About Over The Rainbow Associates Limited
I am trained to provide dyadic developmental psychotherapy (DDP) informed practice and theraplay® informed practice, up to level 2. In addition, I am currently progressing through the theraplay® practicum. More recently, I have been involved in assisting the delivery of training for group theraplay® and theraplay® level one.
I have extensive knowledge and training in developmental trauma and attachment difficulties. I work in a variety of settings including: family homes, residential settings, schools and voluntary agencies.
My last 9 years have been spent working for the local authority adoption and fostering service. Prior to this I have worked in children's safeguarding services, supporting children with autism and adult mental health services, spanning over 14years.
My approach is attachment based and centres around helping families to forge good relationships. I specialise in supporting children experiencing developmental trauma. DDP enables me to work with children and their parents together, creating a safe environment where the child is able make sense of their past experiences , helping to co-create the child's narrative. The parent/s are always present, sharing in this experience, in order that they can fully comprehend what is happening for their child and how best to care for them.
During Theraplay® sessions with families, it is important for children and parents to recreate early nurturing connections that have either been lost, or have simply never been experienced.
Theraplay® allows families to take the time to reconnect, families are carefully navigated through a series of play and games that are specifically tailored to meet the needs of the children. Theraplay® is attachment focused and is used in order to improve relationships, where family members are struggling. Therapaly can also be very helpful in enhancing the opportunity to form good attachments at the start of the adoption process when the child/ren first move to live with their new family.