" You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation"
Plato
What is Play Therapy?
- Play Therapy is an effective form of therapy for children with a wide range of emotional and behavioural difficulties including depression, anxiety, aggression and issues relating to difficult life experiences such as abuse, bereavement and loss, family breakdown / separation, domestic violence and trauma.
- Children often find it difficult to express themselves verbally and so traditional talking therapies can be difficult for them. Play is a child's natural way of expressing themselves. Play therapy is a therapeutic method of Psychotherapy for children aged 3 and upwards that explores a child's natural means of expression to help them cope in their world.
- It is a clinical therapy aimed at supporting mental health needs and development difficulties of all young children & adolescents. Play enables the therapist and child to develop a trusted relationship which is consistent with helping a person gain mastery over a situation or trauma they have experienced. This therapeutic intervention attunes to the client's pace while using non-directive or directive therapy.
- As well as helping children overcome the difficulties they encounter in their lives, the goal of play therapy is to build self-esteem and self-awareness, improve ways of expressing emotions, help improve communication, and to help improve relationships. To help them cope with any difficulties, to identify and talk about their feelings and to explore ways of dealing with them
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About Elaine
I am an Accredited Play and Adolescent therapist based in Mountbellew Co. Galway.
My approach is empathetic, understanding, patient, calm, warm and approachable. I believe in the importance of consistency, firm boundaries and strong listening skills within the therapeutic relationship. Understanding the value of empowering children and youths personalities and their true selves by accepting and allowing their emotions to emerge.
I have years of experience working with children/youths in both educational and therapeutic settings, I have helped children with wide-ranging issues, including anxiety, aggression, low self esteem, sibling rivalry, family separation, grief, bullying, bedwetting, nightmares , ASD, ADHD, DCD, bereavement, medical trauma, body dysmorphia and disordered eating.
My work clinically supervised. I am Garda vetted and a member of APAC, PTUK, PTI and PTlrI
I am on the Register of Play and Creative Arts Therapists that has been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
My approach is empathetic, understanding, patient, calm, warm and approachable. I believe in the importance of consistency, firm boundaries and strong listening skills within the therapeutic relationship. Understanding the value of empowering children and youths personalities and their true selves by accepting and allowing their emotions to emerge.
I have years of experience working with children/youths in both educational and therapeutic settings, I have helped children with wide-ranging issues, including anxiety, aggression, low self esteem, sibling rivalry, family separation, grief, bullying, bedwetting, nightmares , ASD, ADHD, DCD, bereavement, medical trauma, body dysmorphia and disordered eating.
Adolescents:
I use various modes of therapy, including creative arts, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural (CBT), and integrative approaches, to address mental and emotional issues. These modes differ in their focus, with some exploring past experiences (psychodynamic) and others focusing on current thought patterns and behaviours (CBT). I use an integrative approach that combines different techniques to suit individual needs.Parental Supports:
I am an accredited evidence-based Parents Plus Children's parenting programme facilitator. The parenting programme equips parents to effectively support their children's learning and emotional well-being, as well as deal with behavioural and emotional problems. I am also a trained life coach and a trained Mindful Parenting programme facilitator.My work clinically supervised. I am Garda vetted and a member of APAC, PTUK, PTI and PTlrI
I am on the Register of Play and Creative Arts Therapists that has been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Achievements and Training
- Diploma in Integrative Adolescent Psychotherapy (IACP)
- Specialist Post Graduate Cert in Youth Mental Health Promotion (University of Galway and Jigsaw)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Practice Based Play Therapy
Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy (APAC)
Accredited by NUI Galway - Post-Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills
Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy (APAC)
Accredited by NUI Galway - Post Graduate Diploma in Primary Education (Hibernia College)
- Masters in Rural Development (UCD)
- Cert in Community Development in a Changing Ireland (NUI Maynooth)
- ELKLAN Speech and Language Accredited facilitator 0-5 and 3-5's (ELKLAN)
- Parents Plus Children's Parenting Programme Accredited trainer (Parents Plus)
- Certificate in Bereavement and Loss (ICPPD)
- Cert in Children's Meditation (Centre of Excellence)
- Coaching Models Of Practice (QQI level 6)
- Narrative 4 Empathy Education Facilitator (Narrative 4)
- TUSLA Mindful Parenting Programme facilitator training (Louise Shanagher)
- Youth Mental Health 1st Aid (HSE)
- Trauma and Attachment Practice Training (Tusla)
- Children's First Training in Child Protection (Tusla – Child and Family Agency)
- Supporting Children during Separation (One Family)
https://apac.org.uk
https://playtherapyregister.org.uk
CONTACT
If your child or adolescent is facing difficulties, or if you require parenting support don't hesitate to contact me, either by phone or simply fill in the contact form and I will get back to you as soon as possible!
Solas Play Therapy
Ballinahattina, Mountbellew
www.solasplaytherapy,ie