Samantha Stephenson

I am a Certified Play Therapist and Therapeutic Social Worker with many years’ experience working with children and their families.  

I love that play therapy enables children to express and communicate their feelings and experiences through the medium they know best, play.  The play room provides a safe and containing space for children to explore their worries and fears, and simply ‘be’.  An integral part of my practice is the therapeutic relationship, and I am passionate about supporting children to work through their difficulties and express themselves through play and the creative arts.  I work as an Integrative Play Therapist, using non-directive and directive approaches, and have a key interest in the effects of loss and trauma, attachment theory, neurobiology and therapeutic parenting. 

I have worked in a variety of settings including Local Authority Children’s Services, an Adoption Charity and in Schools.  I have experience working with children who are Looked After and Adopted, including completing Life Story Work and supporting foster carers and adoptive parents. 

I am registered on the Play Therapy Register (with Play Therapy UK) which is accredited under the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).  I am also registered with Social Work England.  As a member of PTUK and Social Work England, I adhere to their ethical framework and professional standards. 

My academic background:

I have a BSc (Hons) in Human Psychology (De Montfort University), an MA in Social Work (University of East Anglia), a Post-Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Communication with Children (Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust), a Post-Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play (PTUK), and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy (PTUK).  I am also trained in Life Story Work (through the British Association for Fostering and Adoption, now CoramBAAF).