"Toys are like words for children and play is their language."
Garry Landreth
Play and Creative Therapy for Children, Young People and the People who Love Them
Is your child struggling with issues related to attachment, developmental trauma, adoption or foster care, family separation, grief, anxiety, bullying, anger, emotional regulation, behavioural difficulties, major life changes or the impact of Covid 19? Are you struggling with parenting or family life? I’m a BACP registered and accredited Counsellor and a PTUK Certified Play Therapist in the Belfast/Lisburn area, and I would love to support you and your child or family on your journey toward healing and positive change.
About Play, Creative and Teleplay Therapy
I use play, creative and teleplay therapy techniques over Zoom to allow clients to express their feelings in a gentle, non-intrusive way through sensory and imaginary play, art, music, drama, movement, sand, creative visualisation and therapeutic story telling. This helps instill self-understanding among clients and encourages them to adopt new attitudes and feelings towards life situations. It is essential to keep in mind that therapy is not a magic wand or a quick fix: therapy is a healing process that necessitates participation and investment from the client and caretaker alike. But in the end, making small changes to self-defeating behavior and learning to express and cope with feelings of sadness, fear, and pain can bring many positive results.
Play, Creative and Teleplay Therapy Sessions
Quality Child/Youth Therapy
If you are looking for quality Play, Creative or Teleplay Therapy sessions with a certified and accredited therapist that cares, then you’ve come to the right place. Play, Creative and Teleplay Therapy Sessions are one-to-one 50 minute sessions for children ages 2-18. I normally do a parental interview assessment, 6 ongoing sessions and a review, after which we can re-contract if more sessions are needed. My approach is child-directed/ client-led. I have over 18 years of experience implementing various methods to help children and young people grow towards healing and wholeness. All of these therapies are now available online.
Filial Therapy Online
Child-Parent-Relationship Therapy
In my filial therapy sessions I use a combination of therapeutic parenting/attachment enhancing psycho-education for parents alongside bespoke coaching and feedback on practical 30 minute therapeutic play sessions they are taught to conduct at home with their own children. Parent training sessions are 2 hours every 2 weeks with a tea break in between. This is a time limited 12 week training program with a very strong research base and all done over Zoom from the comfort of your own home.
Clinical Supervision, Personal Therapy Training and Group Work
Additional Services
I am an approved clinical supervisor for Play Therapy UK and can also supervise BACP, IACP and NCS counsellors, therapists and students. In addition I have supervised art therapists and music therapists.  In most cases I can offer online supervision. I also offer personal therapy for students at a reduced rate. I offer The Healing Timeline trauma therapy for teenagers and adults who are looking for a faith based intervention.  I can facilitate bespoke training events for groups of therapists, professionals, parents and children or young people. Topics include attachment, developmental trauma, adoption, foster care, anxiety, ASD/ADHD and other special needs, playful parenting, therapeutic play, etc. I can speak on various topics for community groups, churches, counselling and youth organisations as well.