Tracy Louise Giles - Profile

My Role as a Play Therapist:

As a qualified mental health professional, I use play as a powerful therapeutic tool to help children aged 4 to 12 years old explore their emotions, express their thoughts, and address psychological challenges. I have experience providing play therapy in primary school settings, supporting children with neurodiverse needs, including ASD, ADHD, Global Developmental Delay and children experiencing, Anxiety, Low self-esteem, Loss, and Low self-confidence. For the past three years, I have worked with a charitable organisation in Reading, offering specialised therapeutic support to children affected by sexual abuse and harm.

In my role as a play therapist, I collaborate closely with parents and other professionals in the child’s support network to ensure the best possible outcomes. I create a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship with children while maintaining open communication with families and professionals. Through therapeutic play, I help children navigate their emotional landscapes, supporting their mental health and overall development.

Below are the core responsibilities of my role:

Key Responsibilities:

– Assessment: Conduct thorough initial assessments using standardized tools to establish goals in measuring changes in behaviour and evaluating progress.

– Therapeutic Play Sessions: Utilise play-based techniques such as art, storytelling, and imaginative play in a safe environment to facilitate emotional healing and personal growth.

– Individual Therapy: Provide personalized, one-on-one support to help children process emotions, develop coping mechanisms, and work through issues such as trauma and anxiety.

– Parental Involvement: Keep parents informed about their child’s progress, offering guidance and referring them to family therapy when necessary.

– Collaboration: Work closely with teachers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to ensure comprehensive care, including participating in multidisciplinary meetings.

– Record Keeping: Maintain detailed records of therapy sessions and prepare reports for parents, schools, and other relevant parties.

– Professional Development: Continuously update my knowledge in child psychology and play therapy by engaging in ongoing training, workshops, and professional development opportunities.

I have dedicated 25 years to working with children in various professional roles, ultimately finding a deeply rewarding career supporting children experiencing psychological difficulties and distress.

I earned a BA in Therapeutic Psychology from Roehampton University, London, where I gained skills in building supportive working relationships and creating welcoming environments. This foundation has informed my work in understanding mental health care provision and developing skills in psychotherapy. I developed expertise as an informed helper, focusing on safety, trust, communication, power, authority, inclusion, and the importance of feeling heard.

After building a strong foundation in psychology and therapy, I completed a Master’s in Play Therapy. My training focused on essential concepts like playfulness, empowerment, and choice. I developed skills in establishing therapeutic relationships within clear boundaries and gained competence in making referrals, assessments, and providing interventions. I plan and facilitate child-centred play therapy sessions, focussing on respecting individual and cultural differences and viewing them as valuable resources through a creative lens.

As a registered member of the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT), my clinical practice is rigorously supervised to ensure adherence to ethical standards and high professional expectations. I also maintain up-to-date Professional Civil Liability Insurance, covering my work in the private sector.