About me
The beauty within will reveal itself
Hello and Welcome to Play Therapy
My name is Rebecca Fraga and I am a Certified Play and Creative Arts Therapist based in Purley, South London.
I chose to become a Play Therapist whilst working with children and families on an oncology ward. I found children could not talk about their emotions and trauma from medical procedures and treatment. They lacked the words to say and understand what they were feeling. I hoped to actively discover a therapeutic way for children to make sense of their experiences.
‘Toys are used like words for children and play is the language of children. Play is the child’s way of coping with their world’ - Landreth 2012
‘Through play a child releases the feelings and attitudes that have been pushing to get out into the open’ - Axline 1969
Through Play Therapy children can explore and process big emotions for healing.
My belief is children discover their inner strength and resilience through play and creative arts therapy; they can make sense of what has happened, take risks, solve problems and discover their capabilities, therefore raising their self esteem and confidence.
Children can accept difficult parts of themselves through play and make sense of traumatic experiences at their own pace. Whilst alongside a reflective therapist who is non-judgemental and accepts the child as they are.
Through play a child expresses themselves safely, using toys to create distance from their painful experience. A child find’s their inner voice within.
Work
My career started 18 years ago. For the last 9 years I have worked as a Social Worker with a diverse range of children and families. I currently work in the oncology wards of a Hospital providing emotional, financial and practical support to families where a child has oncology treatment. This includes direct work with children and siblings to explore their wishes and feelings.
I created a virtual fathers’ group and established a dads bereavement peer support group to provide a space for dads to express their emotions. I have experience collaborating with parents and children.
I was a Social Worker in a Children with Disabilities Team in a local authority supporting children who experienced abuse and neglect and Looked after Children (LAC), providing care packages and co-ordinating support services.
Previously, I worked in partnership with families of children with complex needs (aged 0-5 years) as a keyworker in a local authority working with multi agency professionals across the community, hospital and school holistically. I have insight into the barriers experienced by disabled children and their families.
Becoming a Certified Play Therapist
I chose to study through Play Therapy UK (PTUK) because of its evidence-based research, validated through clinical outcomes.
I am on the register as a Play and Creative Arts Therapist through the Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy .
I am checked through Disclosure Barring Service (DBS), ICO register data controller and hold professional liability indemnity insurance.
I use an ethical framework from Play Therapy UK for good practice.
I am clinically supervised by an Accredited Play Therapist and Counsellor who is a member of PTUK for quality assurance.
I use supervision to enhance the quality of my therapy and commit to continued professional development.
Play Therapy UK is regulated by the Professional Standards Authority.
Qualifications and Training
-Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy (Level 7), Distinction (Leeds Beckett University)
-Post Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills (Level 6), Merit (Leeds Beckett University)
-Masters in Social Work (Goldsmiths University of London (Level 7)
-Foundation and Intermediate level of Systemic Family Therapy
-Social Anthropology Degree (Hons) (University of Manchester 2:1)(Level 6)
Testimonial
“My child is talking about different emotions. His confidence has improved in class and with relationships. He presented show and tell in class and is speaking with his teacher more. He is more socially aware and emotionally happier. He is now braver at home and is more independent at night.”
Parent of a 7-year-old boy
