Parents and Carers are an essential element to the effectiveness of Play Therapy and other child therapies.  This 10 week course will explore the role of parents/carers in supporting their child in Play Therapy.  Engaging with parents/carers is a crucial part of working with children and young people and can be a key contributor to achieving positive outcomes. Working alongside parents/carers whilst their child is in Play Therapy enables us to gain a full picture of their prospective, develop an understanding of their worries and issues, and to have a greater knowledge of the child.  Through working together with parents and carers a holistic approach can be offered to support their child.

It is designed to assist Play Therapists in enhancing their skills, knowledge and confidence when supporting parents and carers during the Play Therapy process.  It will explore the legalities, the role, the parental perspective and the Play Therapist’s understanding from the initial contact through to the ending stage of Play Therapy.   Furthermore, it will look at the complexity of the parent/child/therapist relationship within Play Therapy.  The course will provide a range of resources and techniques for developing positive working relationships with parents and carers, in order to achieve positive outcomes for the family. 

Benefits of this course:

• Understand some of the essential criteria for making initial contact with parents and carers.
• Gain further skills to develop positive relationships with parents and carers.
• Gain a clear understanding of the current research and theory in relation to engaging parents and carers
• Develop the Play Therapist’s skills in setting the foundations of contracting with parents/carers to enhance the effectiveness of the Play Therapy
• Develop a range of skills and techniques to overcome complexities that may arise in the Play Therapy process
• Gain a clearer understanding of confidentiality and conflicts of interest whilst working with parents and carers.

Sonia Murray is a highly experienced BAPT Registered Play Therapist® who has been working with parents/carers in the Play Therapy process for nearly 30 years.  In addition, as a qualified specialist social worker, Sonia has been working with parents/carers individually and in groups providing therapeutic family support.   Sonia will be bringing her wealth of experience and knowledge of working alongside parents and carers to this course. 

 Sonia trains nationally and internationally on topics related to Attachment, Trauma, Play Therapy, understanding behaviour, play, communicating with children, behaviour management, positive parenting.  Her work history includes employment as a childcare Social Worker, parent worker, Play Therapist in Education and Social Care and Health settings. She has worked in a specialist school for children with complex social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Sonia provides consultation, supervision and training in both statutory and voluntary fields of children and Young People's services. Sonia is also a visiting Lecturer at University of Roehampton and University of Northampton.