Technical Speak
Below is the more in-depth explanations of each of our services. Just click on each one to find out more.
Play Therapy
I can provide short or long term programmes of Play Therapy for children and young people. Caregivers are also a part of the process through support and reviews. I use an child-led, flexible and personally tailored approach which recognises the individual needs of the child and those involved in their care. Play Therapy is a proven and effective modality which can support clients of all ages. It is also appropriate for a wide range of presenting concerns, challenges or adversities. For example, I have experience of working with abuse, trauma, family breakdowns, domestic abuse, and relationship difficulties. The effectiveness of Play Therapy is a result of the use of play, playfulness and a non-judgemental, accepting relationship with the Play Therapist. The sessions provide safety, containment, emotional regulation and support of the child's self-expression. In using the language of play, children and young people can communicate or express their feelings more naturally than with words. Generally for children this is a natural development but when they have become overwhelmed by feelings or experiences they need the support, skills, empathy and knowledge of a Play Therapist to help them untangle their emotions. The in-depth therapeutic relationship that children or young people develop with me promotes positive change in the child by supporting them to help themselves whilst expanding their emotional capacity and resilience. During this process, if appropraite, I will also work with any relevant professionals who are a part of the child's life so that we can all support the children, young people or families in the best way
Family (Filial) Therapy
Filial Therapy is a unique parent-child approach, based around play. It is used to support and heal family difficulties. It was initially developed in the 1960s and has since been extensively researched. It has been demonstrated to help a wide range of families, including single parent families, foster or adoptive families and blended families. It is only employed by professionals who are trained Play Therapists. Play and playfulness are used in Filial Therapy in a similar way to in Play Therapy, but the parent is the play partner instead of a therapist. The therapist will teach the parents or carers the value of an uninterrrupted focus on the child for the whole session; how to let the child lead the play; how to put the child's actions, thoughts and feelings into words without praising, teaching or questioning and finally they will teach a simple limit-setting process. The parents will initially use the skills within sessions but will also find them useful in wider aspects of their lives. Filial Therapy has been shown to be beneficial for everyone within the family. Following their training the parents or carers will hold weekly play sessions with each child in the family using the taught skills. The therapist will continue to provide adult support throughout the programme but will ultimately up-skill the parents sufficiently that they will no longer need the therapist's support.
Animal Assisted Play Therapy™
My Animal Assisted Play Therapyâ„¢ (AAPT) sessions are valuable in helping children, adolescents, adults or families. It is a model of therapy in which I include either Annie, my dog or Flossie & Bertie, my rabbits within the context of Play Therapy or Therapeutic Play. Play and playfulness are essential elements of the programme, as is maintaining the wellbeing of both animals and clients at all times; as such everyone has choice about their participation. The inclusion of animals and playfulness in the sessions means that children or young people often feel more relaxed and receptive to the therapeutic process. AAPT can be helpful for a variety of presenting concerns such as anxiety, abuse, trauma, family difficulties, behavioural concerns or emotional difficulties. I have completed extensive training and have received many hours of supervision in order to provide this service. It is not just a case of me bringing my cute dog into sessions!