I am currently only taking on new referrals from
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Windlesham School, or
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Parents wishing to discuss concerns and possible practical solutions to support behaviour at home (find more details in the Parents and Carers section below).
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Please enquire via email at mel.playtherapy@gmail.com.
NEW REFERRALS
“Mel gently opens up children to recognising their own issues, and to feeling safe in working out solutions together, which seem to stick long term.”
Head of Inclusion, St Andrew's Primary School, Hove
WHAT IS PLAY THERAPY?
Toys are the words, play is the language
It is a counselling method used to help children process and communicate their experiences, emotions and unresolved trauma through the use of toys and play. This includes children:
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with emotional and behavioural difficulties (e.g. anxiety, anger, lack of focus, friendship difficulties)
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who have experienced loss through family separation, divorce or bereavement
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who are ill, disabled or who cope with family members who have long-term illness or disability
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have experienced neglect, abuse or trauma
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Children often do not have the understanding and language skills to communicate their emotional experiences, so by observing a child’s play patterns and themes, the therapist can gain insight into the child’s inner world. Mel works using a range of media: sand, clay, arts and crafts, puppets, music, stories and creative visualisations. By creating a safe, free, and protected space, the child is given the opportunity to work through deeper emotional fears and experiences. Children are given permission to express themselves in whatever way they are comfortable. Talking, which can be scary, is not required.
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Children communicate emotional distress at school and at home through their behaviour. By reflecting a child’s process, emotions and play themes, the child begins to gain a vocabulary of feelings. More importantly, by reflecting the child’s play and emotions, the therapist makes children feel understood and validated, they begin to make sense of their experiences and can start to explore solutions.
BENEFITS OF PLAY THERAPY
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Work through and understand feelings
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Improved concentration and focus
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A greater sense of well-being and calm
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Increased resilience, self-esteem, self-regulation
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Better potential for learning
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Improved relationships and social skills
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Greater happiness
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PARENTS & CARERS
Children often reveal their feelings through their behaviour. Emotional dysregulation (anxiety, being quick to anger, finding it hard to settle or sleep, friendships difficulties) can be symptoms of your child trying to manage their feelings without being able to articulate them. Mel works with parents to better understand what these behaviours might mean, providing practical ideas on how to help your child feel seen, understood, and their emotions validated.
Simple changes in your parenting style can facilitate change in your child. If you would like to book time to speak to Mel please send a brief email. A quick free chat by phone will establish if this might be useful for you, and sessions, charged hourly, can be scheduled thereafter.
PARENT-CHILD ATTACHMENT PLAY (PCAP)
Mel works with parents and carers, delivering Parent-Child Attachment Play (PCAP). This is an evidence-based programme which helps empower the parent/carer, to make change in their own family, by improving the quality of their relationship with their child.
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PCAP is deal for: post trauma/domestic violence, foster carers/adoptive parents, parents in recovery from drug/alcohol misuse, carers providing early child care, and any parents/carers who feel they need some support.
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The practitioner nurtures the parent/carer through 10 steps, and introduces 3 skills to improve the quality of the parent/carer – child relationship: child-centred play, containment and reflective functioning
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Learning is through playfulness, curiosity and supported practice
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Through practise and support, the parent-child relationship improves, the learned skills become embedded, and family life becomes more manageable.
What is involved?
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This can be delivered 1:1, to couples or to small groups of parents/carers.
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The practitioner meets the parent/carer weekly to deliver the programme, or for groups, it can be run as a short course.
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3 TRANSFORMATIVE SKILLS are introduced, modelled by the practitioner and role played/practised with the parent/carer, allowing the parent/carer to develop the skills and understand the other’s perspective.
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Testimonials
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"I have really enjoyed working with Mel, through an incredibly difficult time in my life where my confidence as a parent was at an all time low. My confidence is improving, I never felt judged and I appreciate all Mel's hard work. I know I am a better parent because of it."
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"The PCAP sessions run by Mel were fun and cast a light on ways we can parent effectively and use play in our parenting style. I would highly recommend the sessions."
TESTIMONIALS
His overall behaviour and happiness seem to have got better. He seems happy again.
Parent, 7 year old
His confidence has grown….. he makes others laugh and can finally laugh at himself too.
Teacher, 11 year old
For the first time, she smiles when she sees adults and teachers.
Teacher, 8 year old
Play therapy has helped him to communicate feelings rather than to simply react. It has helped regulate emotions and he has grown in confidence.
Parent, 7 year old
My boy seeing you has really helped me feel less anxious about how he is coping with his emotions. He has come a long way in being able to express and speak up for himself.
He looks forward to his session each week and I have noticed a marked increase in his confidence and ease with other people. So much so that friends, neighbours and family have remarked on it.
Parent, 6 year old
Parent, 8 year old
I have really enjoyed working with Mel, through an incredibly difficult time in my life where my confidence as a parent was at an all time low. My confidence is improving, I never felt judged and I appreciate all Mel's hard work. I know I am a better parent because of it.
The PCAP sessions run by Mel were fun and cast a light on ways we can parent effectively and use play in our parenting style. I would highly recommend the sessions.
Parent attending PCAP course
Couple attending PCAP course
MY STORY
I am a Certified Play Therapist, based in Brighton & Hove. Initially I trained as a Speech & Language Pathologist, followed by a 15-year career in communications. After having my own family, I decided to return to working with children. During my role in learning support, I saw first-hand the positive impact brought by the Play Therapist to children who were struggling in school. I was hooked and decided to pursue additional training.
I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, which is accredited by the Professional Standards Agency (PSA), and abide by the their code of ethics. I have an Enhanced DBS and am fully insured.
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Qualifications:
BA Hons Linguistics and Language Pathology
Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills
Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy (Distinction)
Practitioner of Parent-Child Attachment Play
Therapeutic Life Story Work practitioner
