Appointments: hannah@reachplaytherapy.com
Appointments: hannah@reachplaytherapy.com
About Me
I am incredibly passionate about Play Therapy and how it can help children and families. I believe that by providing children with mental health support when they need it, we are enhancing their resilience and providing them with tools and strategies that they can use throughout their lives when they are faced with difficult situations. Childhood is a unique period of life, and I believe it is important to have mental health interventions that are specifically designed for children to allow them to engage in and benefit from support being offered.
I started my career as a Play Worker at after school clubs and holiday clubs for children with additional needs. I then completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology with a focus on development and developmental disorders. I began my Play Therapy MA after experiencing a variety of job roles in which I felt key parts of and experiences of children were being missed. I felt as though approaches that focused solely on behaviour or learning were not adequate in meeting children's needs, and did not actually support their behaviour or their learning. Play Therapy provided an approach which values all parts of a child and seeks to understand the communication behind the behaviour. I completed my first placement in a primary school and my second placement in a bereavement service. Since qualifying I have worked in primary schools and private therapy spaces in which I have met children and families facing a wide variety of challenges. I have experience of working with: bereavement and loss, anxiety, aggression, neurodivergence, family breakdown, serious/chronic illness (child's own and within the family), domestic violence, substance misuse/addiction with the family, behavioural problems, neglect and developmental trauma.
Working with children is never done in isolation and I have found it vital to work with the system around the child to support the process of therapeutic change. This includes families, schools and other professionals involved with the child. I have completed further training in Filial Therapy, an approach in which parents are supported to become the agents of therapeutic change for their children. I have also completed a Foundation in Systemic Practice which supports my work with parents and families.
What makes a BAPT Play Therapist different?
There are many people who use play in their work with children and it can be confusing to try to work out who does what. A 'Play Specialist' usually works in hospitals to help children understand and engage in medical procedures. A 'Play Worker' can often be found at after school clubs, summer holiday clubs or play centres and they do not use play therapeutically. Even within Play Therapy there are differences in training and approach. It's important to ensure that the Play Therapist you choose to work with your child or in your school has the appropriate qualifications and training and is registered with an accrediting body.
BAPT Play Therapists must have an undergraduate degree or professional qualification and 5 years of experience working with children in order to start their Play Therapy training. The MA in Play Therapy is a rigorous 2 year clinical training in which 100 hours of supervised placement is completed alongside a comprehensive theoretical and research based academic programme. BAPT training covers psychoanalytic theory, attachment theory, neuroscience and child development to provide multiple perspectives and a solid foundation for clinical practice. BAPT student therapists are also required to undertake their own personal therapy to develop self-awareness and support their practice.
Once qualified, BAPT therapists are supported by the professional association, meaning that they adhere to the BAPT Ethical Framework, receive adequate supervision and maintain their professional development to stay up to date with best practice.
Animal Assisted Play Therapy ™
I have always loved animals and have a special interest in involving animals in Play Therapy. I completed my MA dissertation on Play Therapists' perceptions of involving dogs in their practice. I have completed Level 1 and Level 2 Training in Animal Assisted Play Therapy ™ with the International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy ® (IIAAPT). I have a Black Labrador named Hank who attended Level 2 training with me and, once we are both certified, will join me in my work as Play Therapist.
