Location: ‘Immram Play Therapy’, Dunkettle, Glanmire, Co.Cork
Telephone: (087) 9133361 Email: mai@immramplaytherapy.ie
Website: www.immramplaytherapy.ie
I invite you to visit my website for visuals of the playroom. “I chose the name ‘Immram’ as it means ‘journey of self discovery’, which is the essence of the child’s therapeutic journey. The anchor symbolises the support and safety offered to the child in the play therapy room.”
Qualifications:
- Post graduate diploma in Non-Directive Play Therapy – Munster Technology University (formerly CIT) 2016.
- Bachelor of Education – Mary Immaculate College (MIC)1994.
- Master’s in Education – University College Cork (UCC) 1998.
- Diploma in Personal and Executive Life Coaching – Irish Life coaching Institute in 2009.
- A Foundation Certificate in Counselling – The Martineau Education Centre in Birmingham, UK in 2006.
Personal Bio:
Mai works from a developmental perspective and provides play therapy for children and young people ranging in age from 3 – 14 years. Mai’s approach is child-centred, respecting the child or young person’s ability to make choices and problem solve, leading to control over their activities and interactions within the room.
The atmosphere of the playroom provides a safe place where the child is free to be as they want to be and play out his/her deepest feelings, desires or fears. The child sets the agenda in the playroom with his/her safety always paramount. Through Mai’s responses to the child’s actions or feelings, whether through play or discussion, the child grows in awareness and is facilitated in developing greater self-esteem. The child is supported to process difficult and painful feelings, in the safety of the play therapy room.
The child’s journey of self-discovery within the playroom usually transfers to their everyday life outside the playroom, promoting healthy emotional and social development. The child’s parent(s)/guardians are an integral part of the play therapy process. Mai works closely with caregivers, facilitating the deeper understanding and support they provide to their child on their unique journey.
Areas of Interest:
I work with children experiencing, emotional and behavioural difficulties, anxiety, nightmares and disturbed sleep, impulsivity and anger, selective mutism, family disruptions, loss following parental separation or divorce, bereavement, attachment and relationship difficulties, serious ongoing illness of the child or family member, self-esteem and confidence issues, post-traumatic stress issues and emotional stress arising from child protection issues
Additional Trainings:
- IICP – ‘Diploma in Integrative Supervision’– (August 2020 – currently in completion)
- Louise Shanagher – ‘Creative Mindfulness for Children Practitioner course’ – (May 2020 – currently in completion)
- Patricia Crettenden – ‘Attachment and Psychopathology introductory course’ (May 21st – 23rd , 2019 – organised by The Bessborough Centre)
- Deb Dana – ‘Looking through the Lens of the Polyvagal Theory’ (May – Aug, 2020 – series of 5 webinars hosted by PCPSI)
- Joanne Dolhanty – ‘Emotion Focused Skills Training’ (clinician workshop) – April 10th & 11th , 2018)
- Bessel van der Kolk – ‘The Body Keeps the Score – Trauma, The Brain and Biology: Foundations and Treatment of Trauma’ ( 29th & 30th June, 2018 – 2 day seminar organised by PCPSI)
- Dan Siegel – ‘Developmental Trauma’ (16th & 17th May, 2017)
- Bruce Perry – Recognising Childhood Trauma – Trauma and Neglect – Impact, Assessment and Intervention (30th Sept, 2016)
- Parent’s Plus Programme for the Early Years with Dr. John Sharry (Nov, 2016)
- Child Law Seminar Series 2016