About We Create Play Therapy
At We Create, we specialise in providing support to children and young people who might be struggling with a variety of challenges like low self esteem, school avoidance, separation anxiety, parental separation and bereavement.
Our team of therapists focuses on using creative techniques and play to address various emotional and behavioural challenges, tailoring each therapy session to the unique needs of every child. We are committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment where children can express their emotions and develop essential skills to help them cope with difficult feelings.
What is Play Therapy and How Does it Work?
Children and young people can sometimes find it difficult to put their feelings and challenges into words. The caring play therapists at We Create can support them to find ways to explore and express those feelings and to manage anything that they might be struggling with.
Play therapy uses a variety of resources and therapeutic tools to support children and young people.
In our dedicated play shed, children and young people can choose from a wide variety of art materials, clay or musical instruments, puppets, sand, games and toys .
One of our therapists will see your child every week for a recommended initial set of twelve sessions.
Each session will last 40 minutes.
Our Team.
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​​Before becoming a therapeutic play practitioner, I worked in a SEN school supporting complex additional needs.
I have worked as a therapeutic play practitioner for over a year and I am excited to be supporting children in local schools and through We Create.
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I have a passion and interest in supporting all children, but especially children who might be experiencing challenges because of special educational needs.
I have been working as a Play Therapist since 2010, supporting children both in schools and in private practice.
I am also a qualified clinical supervisor supporting students and qualified play therapists in their role.
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My passion lies in building relationships with children and seeing their anxiety lessen and their self confidence, resilience and ability to accept themselves and their feelings develop through the use of play.
Charise de Becker
Fears and Phobias in Children:
Halloween is a time where some children’s natural fears or phobias might become heightened or triggered.
Phobias in children are caused by anxiety where adrenaline causes all sorts of changes in their bodies when they come across things or situations which they are afraid of.
When children come across something they are scared of they might experience things like a racing heart, feeling sick, dizziness, a dry mouth or increased sweating.
Parents or carers might notice their children might freeze or try to run away, they might scream, tremble or go pale.
Having fears during childhood is normal and there are certain ages where some fears might be more common.
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For example, between the ages of two and six, children often fear animals, monsters, ghosts, being left alone, loud noises, bedtime (especially the dark) and people they care about dying or being injured.
After the age of six, there tends to be a decrease in irrational fears (such as fears of imagined creatures) but there might be an increase in fears of daily experiences as their friendship groups widen, and they become more aware of events happening in the world.
Children between the ages of eight and twelve often fear social rejection, being criticised, new situations or getting into trouble at school. The might fear being kidnapped, their parents getting divorced or war. Sometimes, the fears might be linked to medical procedures such as injections, getting injured or the sight of blood.
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Most children, with time and the right support, outgrow their fears, but sometimes fears can turn into phobias if the child constantly finds ways to avoid the things they are afraid of or if their fears start to interfere with their normal, daily life.
For example, a child might refuse to go to the park because there might be dogs there which they are afraid of, or they might refuse to go to sleep because of a monster under their bed or they might even refuse to go to school because they are afraid of being criticised.
If a phobia becomes severe enough it can affect a child’s ability to sleep, eat, engage in daily activities like seeing friends or even attending school.
Phobias can bring up many complex emotions for a child because they might also feel embarrassed or ashamed or they might even get angry at themselves for fearing something so much, but unfortunately, they do not have any control over their reactions and responses.
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If you are worried that your child could be struggling with a fear or phobia, there are a few things that you can do to help support your child.
It might help your child to better understand that fears are normal and that everyone has them.
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These might be some good videos to watch together:
Childhood fears: Helping your child with fears and worries - BBC Tiny Happy People
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Good books to read together about fear are: ‘When you are Brave' by Pat Zietlow Miler, or 'Me and my Fear' by Francesca Sanna
The best strategy is to reassure your child, acknowledge how they are feeling and try not to dismiss their fears, even though they might seem irrational.
Sometimes fears can seem more manageable if the child has a chance to act out their fears through games or draw a picture of their fears and this might provide a chance to talk their fears through.
You could also speak to your GP or if you feel the fears and phobias are causing significant problems in your child’s life, the caring team at We Create can support your child to work through their fears and phobias.
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Children's Fears & Phobias - Anxiety Care UK: https://anxietycare.org.uk/phobias/childrens-fears-phobias/
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Supporting Parents to Support their Children
Here at We Create we know that it is hard on the whole family when you have a child or young person who is struggling.
That is why we aim to work with parents, in partnership, to provide tips and tools you can use at home or links to sites where you can get more information.
Follow us on social media to find the tips and tools that can help you help your child!
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS COMING SOON!
Contact Play Therapy Services
Get in touch with us to schedule an initial consultation or to inquire about how we can support you and your child or young person.
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