Personnel and Structure
Therapeutic Staff
Playtime currently has a team of five principal qualified and experienced therapists, supported by a Family Liaison Worker and a Clinical Project Manager.
In order to ensure the well-being of our therapeutic staff, we have strict limits on the case load that each therapist holds, and adhere to the recommended level of clinical supervision provided to our team by a fully qualified counsellor.
Our highly skilled and experienced therapeutic team is supported by recognised processes/methodology with the availability of relevant materials and equipment. In addition, on-going staff development is encouraged by the regular provision of both internal and external training programmes.
Below gives a brief outline of the Playtime staff experience and their roles within the organisation:
- Brigid Cox, Therapeutic Play Worker
1975-77
- Nursery Nursing Qualification obtained (NNEB)
1992-to date
- Manager / Owner Manse Nursery, Stevington, Beds, Ages 1-5
- Playscheme Manager, Stevington Ages 5-14
- Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Play Work, Leeds Metropolitan(awaiting final award)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy, Liverpool Hope
Brigid has thirty years’ experience of children’s development based on a belief that children needed freedom, within safe boundaries, to direct their own exploration of the world around them, so that they flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially.
Her practice is best expressed in the objectives described below:
- Establishing a safe atmosphere
- Understanding and accepting the child’s world
- Encouraging expression of the child’s emotional world
- Establishing a feeling of permissiveness
- Facilitating decision-making by the child
- Providing the child an opportunity to develop self-responsibility and self-control
- Frances Mott, Play Therapist
Qualifications:
Certificate Psychology / Diploma Psychology / Certificate Applied Psychology Certificate Counselling Drug & Alcohol Users / Certificate Counselling Children & Adolescents / Certificate Systemic Therapy With Couples & Families / N.C.F.E. Drug Awareness / Auricular Acupuncture Specialist / Post Graduate Certificate Therapeutic Play / Intermediate Theraplay / Solution Focussed Therapy / Certified & Accredited Play Therapist.
Short Courses:
Training for Trainers / Domestic Violence / Parenting Skills / Anger Management.
I have worked with children for over 15 years in the care system, both private and statutory. I’ve also worked in both wet and dry hostels and throughout the whole drug and alcohol detoxify and rehabilitation service. Also carried out mediation with families in Brixton, dealing with immigration issues and housing referrals and counselled the children of Lilian Baylis School in Lambeth. I began studying Play Therapy whilst developing a children’s project and teaching doctors how to assess alcohol problems. I am presently studying for my masters, completing NVQ manager’s course, the coursework for Theraplay and a Continued Education Certificate in Sand play therapy.
- Nikki Bright Therapeutic Playworker and Office Manager
- 1996 – Diploma of Higher Education.
- 1997 – B.A. Hons in Professional studies in Playwork.
- 2000 – Level 2 Advanced Course in Counselling
- 2004 – Introductory Theraplay, Marschak Introduction Method and Group Introductory Theraplay.
- 2005 – Midlands Course in group work with children and adolescents.
- 2006 – Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Play.
I have worked for five years for Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs, within their school based team, facilitating and developing after school clubs and peer support groups using Protective Behaviours, small group work, individual pastoral work care and residential holidays for children aged 9 –13 years of age. Following this I worked for nearly two years as a children’s worker for CAN’s drug and alcohol counselling service. My role supported children, who were affected by their parent/carer drugs and alcohol use, therapeutically.
For nearly 3 years now I have been working for Playtime. Part of my role has been to work with children using therapeutic play techniques to relieve their suffering from a traumatic experience. The other part of my role has been, as a Family Link Worker supporting the parents/carers whose children have accessed our service.
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Rosy Thomas Therapeutic Playworker
- 1999-2003 BA (hons) Psychology
- 2004-2006 Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Play- Leeds University (ongoing)
- 2006-2008 PG Dip Play Therapy- Liverpool Hope University (ongoing)
- 2006 Intermediate Theraplay- Theraplay Institute Chicago.
Relevant Experience:
- Sessional worker for individual Children with Autism.
- Residential care worker with children with special needs and challenging behaviours.
I have been working for Playtime as a therapeutic Play worker and family link worker for two years. I work with children on an individual and group basis. I am based in Kingswood Primary School in Corby and Billingbrook special needs school in Northampton.
Current Work:
- Trained in protective behaviours
- Trainer for 9-10 year olds in peer support skills
- Peer group administrator.
- Individual therapeutic Play
- Therapeutic Play group facilitator.
- Trainee Play Therapist (PG Dip Liverpool Hope University)
- Trainee Theraplay therapist (institute Chicago).
- Sandra Emmet Play Therapist
- 1994 - BSc (Hons) Psychology, University of York
- 1995 - MSc Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology, University College London and the Anna Freud Centre.
- 2002 - Intensive supervised play therapy practise, University of North Texas. Supervised by Professor Garry Landreth.
- 2004 - Intensive supervised play therapy practise, University of North Texas. Supervised by Sue Bratton, President of the Association of Play Therapy.
- 2004 - Introductory Theraplay Training with Phyllis Booth from the Institute of Theraplay Chicago.
- 2004 - 2006 -Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy, Liverpool University.
- 2005 - Intermediate Theraplay Training with Phyllis Booth.
I have attended play therapy courses since 1993, culminating in the Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy from University of Liverpool, which is recognised by the British Association of Play Therapy.
My experiences have included work with adults with profound learning disabilities, encouraging play with families from different cultural backgrounds. Also starting up and running play groups in Hong Kong, to promote the benefits of play in a child-centred environment.
I regularly attend play therapy conferences in England and America, as well as conferences at the Centre for Child mental Health, in order to embrace current trends in supporting children with difficulties.
I work in a child-centred way, influenced by Humanistic Psychology and the belief that the child has the ability to heal himself given the right environment. Carl Rogers, Virgina Axline and Garry Landreth have inspired my work.
- Sophie Kirk, Therapeutic Playworker and Family Link Worker
Relevant Experience:
- Therapeutic Project Worker within a residential unit for young girls with eating disorders.
- Community Support Worker, assisting a variety of clients, ranging from individuals with mental health issues, teenage mothers to substance users.
- Residential Care Worker within a residential unit for children with Autism.
Current Work:
- Family link worker at Playtime supporting families of children receiving Play Therapy.
- Trained in Protective Behaviours
- Trainer for 9-10 year olds in Peer Support Skills
- Peer Group Administrator
- Group leader in Therapeutic Group Work
- Trainee Theraplay Therapist (Institute Chicago)
- Trainee Play Therapist (PG Dip Liverpool Hope University).
Administrative Staff
Management and administration support is provided by a Board of Trustees, part-time employees and volunteers, who have, between them, created and implemented a professional organisation meeting legislative and business needs. |
