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About me

As a Dramatherapist, Play Therapist and ASA, rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted in 2014 and 2011, I provide a therapeutic service called “Theatre of Attachment” that focuses on the life history of children age 3-16, in adoptive families and includes parent support. I aim to collaboratively reach a fuller understanding of the often, confusing behaviours of children and young people whose prior experience has taught them not to trust or believe in permanency, and which therefore makes it hard for them to attach securely.

I work in the adoptive home, because this is where children who have had lots of moves tend to feel safer – usually for 10-12 (x 1 hour) weekly sessions, during which parents are fully involved (unless in the case of older children it is agreed they need the privacy of one-one), to enable safe reattachment. I present the life history in a format that the child/young person can relate to, and encourage creative play using sensory materials to explore issues that are affecting their identity and ability to cope also to enable recovery of missed nurture. I encourage children to create stories, which I record for the child to keep. I find this approach encourages children to address difficult feelings, and work through grief until they are able and ready to re-attach securely.

I also deliver training and had books and peer-reviewed articles published.

What does the service provide?

• Advice on the impact of early life experience on relationships, based on research of the neuroscience of child development, trauma and loss.
• The service is tailored to each child or young person’s particular need, in collaboration with adoptive, foster or kinship parents.
• A system for feedback (face-to-face, telephone or email) is agreed with parents.
• An illustrated account of the child’s history is phrased according to age and understanding, usually in language for a child of around 8 years.
• Pre-school children may additionally be given a briefer picture story.
• A Life map, showing where the children lived is drawn on plain fabric and used with toy figures, to show the child what happened and give the child opportunity to talk about what they remember.
• Children are helped to realise that what happened was not their fault. Various material such as water and candles are used to help children to rework memories.
• Creative and sensory materials such as sand, clay, play dough, paint, toys, puppets, dressing up clothes and props are also provided.
• Stories and plays created in the session are recorded and presented to the child in a folder for the child to keep and add to.
• Consultation is available on parenting strategies to manage testing situations, and handouts are available on request, for quick reference.

Age group

All ages are considered, but mainly, children are aged between 3 and 16 years.

Referral criteria

There is an expectation that the children are safe from harm. Parents need to be willing to engage fully with the programme, including joining in child led play.