About me…
I am a qualified child counsellor, using the arts to facilitate engagement with the therapeutic process and am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), working in accordance with their ethical framework.
I have worked in schools for over 20 years, initially as a qualified teacher and since 2014 as a child counsellor, working with both primary, secondary and sixth form students. I now run my own home based private practice. Many of my clients have faced challenges such as low self-esteem, anxiety, self-harm, anger, eating disorders, loss and early trauma.
My client-led integrative therapeutic approach, using a mixture of play, art and talking therapy, creates a safe and confidential space for children to process experiences and feelings that may be hard for them to deal with on their own. Building a therapeutic relationship with your child through acceptance, trust, and empathy, will give them the opportunity to share and process their emotions.
I am passionate about working with young people to enable them to thrive.
Qualifications
Diploma in Child Counselling
The Institute for Arts and Therapy in Education 2013-2014
Aiming to bring about therapeutic change with troubled children and work effectively with their experience of trauma, loss and attachment difficulties. All clinical skills underpinned with an in depth understanding of child developmental theory, safeguarding and child protection policies, legal and ethical issues. Involving placements in primary and secondary schools, using the arts to facilitate engagement with the therapeutic process.
Diploma in the Therapeutic and Educational Application of the Arts
The Institute for Arts and Therapy in Education 2012-2013
Adopting frameworks and concepts from Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy, Object Relations and Attachment Theory, Psychoanalysis, Self Psychology and Neurobiology. A years course involving the therapeutic application of Art, Drama/Puppetry, Sculpture/Clay, Poetry, Sandplay, Music and Dance/Movement. Other practical modules include Mental Imagery, Group Dynamics, Therapy Skills, Mask Work and Therapeutic storytelling, including supervised practise of facilitation skills for an Integrative Arts Psychotherapy approach.
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
The University of Exeter 2002-2003
KS2/3 Physical Education Specialist
Bachelor of Science Degree (BSc)
The University of Southampton 1999-2002
Sport and Health Science with Psychological Studies, First Class Honours. Three-year course including units in psychosocial development in childhood and adolescence, personality and individual differences, and psychology in education.
Child and Adolescent Counselling with Bethany La Plain 