This Little Light of Mine Play Therapy was founded by Mairead McCann, a Certified Play Therapist.
Mairead is committed to providing a warm, safe and confidential therapeutic space for children who are experiencing emotional, behavioural and personal challenges to explore and express any concerns they may have. In play therapy children use art, music, drama, sand, puppets and other play therapy tools as a way of understanding painful and upsetting feelings at both a conscious and unconscious level.
MONDAY
09:00 - 20:00
Tuesday
09:00 - 20:00
Wednesday
09:00 - 20:00
Thursday
09:00 - 20:00
Friday
09:00 - 20:00
SATURDAY
09:00 - 14:00
Play is the child’s natural medium of expression and is essential for their development. Play therapy is a method of helping children with emotional and behavioural problems to help themselves. In the playroom the therapists role is to build a trusting and supportive relationship with the child so that the child feels safe to explore and understand upsetting experiences and feelings. The therapist uses the integrative holistic model of treatment which facilitates both non-directive and directive approaches when necessary, however play therapy is mostly non-directive, that means that each child leads the play in the play therapy room. The play therapy ‘tool kit’ offers a wide range of creative arts media which include but are not limited to: art, clay, puppets, sand, music and movement, drama/role play, sensory play and games.
Play Therapy sessions are 45 minutes in length each week, typically it is recommended that children attend a minimum of 12 sessions. A parental review is held between weeks 8 – 10.
"In play therapy children “not only work through conflicts and difficulties, they also discover hidden strengths”
Mark A. Barnes, Ph.D.
Any child between the age of 4 and 12 can benefit from play therapy if they are facing challenges at home or in school. It facilitates children in making sense of the world, reaching their potential and developing resilience and emotional intelligence. There are many difficulties that may affect children including:
Play is the child’s first language, it is important to every child’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical, creative and language development. Unlike adults, many children cannot or do not want to talk about difficulties, they simply don’t have the words to describe how or what they are feeling. In Play therapy children can choose from a variety or play therapy tools as a way of expressing themselves. Some of the activities may include:
Mairead is passionate about supporting children’s mental health, her aim is to provide a warm, safe and confidential space that will enable each child to connect with their inner light allowing what is unique to them to shine brightly so that they can thrive and reach their full potential.
Mairead trained with the Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy (APAC), accredited by the National University of Ireland, Galway.
Mairead has over 10 years experience working as an SNA and as a social care worker with children with special needs. She has a degree in community development and leadership studies and prior to commencing her training as a play therapist she volunteered with Foroige for 6 years as a leader facilitating a group for young people on the autism spectrum. Mairead also volunteered as a phone line operator with Teen-Line.
Mairead is regularly Garda Vetted and is fully insured. Mairead attends regular clinical supervision to ensure her work maintains the highest professional standards as well as complying with continuous professional development (CPD) requirements. She is registered with Play Therapy Ireland (PTIrl) which are included in the UK’s registrar of Play and Creative Arts Therapists accredited by the PSA (Professional Standards Authority.
Qualifications:
Certificate in Counselling Skills (NUI Maynooth)
Degree in Community Development and Leadership Studies (Carlow IT and An Cosan)
Post Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills (NUI Galway and APAC)
Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy (NUI Galway and APAC)
Certified Pranic Healing Psychotherapy Practitioner