Play Therapy

As a parent or carer you have a key role.It would help me if you can pass on as much information as possible about your child’s past and present circumstances. We can do this in an initial meeting (without your child,) or over the phone. Play therapy is a special time for your child, and for the most part the specific content of the sessions will remain confidential. However, should the child speak of anything that may put themselves, or someone else in danger; confidentiality has to be broken because of safeguarding issues. In such circumstances both you and your child will be informed that this will happen.

In the sessions there will be a selection of play materials from which your child may choose. These may include art and craft materials; dressing up and props; sand, clay; small figures and animals; puppets, and other toys. I will enable your child to be able to use these resources to express themselves without necessarily needing to verbalise – if they are unable to, or do not wish to..

Please resist the urge to ask your child what they did during sessions, as this will put pressure on them to comment on something they may have difficulty themselves, which may be an important part of their own process. Please don’t ask your child to be “good” with me or ask whether they have behaved well. Therapy is not about being “good” or “bad” and your child must feel free to express any behaviour in an uncensored way.

  • Intervention may be between 8 weeks or up to – even possibly over – a year.
  • Sessions last between 30 and 50 minutes – depending on age and focus of the work.
  • Starting and finishing on time is vital
  • A contract will be drawn up and agreed with each parent/carer
  • A series of guidelines will be agreed between myself and the child (where appropriate.)
  • Please ensure that your child wears clothes that are easily washable/suitable for.

During any therapeutic intervention, behaviour may appear to get worse before it gets better – please tell me if you have any concerns. Please also feel free to ask me any questions throughout the process, whilst understanding that I will maintain confidentiality unless I have cause for concern. I know it can sometimes be really hard for you, as a parent, not to ask questions, but I HAVE to promise your child confidentiality in order for them to have trust in me. Without trust there is no therapeutic relationship.

I am a fully qualified Counsellor (Diploma, L4, AQA/NCFE) and Play Therapist (Cert / Dip PTUK), as well as a Certified SandStory® Therapist and Trainer. I also run training courses in Play Therapy, SandStory® Therapy, SandStory® Skills, and Counselling both in Europe  and the UK, privately and in educational institutions. I have a wealth of experience working in schools across Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, and have an established private practice. I am a member of BACP and adhere to their Ethical Framework.

If you would like to receive a free half hour consultation for therapy of any kind, or talk further about training, please call me on 07419 337363 or email me on cambridgecreativecounselling@gmail.com  Also do feel free to like and follow our Facebook page “Cambridge Creative Counselling” where you can also message us.