Hello! Welcome to Playing To Be, a brand new mental health and wellbeing service for children in the Skipton area (and further afield) run by me, Patricia Stienstra. This moment seems a good time to reflect on what it feels like to step into new territory and sail into uncharted waters…

Starting my play therapy business is an exciting yet also a scary thing to do. I know the services I offer can (and do) make a positive difference to children and their families; I believe in the power of play and I believe in what I do. So my excitement is linked to feeling confident about these things. But with the unknown territory comes uncertainty, and this can be uncomfortable. Presenting Playing To Be to the world feels a little bit like inviting a big spotlight to shine a powerful light on myself and what I do. The image of someone standing on an empty stage with an auditorium full of people staring at her springs to mind. Not so comfortable at all! Who would willingly enter a space like that, where you’re guaranteed to feel vulnerable and uncertain, and perhaps even disconnected and scared? 

As a Play Therapist, I never lose sight of the fact that this could be how a child feels about going to Play Therapy. The child might be full of questions (Who is this woman? Why am I here? Do I need to do anything? What if I do it wrong?), and they could be feeling anxious and fearful about the uncertainty of it all. Their parent(s) or caregivers will be experiencing worries and uncertainties too, and this is on top of the actual reason for referral. These feelings are understandable and also normal. That’s why, when contacted by a parent, I am happy to offer a free initial chat, answer any questions and discuss if and how Play Therapy might be of benefit to their child. This is followed by a parent meeting, either face to face or on a video call, and soon the parent will begin to feel supported in helping their child with their challenges. 

Connecting with parents and carers, as well as with teachers and SENCO’s before the start of therapy is essential to creating a good foundation for a child’s Play Therapy journey. I will also meet with the child before the actual start of the sessions, so they know who I am. It really isn’t about having a big spotlight making you feel self-conscious and singled-out, on the contrary, it is about connecting with each other, and making our way into the uncharted waters together. 

For a child, the Play Therapy Space is a place where they can simply be themselves, and usually, over the course of their (sometimes many, sometimes not so many) sessions they gradually grow to trust their own power and their inner sense of direction. As a therapist, I am always accepting of a child, exactly as they are, and slowly the child will grow in their self-reliance, because they grow in self-confidence. Of course, the way this manifests is different for every child. But essentially, to a confident child the world seems a friendlier place, a place where they are eager to connect with others, and to pursue their own interests and dreams.  

I really look forward to meeting you at Playing To Be, whoever you are. Please contact me here …, or send me an email on …., to find out how Play Therapy may benefit your child.

I wish for every child to be happy and confident within themselves. Playing To Be Free, Playing To Be Me!

With best wishes, Patricia