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Children's issues

What help is available?

I offer the following help for children:

(1) Integrative treatment of specific phobias (fear of the dark, fear of dogs and other animals etc) with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Neurolinguistic Psychotherapy and Emotional Freedom Techniques. Therapy for uncomplicated phobias usually takes no more than 2-3 sessions - though occasionally if the fear issues are more complex and extensive they may require longer treatment.

Masha with Mr Buttons, the magical tapping bear created by Linda Wood

(2) Treatment of trauma with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing), EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), and Therapeutic Play from a few sessions for a single incident or shock, to long term treatment for complex cases.

(3) Treatment of emotional and behavioural difficulties through Therapeutic Play. Depending on the individual child and the level of complexity, treatment typically lasts 6 to 12 sessions for mild problems, but can be significantly longer for more challenging problems and issues. This type of therapy allows a child to express and process their feelings and experiences in symbolic form through play, in a safe, gentle and non-intrusive way. Therapeutic play may take various forms, including art & craft, storytelling, music, movement, puppets and sandplay therapy.

Therapeutic Play can help children with a wide range of emotional and behavioural difficulties, including:

When enquiring about therapy for your child, it would be useful if you download and complete the Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire which will help decide what type of approach and what length of treatment would be most appropriate.

A written consent will be required from the parent or guardian before the treatment can commence.  

I currently offer HALF-PRICE treatment for children (£30 per session instead of the normal £60), further discounts available to families on low income.

My experience with children and young people stems from working as a therapist in a residential children's home, my work with drug-dependent young offenders in a prison setting, treating children in my private psychotherapy practice, and voluntary work as a play therapist in a primary school.

I have completed postgraduate-level modules in Therapeutic Play with the Canterbury Christ Church University / The Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy (2010-2011) as well as the Professional Development Award in Creative Therapy with Stockport College of Higher & Further Education (2005-2006), and am undertaking further training in Sandplay Therapy with Temenos Learning Centre and, from 2012, with the Association for Integrative Sandplay Therapists.

I undertake regular clinical supervision with a highly experienced Play Therapy Supervisor as well as an Educational Psychologist, hold a CRB certificate and am fully insured to practise.

Sources of information & support

Parentlineplus Tel: 0808 800 2222

Gingerbread Tel: 0808 802 0925. Support, information and advice for single parents.

Play Therapy International Tel: 01825 761 143

Action for Children

Action for Kids supports children and young people with physical and learning disabilities and their families.

Barnardo's

Beat Bullying offers support and information for young people, parents and professionals.

Rainbow Trust provides emotional and practical support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness.

Elisabeth Svendsen Trust supports children with disabilities and special needs through donkey-assisted therapeutic activities.

Stop It Now works to prevent child sexual abuse by encouraging awareness and early recognition of the problem. Tel: 0808 1000 900

How Children Cope with Trauma & Ongoing Threat - a very useful article describing different coping styles and strategies in children who suffered trauma.

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