Creativity and resilience lie at the heart of a person’s ability to cope with, and respond to, life’s difficulties.   Drawing on my experience of many years work with children and young people in educational settings I address the developmental age of the individual, whilst respecting their actual age, so as to support them to develop helpful coping strategies for life.  I work regularly for the Foster Care Association and Adoption Services, addressing problematic behaviours through a creative and life enhancing approach that draws on the young person’s strengths.  There are many reasons young people come to therapy, such as relationship and peer group difficulties; anxiety and depression; developmental and complex trauma; bereavement, and so on.  Whatever brings the young person to therapy it is important to develop trust in order to work effectively and I do this by collaborating with the young person, to identify appropriate and meaningful metaphors for what troubles them, addressing issues through age appropriate play and creativity, and only reflecting on hidden meanings when and if the young person becomes ready.  Activities may include use of art materials, drama and movement, stories, objects and puppets, whatever is developmentally appropriate or suitable for the young person.  I am fully insured and I have the Enhanced Criminal Record Certificate (CRB) issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

affirmation of self

expressing and exploring feelings

exploration of choice and self-responsibility

building self-confidence and self-esteem

increased emotional literacy, social skills, communication skills

working with the imagination and developing a creative vocabulary

working safely with clear boundaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

therapy takes place in the 'space' between actual experience and the imaginative interpretation of that experience

dramatherapy with young children has many similarities with play therapy