Schools

Good communication between all of the adults involved in the child’s life is essential to achieve the best results. As a teacher or SENCO if you are unsure about anything, have concerns or questions, or would like more information, please do not hesitate to ask. When a child first comes to play therapy you will be asked to fill in a questionnaire highlighting the strengths of the child and the difficulties you feel the child encounters. This helps to gather appropriate information.

Although it is intended that the sessions will be enjoyable for the child, it is likely they will face some important issues and emotions during the sessions, even if they are not entirely aware of it. This may be quite unsettling for the child, and it may take a while for the child to adjust back into the classroom setting. You can help by welcoming the child back into the room and by letting them know you are there without asking too many questions. Children need to feel secure in the knowledge that their ‘space’ is there for them each week and is not contingent on behaviour. It is important that a play therapy session is not interrupted. Only a consistent, ‘secure’ space enables children to feel safe enough to express themselves.

Please resist the urge to ask your pupil (once they are back in the classroom) what they did, as this can put pressure on them to comment on something they may have difficulty understanding themselves, which may be an important part of their own process. Please don’t ask your pupil to be ‘good’ with me, or check they have been. Therapy is not about being ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and your pupil must feel free to express any feelings in an uncensored way.

Therapeutic intervention may be between 8 weeks or up to a year, or on a previously agreed contract basis.

  • Sessions last between 30 and 45 minutes
  • Starting and finishing on time is vital
  • A contract will be drawn up and agreed with each school.

During any therapeutic intervention 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 am also very happy to discuss working with children in groups.  For example I have run successful group work on subjects such as:

  • Social Skills
  • Building self esteem
  • Working together
  • Loss/Attachment
  • Dealing with Anxiety

I also offer training courses, so that if you are unable to begin a contract for me to see the pupils directly, consider a training course for your staff. Training courses can be run over a few hours, or a couple of days, then if needed, with a review meeting the following term. I have been teaching counselling, in the UK and across Europe for many years. The courses will give your teachers lifelong tools to ensure that – when encountering a child who is having difficulties – they know how best to approach each situation. To find out more please go to the training section.

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.