My Background
Personal Profile
Hello. I’m Claire. I’ve been working in play since my very first certificate in play when I was age 17 years old, working for Fenland District Council Play Team. We visited outdoor locations offering school holiday play sessions in the most rural villages of Fenland in a little bus with my team.
Since then, I have built upon my skills and understanding of how children grow and develop; from babies to teens, in normal development and for children with physical disabilities and who are neurodivergent. From classroom teaching to nursery ownership, from Forest School to Children’s Centres, my experience until now has been broad and varied.
In 2008 I had a big idea, after reading the book 'Dibs' by Virginia Axline, but it wasn’t until my own children had grown that I began training to become a registered Play Therapist with PTUK. Working with families to improve outcomes for their children has always been my greatest pleasure and privilege.
This website offers families and organisations around Lincolnshire, the opportunity to invest in a child’s future by providing play therapy to help the child become their truest self and reach their potential. It could be through a significant event in your lives, or for an accumulation of difficulty that you’re looking for support. Either way, I can help your family and child to thrive.
I value Virginia Axline's eight principles for non-directive play therapy, these are;
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The therapeutic relationship I build with your child, must be engaging and inviting, providing warmth and rapport at the earliest possible moment
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Your child must be unconditionally accepted by me
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The therapeutic environment I create must be non-judgmental, allowing your child to express emotions freely
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Your child should be allowed to lead the play and I will follow their lead
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I respect your child's ability to solve their own problems
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I do not impose my own interpretations on your child's play
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I will maintain a consistent and reliable presence
Education
2000-2003
Bishop Grosseteste University
BA (hons) Art with Education Studies.
The degree consisted of studio time with multi-disciplinary techniques and mediums including, clay, textiles, glass, print making, painting and drawing. Alongside this I spent 50% of time studying children's art as a specialism and education for children 3-11yrs with placements in primary schools.
2003-2004
Bishop Grosseteste University
PGCE Primary (age 3-7yrs)
This postgraduate certificate in education specialised in children age 3-7yrs and I also studied the development of babies from 0-3yrs.
2024-2026
Chichester University
Post Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play and
Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy
These postgraduate certificates allow me to register with PTUK and use my 20 years of experience to work with children in clinic to provide therapy for emotional difficulties.
