Play Therapy Services at Yellow Flowers
Play and Creative Arts Therapy
I fully recognise that many of today’s young people are finding it hard to navigate our increasingly complex society. This is especially true of some of our older children with their increased use of social media and computer gaming, and their access to such diverse, often confusing, online content.
Some clients could also have issues related to unpleasant, maybe traumatic, current or past life-events or are experiencing ongoing difficult circumstances at home or elsewhere.
Some clients also have to contend with certain disabilities, conditions or learning needs.
All of this can sometimes lead our young people to feel that life is enormously challenging and overwhelming, and can hinder their ability to participate fully in society in a happy and healthy way. I am a passionate advocate for this young generation and am dedicated to supporting their journey towards independence and a more liberated existence through therapeutic interventions.
I firmly believe that developing a trusting, non-judgemental rapport with my clients, within a safe space, is crucial to the therapeutic process and I am confident in my abilities to do so.
I always take a very child-centred, holistic approach and I like to work in a non-directive way. This means that clients can choose to express themselves in their own way and in their own time, gradually bringing their problems out into the open at a pace that feels comfortable to them. This is often done through the safety of metaphor, which play and art can provide e.g. through the use of symbolic miniature figures and objects.
Clients can even play, create, sit or move around in silence if they wish to. Clients can choose whether or not (and how) they use any of the materials or toys in the room. Their choices are always respected.
However, there are also opportunities to work on specific problems with a more direct approach if this is something that the client prefers.
Of course, clients are always free to talk through their problems openly, if they feel comfortable to do so.
Clients will be able to choose from media (which I will provide) such as:
Paints
Crayons
Paper (and various craft materials)
Clay
Foam
Play-dough
Water
Musical instruments
Construction toys (like Lego)
Sand-tray
Symbolic miniatures and figures
Dolls’ houses
Board games
Guided imagery
Relaxation techniques
Drama
Puppetry
Movement (such as yoga ball for self-regulation)
Therapeutic stories -which can be written especially for a client around their specific issues.
I am happy to work with small groups of similarly-aged children, who share similar difficulties (such as friendship issues, anxiety, worries about transitioning to secondary school). Groups can be of 3 to 4 clients. Clients with more serious, complex problems are usually less suited to group work but can be worked with on an individual basis.
Group work is usually only offered to schools, though I am happy to try and accommodate this in private practice if requested. This work is much more directive than individual sessions but I have found this to be equally effective. Pricing will be different to individual sessions, but this can be discussed.
Group Work
Creative Arts Therapy for Teenagers
Everyone knows how challenging life can be as a teenager, but today’s teens have a lot to contend with.
Many are still suffering the after-effects of the Covid years, such as addiction to computer gaming or a decreased ability to socialise in-person, or to physically attend educational settings.
So many teens (and pre-teens) experience the intense pressure of maintaining a popular and attractive online presence, and hold an almost constant worry of having embarrassing photos/videos or unkind (often untrue) rumours spread about them on social media.
Adolescence is an important, identity-forming stage, but trying to work out who they really are and what they truly believe in, amidst the enormous quantity, and varying quality, of internet influences, can be utterly exhausting and very confusing for many teenagers. This is coupled with peer pressure, which is so intensified by social media.
All of these issues have contributed to a huge rise in anxiety amongst our young people, which can lead to a whole host of other problems if left untouched.
In addition, many teens may have to contend with past or present traumatic experiences and some may also be living with certain conditions, illnesses, disabilities or learning needs.
I have several decades of experience of working with troubled teenagers through my youth and support work within various cities and towns, both in the UK and abroad. I feel confident at being able to build trusting relationships quickly and make teenaged clients feel at ease.
I think Creative Arts Therapy is naturally suited to self-conscious and angst-ridden teenagers, who may welcome the opportunity to non-verbally (e.g. through clay, sand-tray work, music or drawing) express and process those problems that they may feel too awkward to talk about openly.
It is not at all necessary to be ‘good at art’ as the aim is purely self-expression, leading to a greater sense of calm, self-understanding and resilience. Clients can always choose other activities if art makes them feel uncomfortable in any way.
As they grow in confidence and self-awareness, teens may eventually find that the confidential and non-judgemental environment provides the welcome relief of being able to begin discussing those thoughts and feelings that they dare not share with friends, or even family (obviously, any Safeguarding issues will always be reported, with the client's knowledge). However, talking through problems always remains a personal choice and non-verbal therapy can still be hugely effective.
Some teens may be happy to work through specific issues with a more direct approach -perhaps choosing to learn different breathing or movement activities to aid sleep or relaxation, or focusing their sand trays or art on a theme related to their specific problem e.g. school-related anxiety or anger issues.
Beginning the Play and Creative Arts Therapy Process and What to Expect
Parents can request appointments directly with me, or referrals can be made by anyone working with children -such as teachers or the school SENDCo.
A Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire will need to be completed by those making the referral to assess the severity of the client’s issues.
Before therapy begins, the therapist always speaks with parents to discuss the client’s needs and to gain their consent.
Parents will also be asked to complete their own Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires relating to the client’s issues.
CORE Young Person's or CORE 34 assessments may also be utilised.
SEPACTO (System for Evaluating Play and Creative Arts Therapy Outcomes) are also used with work in schools.
The therapist then holds an introductory session to meet the client, to explain the process and to check if they consent to the therapy and fully understand its purpose.
A contract is then made, with clearly established boundaries, and agreed to by both the therapist and the client to ensure everyone is kept safe. This session also enables the client to familiarise themselves with the therapist as well as the room and play/art materials available.
The confidential sessions are then held weekly, ideally at the same time and place, because consistency is important to the therapeutic process.
There needs to be a minimum of 12-15 sessions for the therapy to be effective, but some clients will require more.
All my client work is guided by my personal reflections and observations on the process and through regular supervision.
Parents, clients (and teachers) are invited to review meetings around Week 8 to discuss progress and decide if further sessions will be necessary.
Further Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires can be completed at this point.
End reports can be written upon request with an additional fee.
