I work with children between the ages of 4 and 13 years old. The counselling approach that I use is play therapy, an approach that uses play as the natural language of children. Although I primarily use play therapy techniques such as play, art, drama, music, and sand tray therapy, I have a background in Social Work and consider myself to work in an eclectic way. Every child is an individual who comes to counselling with a unique personality, life experience and needs and therefore the way in which I work with children is dependent on what will work best for the individual child. I incorporate strength based and solution focused approaches into therapy with children.

I work with these goals in mind:

• To enable the child to deal with difficult emotional issues.

• To enable the child to achieve some congruence with regard to thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

• To enable the child to feel good about themselves.

• To enable the child to accept their limitations and strengths and to feel okay about them.

• To enable the child to change behaviours that cause negative consequences.

• To enable the child to function comfortably and adaptively within the external environment such as school or home.

• To maximize the opportunity for the child to pursue developmental milestones.

Common life stressors such as moving schools, moving homes, bullying, divorce in the family, death in the family, and abuse of any kind, have significant effects on children’s emotional, physical, social and cognitive development. Many children experience one or more of these life stressors and will at some point require support in working their way through these challenges. In therapy attention is given to building a trusting relationship with the child and the child is encouraged to lead the session and work in collaboration with me to work towards goals and solutions based on their need. I view the child in a holistic way and therefore take into account all aspects of the child’s life.

Who can benefit from play therapy?