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I am passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people. After leaving my native Brazil and my former job in logistics, I moved to England, where I had the opportunity to dedicate myself to my lifelong passion: child psychology. This passion led me to complete a Master's Degree in Play Therapy with distinction at the University of Roehampton in London.

I have been trained in the Child-Centred approach coined by Carl Rogers. I also studied a variety of approaches to play therapy, and I fully believe in working holistically, incorporating not only humanistic but also psychodynamic concepts. I consider the client's unique needs and work ethically to offer what works best for them. I also work closely with attachment theory and the Jungian Analytical Play Therapy approach.

I also hold a qualification in Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), which allows me to support parents in developing healthy relationships with their children. CPRT has many models, including the toddler, pre-adolescent, adoptive families and teacher models. All of them aim to support connection and the development of positive relationships.

My experiences allow me to work psychotherapeutically with children who have suffered preverbal and developmental trauma. I am experienced in working with neurodiversity, behavioural issues, learning needs, neglect, abuse, gender expansiveness, loss and separation and attachment difficulties. I am particularly interested in working with children with severe or terminal health conditions. I work collaboratively with the child's systems (school, family, agencies) because I believe that together, we achieve more and better outcomes for the child. 

My practice is called Playfulminds Grow and is located at the Wellbeing Center in Teddington (TW11).

I offer a complimentary 20-minute phone conversation to discuss your concerns and determine if I am a good fit for your child or family.

In my practice, I offer Play Therapy and Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT).

What is play therapy?

Play therapy is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that utilises play to help children express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a safe and non-threatening environment. While it is primarily used with children due to their often limited verbal skills and understanding of complex emotions, it can be adapted for teenagers, broadening its applicability. Through play, children and young people can communicate their inner world in a way that feels natural to them.

Summary of Play Therapy Outcomes:

Emotional growth: Improved emotional awareness, expression, and regulation.

Behavioural change: Reduction in problematic behaviours and increased self-control.

Social development: Enhanced communication, social skills, and relationships.

Healing from trauma: Processing traumatic experiences and reducing PTSD symptoms.

Personal empowerment: Improved self-esteem, problem-solving skills, and resilience.

Play therapy meets children where they are emotionally and psychologically, helping them process their inner world. It provides children with a safe, supportive environment where they can express their emotions, make sense of past experiences, and learn to cope with challenges through the familiar and comforting medium of play.

What is CPRT?

Parent-Child Relationship Therapy (CPRT) is a practical, evidence-based therapeutic approach focused on improving the relationship between children/adolescents and their parents or caregivers. CPRT is rooted in the principles of play therapy, where parents are trained to engage in therapeutic play with their children to strengthen the parent-child bond, enhance communication, and address emotional or behavioural issues. CPRT can also be adapted for schools, helping teachers interact therapeutically with students. When applied in schools, it is called Child-Teacher Relationship Training.

Before my first session with the child or young person, this is what to expect when you choose to work with me:

What to expect when you choose Playfulminds Grow?

When you choose Playfulminds Grow, you can be assured that you are working with a play therapist who adheres to the Íø±¬ÃÅ and BAPT ethical codes.

After our complimentary 20-minute phone conversation, if we are happy to continue, we will book an initial paid meeting with parents/carers to discuss the situation further and answer any questions. This meeting lasts up to one hour. After this meeting, another paid meeting will be arranged with the parents/carers and the child or young person. This meeting lasts up to one clinical hour, which is 50 minutes.

Following these two meetings, informal consent is obtained, and a contract is signed, with interventions booked every week. They last 50 minutes each. Interventions involve at least 12-16 sessions with the child. There are also review meetings with parents/carers. If your child has 12 sessions, there will be two review meetings, one in the middle of the interventions and one at the end. This number increases depending on the number of play therapy sessions your child attends.

Please note that one of the core principles of play therapy is that the child or young person should not be rushed into the therapeutic process; instead, each intervention is tailored to the individual’s needs. Additionally, a well-thought-out therapeutic ending of play therapy is essential, as stopping play therapy abruptly could bring up past losses for the individual, which can affect their transition.

If you believe this is the right path for your child or young person, please send me a message to book a 20-minute complimentary, non-obligation phone call to discuss it further. 

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