period of transition from holding everything on their own to sharing it with someone who can hold it for them. Over time you will notice an increase in your child’s self esteem, empowerment and their capacity to self regulate and reflect using greater skills in emotional literacy.