About me
My Name is Andrea Smith and I am a Play therapist. I work mostly with children aged 4 to 12 in my private therapy room in Illingworth. I provide a confidential space for children to share their thoughts and feelings with the aim that they can work through any difficult emotion they may have.
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is based on the way a child best learns and communicates - through play. Young children have not yet developed the language, or emotional maturity to be able to explain their feelings through words. Play therapy allows a child to express themselves in a way that comes naturally. It aims to help them understand their emotions and behaviour, feel better about themselves, and to develop their resilience.
My role as a therapist is to support and enable the child to explore their experiences through a safe, non-judgemental way. All information shared is confidential (unless someone is at risk of harm) to ensure a trusting relationship can be built.
What can I expect?
After your initial enquiry over the phone or via email, we will arrange a time for you to come for an initial meeting to discuss your reason for looking into therapy, your goals and to answer any questions you have. This initial meeting is conducted without the child present so that we can talk openly about your concerns.
If you decide to go ahead with the therapy we would arrange a regular time for me to meet with your child and then plan the best way for me to be introduced to your child.
There is no obligation after the initial meeting to go ahead with the play therapy, some people may change their minds or feel that this therapy is not right for them and that is fine. A child can also say no to therapy. In order for the therapy to be successful, the child needs to be ready and willing to engage in the process.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a Certified Play Therapist with PTUK and have experience of working with children in mainstream schools as well as those with special educational needs.
I have also completed Autoplay training and use this as part of my regular therapy sessions.
My initial qualifications are as a primary teacher and I then re-trained as a play therapist when I saw the need to support children with their mental health as well as their academic work.
I have worked as a therapist with primary aged children and with older children with additional learning needs. As long as a child is happy to play or be creative, play therapy can help.
I also have experience in supporting children following adoption, bullying, family bereavement, abuse, accidents, anger/rage, anxiety and depression and many more.
Please feel free to contact me or take a look at my website to see how I might be able to help.
Member organisations
Play Therapy UK is the largest organisation governing therapeutic play and play therapy in the United Kingdom. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£45.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I charge £45 per session. There is no charge for short phone conversations or for the initial meeting. All other meetings are charged at the same price as the child's sessions.
I do not want money to get in the way of a child getting the help they need, so please do talk to me about this and we may be able to make an arrangement that will help you.
When I work
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You are welcome to contact me on any day. If I cannot speak to you straight away, I will get back to you as soon as I can.
