“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. We wouldn’t do without her.”
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
Please feel free to contact me if you have concerns about your child. I can outline how I work and answer any questions you might have about Play Therapy. If I am unable to help your child immediately, I can offer you an online consultation to further understand your concerns, and perhaps discuss some practical activities you could start with your child at home.
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Contact:
07598 356629
I work Monday - Wednesday
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."
THERAPEUTIC LIFE STORY WORK (TLSW)
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“It is hard to grow up as a psychologically healthy adult if one is denied access to one’s own history.” Fahlberg, 2008
Mel works with children and young people who have grown up in foster and residential care, or those within adoptive families, helping them to develop a clear narrative account of their life. Adoption legislation changes in 2005 made TLSW a statutory requirement.
Therapeutic life story work is much more than just creating a life story book, an album of photos or a memory box of special moments, although these are very valuable tools in helping a child to have a sense of identity. Mel shares the journey of their life with each child, and using sensitive and thoughtful activities facilitates the child’s therapeutic process and understanding of the past, present and future.
TLSW helps the child to:
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develop a sense of identity and self-esteem
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form attachments and begin to trust again
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understand their needs, wishes and behaviours
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supports them through change and painful experiences, what has happened and why
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help them to retain their memories
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help them to separate reality from fantasy
TLSW Model
Mel follows the Richard Rose model: The Information Bank, assessment and planning, Internalisation and Life Story Book, and will work with foster carers, adoptive parents, adoption agencies, local authorities and social workers.
PLAY THERAPY IN SCHOOLS
Half of mental health problems* are now recognised to emerge before the age of 14. Early intervention is essential to help children work through and understand experiences and feelings, make sense of the world, and ultimately, to be happy.
A school Play Therapy service helps children and adolescents process and resolve emotional difficulties,
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helping them to focus and thrive emotionally, socially and academically
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reducing the negative impact of their behaviour in the classroom.
Play therapists are trained to help children unlock and express challenging experiences; being child-centred means each child is met at their developmental stage so that activities can be incorporated to suit each individual.
Play Therapy can help address issues such as anxiety, anger, lack of focus, low self-esteem, friendship difficulties, family break up, trauma, bereavement, bullying, or long-term illness. Mel also works with parents and carers to promote attachment skills and their associated benefits.
Recognising the pressures on school budgets, Mel Wright Play Therapy is a cost effective service, providing support for children, teachers and parents. Usually funded by Pupil Premium or by parents themselves, I can offer your school:
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A highly effective service, at a rate to be agreed according to your school’s needs
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Therapeutic intervention for individuals or groups
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All equipment provided
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Pre and post assessments, with detailed final reports
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Regular updates, advice and support for parents and teachers
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*2017 government report into child and adolescent mental health.
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
Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy
Practitioner of Parent-Child Attachment Play
CONTACT ME
For an informal, no commitment chat to find out more about how we could work together, please contact me by phone or email.