Child Centred Play Therapy

I believe children of all ageas are creative and that creative play is essential to our well being.  In my therapy room I have a range of musical instruments, including drums, soft toys, sensory toys, miniature toy figures, hand and finger puppets or all different sizes, and a range of art materials, games and puzzles and a treasure chest of picture cards.

Always with a therapeutic intention in mind, activities in therapy sessions can include talking, story-telling, painting and drawing, child-centred metaphors, and role play, music making, games using all the resources I have in my therapy room.

I adopt a child-centred, playful approach in my therapy sessions with young people, wherever possible encouraging the young client to lead and to choose what activity they want to do and how. I join them in the activity, which helps to give me insight into why they have this particular interest. It also builds trust between us. 'Play therapy is based upon the fact the play is the natural medium for self-expression. It is an opportunity which is given to the child to "play out" his or her feelings and problems. (Axline 1947)

 When I join a child in an activity they have chosen, they understand that what they are doing is valid, that I care enough to get to know them and I  can have fun with what they enjoy. It builds a relationship based on shared enjoyment and respect.

I am also trained in EMDR Therapy with Children and Adolescents. EMDR therapy has been used with children and adolescents with a wide variety of emotional and psychological problems including Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD), anxiety, phobias, depression, attachment disorders etc