How the Be Room began
In 2010 three years after graduating as a Primary school Teacher I went on to study Play Therapy with the renowned Children’s Therapy Centre as a means to better understand the emotional needs of my pupils. This was something I felt was missing from my teacher training. Once I began learning about child development and the power of play my whole teaching perspective was transformed. I started weaving my new-found knowledge into the classroom and quickly felt the benefits. I enjoyed my work so much more. I was no longer getting as overwhelmed by behavioral challenges but instead understanding them and responding better. I became a better teacher.
Parenting brought a whole other learning curve to my life! However, having awareness about child development, emotional milestones and the power of play helped me know some of what to expect and how to respond. A bit like knowing what to do when your child has a temperature. Not that I get it right all of the time, far from it but knowledge is power and self-awareness is crucial when parenting
Once I qualified as a Play Therapist in 2012 I took a career break from teaching in Ireland and moved to London with nothing but a promise of a voluntary position as a school based counsellor.
I went on to become a Project Manager of a school based counselling service, with the esteemed organisation Place2Be.
Alongside this work I worked part time as a Special Needs teacher in a different school, incorporating my play therapy insights into this work also.
In 2018 we (myself and my husband) moved home to Ireland and I went on to complete my Masters in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy with a specialism in Play Therapy. I did this while job sharing as special needs teacher in Tipperary and working as a Play Therapist in local family resource centres. It was only after maternity leave I decided to take the plunge and give up my teaching position and focus on my career as a Psychotherapist.
Working as a Psychotherapist and Play therapist I support children, teenagers, parents and teachers for a variety of reasons.
Helping with issues such as anxieties, bereavement, self-harm and suicidal ideation, trauma, behavioural issues and relationship difficulties are common in my work.
In schools I have run relaxation and mindfulness classes and teacher support sessions. Parent support work is part of the therapy process.
However, over the years I have often just supported the parents. They may have come to me seeking therapy for their child to find that with the space to be heard and reflect that therapy is not what was necessary, the parent support was. Where I can support and empower parents and teachers I am thrilled. They are key influences in a child’s life, so I believe supporting them supports so many children in turn.
Therefore, while on maternity leave with my second child I decided to finally begin the work on my vision to create a platform to share easy to digest and implement information on all things play, the brain and emotional wellness.
The Be Room is a place that aims to support and empower parents; teachers and anyone working with or caring for children and young people.