ABOUT ME

 

My name is Ellie Pain and I hold a MA in Play Therapy from the University of Roehampton. I am an accredited member of the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT). This means I have extensive training in areas such as developmental trauma, child development and attachment (the bonding process between child and significant carer/s), receive regular clinical supervision and hold an up to date DBS. I have over 12 years experience working with young children and their families.

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I work individually with children, supporting them to explore and make sense of (reintegrate) difficult life experiences/ emotions. I also work with families, using Theraplay informed and attachment-based techniques.

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I have experience working in adoption, long and short-term foster care, bereavement, neglect (emotional/physical), abuse (emotional/physical), developmental trauma, divorce, separation and attachment. I have also worked with anxious speakers (selective mutism), global developmental delay and autism. In some cases I have worked with children who are struggling to adjust to the arrival of a new sibling or the transition into a new class/school.

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An integral part of my work involves the parents/carers, families and other significant adults in a child's life (e.g. support staff at school, teachers etc.). I have established and maintained positive and effective relationships with the children and families I have worked with as well as with the staff within the organisations I have been based at.

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​I adhere to the strict rules set out by the British Association of Play Therapists. For more information please see www.bapt.info

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How do I work? What does a play therapist do?

As well as being extensively trained in child development, I am also trained to use play, a child’s natural form of expression, as a channel for understanding and communicating with children about feelings, thoughts and behaviour.

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Prior to commencing Play Therapy with a child, I will carefully review a child’s history and any difficulties they have experienced in order to help the child make sense of their experiences.

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I will listen to concerns that parents/primary carers have about a child and may also seek information from their school and other significant adults in their lives. An assessment will be made of a child’s strengths as well as their difficulties. Many parents/primary carers have questions about Play Therapy and about how to talk to their child/ren about Play Therapy. I maintain open communication throughout an intervention and support parents/carers to find ways to talk to their child/ren about Play Therapy.

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I work both independently or as part of a team and may suggest other areas of support for the child or the wider family where appropriate.

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Confidentiality

Confidentiality is important in order for a child to feel safe enough to explore/express troubling experiences and/or feelings, but I do hold regular reviews with parents/carers. Reviews are used to communicate significant themes and/or changes that occur in sessions as well as to hear from parents/carers about how a child is managing in other areas of their lives.