Zoe Wakeman Therapy
Zoe Wakeman Therapy: Empowering Children and their Grown-ups!
Zoe is a qualified play therapist, appearing on PTUK's Register of Play and Creative Arts Therapies. Also a certified TraumaPlay Therapist and including DDP principles in her practice, Zoe has a strong focus on creating a safe environment and therapeutic relationship which enables children to explore the difficult parts of their story and protective strategies they have developed, as they are ready to. Zoe has a strong focus on the attachment relationship and sees the importance of not only working with the child, but also their parents and caregivers, supporting the grown-ups to gain a better understanding of the children in their care and empowering them to become the nurturers, safe bosses and storykeepers that their children need them to be.
About Zoe
Who am I?
What do other people say?
What should you expect?
I live in the Solihull area with my husband, two children, dog and two cats! I have worked with children and families for over 10 years, prior to that working in Corporate environments. I started my Play Therapy journey with PTUK in 2019 and have continued to follow my passion for working with not only the children, but the grown-ups a
I live in the Solihull area with my husband, two children, dog and two cats! I have worked with children and families for over 10 years, prior to that working in Corporate environments. I started my Play Therapy journey with PTUK in 2019 and have continued to follow my passion for working with not only the children, but the grown-ups around them, aiming to become a voice for the child, helping them make sense of the protective strategies that they have developed to get their needs met. My continuous professional development focusses on the impacts of trauma, the attachment relationship and working with parents/carers. I am a Certified TraumaPlay Therapist and have completed Dyadic Development Psychotherapy (DDP), both Level One and Two, enabling me to incorporate DDP principles into my practice. I attend regular supervision for both my Play Therapy and DDP skills, ensuring that I continue to reflect on my clients' and my own processes. I am registered with PTUK's Register of Play and Creative Arts Therapies. I use an integrated, flexible approach to my therapeutic interventions, moving with the child, meeting them where they are at and using every opportunity to be therapeutic and have meaning.
What should you expect?
What do other people say?
What should you expect?
Following an initial conversation and/or referral, I will organise an initial consultation meeting with you, the parents/carers. This is an opportunity to find out some background information and explore the behaviours that give rise for concern. As part of this initial consultation, I will ask parent/carers and school if appropriate, t
Following an initial conversation and/or referral, I will organise an initial consultation meeting with you, the parents/carers. This is an opportunity to find out some background information and explore the behaviours that give rise for concern. As part of this initial consultation, I will ask parent/carers and school if appropriate, to complete a SDQ (John Goodman's Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire) which will be used as a measuring tool throughout the episode of therapy. This initial meeting is also a good opportunity to answer any questions you may have about the process.
Following this, it is likely that I will work with the child alone first for 6 sessions, this will be followed by a parent session only, followed by a further 4 - 6 child only sessions, followed by a parent session. Depending on the initial consultation meeting, I may suggest a number of parent sessions prior to starting with the child. At the parent sessions, we will review the progress of the sessions as well as exploring how I can support you in your parenting journey. I would usually work with a child for a minimum of 20 sessions. As sessions progress, where it feels that it would be helpful to have sessions with the child and parent/carer together, I will invite you into the sessions for us to all work together. This may also be the case if it is decided that it would be beneficial to bring a sibling group together.
Sessions are held weekly and for 45 minutes. A suitable day/time to be agreed prior to sessions commencing. Sessions can take place at school, home or at a local centre. I am based in the Midlands and so fairly flexible on location. I also work out of a therapy centre in Lutterworth on a Wednesday and Friday morning. More information can be found at Treehouse Creativity and Wellbeing | Child therapy | Manor House | Market Street | Lutterworth
I use an integrated, flexible model, working both indirectly and directly as required. I use a toolkit including sand, clay, storytelling, creative visualisation, games, drama and roleplay, music, arts and crafts, outside play, messy play......anything that myself and the client find that works to do the important work we need to do!
The most important thing for me is relationship, the therapeutic relationship with the child and their parents/caregivers, the relationship between the child and their grown-ups and the relationship between the child and themselves!
I work very openly and honestly. I can be contacted between sessions by email and I will always do my best to respond without too much delay!
My priority is always safety, when a child feels safe, they are capable of wonderful things!
Ending the therapeutic relationship should be a positive experience and therefore, when it is time to end, I would ask that we give at least two or three sessions' notice which enables us to prepare for a meaningful ending and all that that brings.
What do other people say?
What do other people say?
What do other people say?
I am always very grateful to receive feedback to hear how you have found the experience and what I can do to improve my service. Please find here some feedback I have received.....
"We came to the Treehouse to see Zoe for our son and he had play therapy, which I have to say has helped him greatly. He is so much more confident in himself
I am always very grateful to receive feedback to hear how you have found the experience and what I can do to improve my service. Please find here some feedback I have received.....
"We came to the Treehouse to see Zoe for our son and he had play therapy, which I have to say has helped him greatly. He is so much more confident in himself and happy to try things he never would before. Thank you for everything".
“When I booked with Zoe for my 7 year old son play therapy session, I didn’t know what to expect. We had never done anything like this before. Zoe was amazing. She was warm, friendly and welcoming. My son LOVED seeing her. She lets children be themselves and with this freedom comes healing, in every aspect of the word. I have recommended Zoe to everyone! Thank you for all that you have done for us.”
Hannah Poulton.
"Ours son's time with Zoe has been nothing less than transformative. He has grown in confidence in making his needs known, expressing himself clearly and appropriately, and his peer relationships have flourished. We are so grateful for the support Zoe has given our son, and also us. I would highly recommend Zoe to anyone who feels a little lost in their parenting journey."
Other services
One-Off Parent Sessions
Training for Schools/Professionals
One-Off Parent Sessions
Got something on your mind that you want to chat about and explore further.....maybe a child's particular behaviour you are concerned about, or big event coming up you are not sure how to approach with them....maybe you just don't know what else to try....feel free to pick my brains...contact me for a one-off appointment either via Teams or face to face.
Parent Groups
Training for Schools/Professionals
One-Off Parent Sessions
Bringing parents/carers together can be a great support and help us feel we are not alone. I am able to run parent workshops on one-off topics or for a period of 6 weeks delving a little deeper into the struggles of parenting. If you wish to attend, please keep an eye on my website for dates, or contact me to find out more.
Training for Schools/Professionals
Training for Schools/Professionals
Training for Schools/Professionals
I am passionate about working with all grown-ups around the child. I am able to support teaching professionals via conversations about a particular child, or running trainings/workshops for professionals working with children on subjects such as trauma, attachment, working with difficult behaviours. If you are looking to understand the
I am passionate about working with all grown-ups around the child. I am able to support teaching professionals via conversations about a particular child, or running trainings/workshops for professionals working with children on subjects such as trauma, attachment, working with difficult behaviours. If you are looking to understand the children in your care more, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Keep an eye out!
Training for Schools/Professionals
Training for Schools/Professionals
I will be adding further pages of my website in due course which will share useful trainings I have been on, books I have read and generally a hub to share anything I feel might be useful for you.