A child may not have the words to describe how they are feeling, or why they are behaving as they do. A child may not be able to recognise what they find difficult, or explain it to someone if asked. Play therapy enables children to express themselves in their own way using play and art materials, without any pressure to put their feelings and experiences into words. At some point most children face challenges or difficulties which they will need to work through in order to feel happy, confident and thrive at school. Often these issues can be solved at home, but sometimes help from outside our families, from a trained therapist, is what is needed to make sense of difficult feelings or things that have happened that are holding a child and their family back. Play therapy can be helpful to children experiencing issues relating to:
• anxiety associated with life events, social media or COVID-19
• anxiety associated with ADHD or ASD
• bereavement
• bonding and attachment issues
• changes such as moving house, moving school, adoption, fostering
• communication difficulties
• difficulties in managing anger
• experiencing or witnessing abuse, including domestic violence
• family conflict, separation, divorce or illness
• friendship or relationship issues, including bullying or being bullied
• low confidence or self-esteem
• school refusal. Like any therapy or counselling intervention, play therapy is not a 'fix', however PTUK's clinical evidence base shows that up to 84% of children show a positive change through the use of play therapy when delivered to PTUK standards. The more severe the problem, the higher the percentage of children that show a positive change. This is similar to the change seen in adults receiving talking therapies. Helping Parents: I am also trained to work with parents using Parent-Child Attachment Play. PCAP focusses on strengthening the attachment bond between parent and child and can make a real difference to the parent-child relationship. About Me:
After graduating, I worked in book publishing and marketing. However, I had always wanted to work with children so, after having my own family, I re-trained as a Montessori teacher. I quickly became fascinated by the power of play to help children manage big feelings and this led me to play therapy. My training, from the Academy of Play & Child Psychotherapy and Leeds Beckett University, involved rigorous academic and clinical assessment. I adhere to PTUK’s ethical standards and have regular clinical supervision. I have a current enhanced DBS and am fully insured to practice as a play therapist. Find me on the PSA accredited register: www.playtherapyregister.org.uk
I provide play therapy sessions at Cranbrook, Sissinghurst and Tenterden primary schools and in my private practice near Biddenden. Please contact me for costs and further information.
