HOW I CAN
HELP YOU
Play Therapy
I offer play therapy sessions on a one to one basis for children aged 3 - 18 years and above depending on ability and needs. These sessions offer multiple opportunities for individuals to engage in their chosen form of expression using a range of tools from art, sand play therapy, music, role play, games, messy play, small world play, constructive play and a range of other creative activities.
These sessions can be accessed in school via referral from members of staff, through social care via social workers or foster carers or privately through self referral.
Counselling for
Young People
Young people may choose to access therapy sessions differently, engaging in talking therapies rather than play. These are one to one sessions and provide a safe, confidential and connected environment in which to explore, regulate and reflect on their emotions and experiences.
As with Play Therapy, the process is led by the young person and follows their needs, wishes and interests. They may choose to access counselling using the talking therapy approach or choose to engage in a combination of talking and creative processing through art, music or sculpture.
Life Story Work
Traditionally, Life Story Work has been used as a method of recording a child’s transition into the care system. The process is designed to help them make sense of the moves and changes which have occurred in their lives, as well as recording the people and places which they have encountered, loved and lost along the way. Typically, the culmination of this process takes the form of a life story book which the child can add to and revisit as they grow.
Since 2004, I have worked with a huge number of fostered and adopted children supporting them therapeutically, ensuring creativity and most importantly creating a personalised representation of their lives that is relevant to them alone. Each of these representations is as unique as the child who journeyed to make them.
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Play Therapy
I believe Life Story Work is valuable not just for those in care, but also with those who have experienced a variety of transitions in their lives. Life Story Work sessions work in the same way as therapy sessions, 1:1 and from a child led perspective on a weekly basis.
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Supporting you
When children and young people need help with their mental health there are lots of questions and concerns that arise for those around them. It can be a worrying and exhausting time for the wider family and for those working with individuals too. Therefore, I offer parent/carers and professional consultations to address questions or concerns as well as providing practical ideas to support their children and young people.
In addition to consultations which may provide ‘one off’ information and support, I also offer confidential therapeutic sessions for parents/carers and professionals caring for children and young people with emotional and mental health needs. Caring for individuals with mental and emotional health needs is exhausting and complex. As adults we also need support in our own processing of experiences, thoughts and feelings. These 1:1 sessions are aimed at helping adults explore, examine and process their own journeys.
Training
As a Play Therapist, I am invested in providing accessible and practice based support and ideas for parents/carers and professionals in supporting children with emotional and mental health needs. One of the ways I do this is by offering training on the following topics:
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- Emotional regulation in the classroom
- Life Story Work - a creative process
- Identifying and supporting sensory children
- Exploring and understanding anxiety
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These short courses can be offered as online training or in person for larger groups. Please do get in touch for more details and watch this space for additional training opportunities.