A strong bond between a child and the key adults in their life has long been considered essential for lifelong emotional well-being. One way of cementing and developing such relationships is by implementing the techniques and principles of Theraplay®.
In this Blog ASK founding member and Theraplay ® practitioner, supervisor and trainer Dr Amelia Taylor, will explore the benefits of Theraplay®, and offer a personal insight into how it can transform emotional development while strengthening the caregiver-child relationship.
Starting out with Theraplay®
I started my journey in Theraplay® in 2014 when Annie Kiermeier came and trained my Local Authority Educational Psychology service in Level 1 and Group.
I knew it was going to change the way I worked in terms of how I could support children, families and professionals. Totally inspired and wanting to get started, I contacted Annie who had returned to America to see if she would be able to provide some supervision for me.
I began using some of the goal-setting tools and then providing Theraplay® sessions both in schools and in a clinical setting for children in foster care and their carers. It grew from there.
Building skills and transforming practice
I joined the Theraplay® Practicum and completed level 2 training. It was not an easy process but it was joyful and I felt I learned so much. I was lucky to have some prior experience of supervising and training in some related areas so Annie recommended me for the Train the Trainer Programme and the Supervisor’s Practicum.
I began doing some private work funded through the Adoption Support Fund with supervision in place. Alongside that, I was able to bring Theraplay® and deliver dyadic and group interventions. By that point, I was training alongside Annie and completed my Train the Trainer Programme just as schools closed because of the Covid Pandemic. We trialled Theraplay® interventions, training and supervision online.
As things became safe again, I became a solo trainer and part of Theraplay UK and I now train throughout the UK. Through Theraplay UK, I met Dr Helen Rodwell, Clinical Psychologist, Theraplay Practitioner, Trainer and Supervisor. Helen and I are both now Directors of Theraplay UK alongside 4 amazing and experienced colleagues. We wanted to bring Theraplay® training to the Northeast where, certainly in my experience, we lack qualified Theraplay® Practitioners.
Building a safe space
If a child or young person has experienced adversity or trauma (of many types), building relationships and positive attachment can sometimes be less straightforward. Creating a sense of safety is a key part of Theraplay®
Theraplay® is a great way to slowly build trust between caregivers and their young people. The techniques and play-based therapy we use in the training are particularly beneficial to those who have displayed signs of attachment disorder or who may need additional support with emotional regulation.
The playful and interactive nature of Theraplay® promotes positive emotional experiences, helping children build self-esteem and emotional regulation.
It also encourages better social skills and both verbal and non-verbal communication, as children learn to engage with others in a supportive environment.
Putting Theraplay® into practice
I have always found that Theraplay® is a joyful intervention for enhancing attachments, building interactions, building self-esteem and supporting positive mental health in many ways.
As well as dyadic Theraplay®, which is typically with a Theraplay Practitioner, child and their adult, there is a group intervention which is amazing for schools and residential settings. It is an adaptation of Theraplay® and can involve the children’s primary caregivers or can be for the children and group leaders alone.
Training in Theraplay® is appropriate for anyone who works with children, young people and/or their families. Those wishing to train in Theraplay should be attached to a regulating body such as a school or social work England or be registered with the HCPC or BAPT.
Upcoming training with ASK Psychology
ASK Psychology are hosting a Level 1 and Group Theraplay® Training. The training is intensive, interactive, physical and fun! We have a few spaces left!
The training will be facilitated by myself and Dr Helen Rodwell, Clinical Psychologist.
The course will help deepen understanding of the principles of Theraplay® through a series of activities and techniques that encourage bonding and communication.
Strategies for caregivers will also be developed so that they are able to continue supporting the child’s development outside of therapy sessions.
Please note that Theraplay Level 1, Level 2 or Group Training does not qualify you to provide ‘Theraplay’ but will enable you to use ‘Theraplay-informed’ principles and ideas in your professional practice.
Theraplay with ASK: Testimonials
“Amelia is so open and willing to share her experience of starting to use Theraplay”
“Amelia is so passionate about this intervention and that made the training really worthwhile and inspiring”
Words used by delegates to describe recent Theraplay training:
Educational *Joyful *Inspiring *Relevant *Hopeful *Informative *Amazing *Exciting *Challenging
Our next training event will take place in Newcastle-upon-Tyne from 25 November-29 November 2024 and there are a limited number of places still available.
For more information, check out our training page or drop us a line at ask@askpsychology.uk
