Hello, my name is Lisa and I’m a Certified Play Therapist who trained with PTUK and Leeds Beckett University. I studied for four and a half years, completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills followed by a Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy.
My journey into Play Therapy began with previous work for many years supporting pupils in Primary Schools with Special Educational Needs and later on in a Special School.
Originally I trained as a nursery teacher and spent a few years teaching the Early Years but my interest in SEN grew when I became a SENDCo in a local nursery school. This transitioned into working with neurodivergent children and managing interventions to support literacy, social skills and ELSA training to teach emotional literacy.
As a PTUK Play Therapist, I use an integrative holistic model of therapy that allows my clients freedom to express their difficulties using metaphor. My extensive therapeutic toolkit comprises many mediums that the client is free to explore and use for self-expression and healing from trauma.
I use a metaphorical approach to difficulties which is gentle, as a child does not need to face their problems directly. This can seem scary to a child, especially if feelings are deeply buried. I therefore use a mainly non-directive approach where the child leads, but there are sometimes more directive activities if I feel the client may benefit.
Play Therapy is, simply put, play with a therapeutic objective. Over a period of time, I build a therapeutic relationship with my clients that enables them to express their difficulties without shame, embarrassment or judgment. Each client is treated fairly and encouraged to be their most authentic self. As a therapist I abide by the Ethical Principles of Fidelity, Autonomy, Justice, Non- Maleficence, Beneficence and Self Care, according to the Ethical Framework of PTUK.
A Play Therapy UK accredited practitioner