Individual Therapy - Free2BMe Play Therapy

Free2BMe Play Therapy

Free2BMe Play Therapy

Therapeutic Journeys
"Working with Maaike has been absolutely miraculous for my teenager who was previously self harming, having frequent suicidal ideation, not sleeping or washing and completely unable to participate in the world. She is now able to go out (with support), make friends, and has goals and aspirations for the future. Her outlook now is really positive and I am so thankful we found Maaike. They have a wonderful connection and she often tells me that Maaike is the only person she knows who has never said the wrong thing to her. Praise indeed!"

Play & Creative Arts Therapy
Autplay
CATT
Minecraft
Integrative Play & Creative Arts Therapy
For ages 3 - 18 (25 for young people with Special Educational Needs)
Why Play and Creative Arts Therapy?
Playing & being creative is how we make sense of ourselves and the world. From squishing food as toddlers to bonding over board games as adults, play shapes our relationships, emotions, and resilience. Play and Creative Arts Therapies harness this natural healing process, offering a safe space for young people of all ages to express their feelings, rebuild trust, and reclaim joy without needing to find the words.
For Every Age, Every Story
From sensory play for nonverbal trauma to using objects to represent how we feel, Play Therapy adapts to each person’s needs. With clear boundaries and deep respect, we guide unsafe expressions (aggression, self-harm) into creative, regulated outlets.
How Play and Creative Arts Therapy Helps
Rediscovering Safety & Self: Traumatic or overwhelming experiences can be explored through sand, art, or role-play—gentler ways to "speak" when words cannot be found.
Repairing Relationships: Play builds connections faster, fostering security and empathy.
Organising Chaos: A storm of emotions can be tamed through play and creativity—puppets, painting, storms in a tray, or movement help make sense of the unspeakable.
Reclaiming Lost Stages: Trauma in the early years means that a return to these play stages may be needed. Teens might rock with a baby bottle; children replay sensory experiences—all welcomed without shame.
Healing the Brain: Play releases joy chemicals, reduces stress, and rewires neural pathways, restoring natural resilience.
Autplay
Autplay® is a neurodivergent-affirming play therapy approach designed to support autistic, ADHD, and PDA children and teens. Unlike traditional models, it honors neurodivergent communication styles, sensory needs, and emotional expression—meeting the child where they are, not where others expect them to be.
Key Features of Autplay®:
Child-Led & Sensory-Friendly: Sessions prioritise the child’s unique interests (e.g., special interests, movement-based play) to build safety and engagement.
Regulation-First: Uses play to co-regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and strengthen emotional resilience—without forced social scripts.
Trauma-Informed: Recognises how neurodivergent experiences (e.g., masking, sensory overwhelm) can compound trauma, and gently addresses these layers.
Family-Centered: Includes parents/caregivers in the process, offering tools to strengthen connections through play at home.
Why I trained in Autplay®:
As a neurodivergent therapist and parent, I’ve seen how conventional therapies can often fail to meet the needs of neurodivergent young people. It is important to provide space and opportunity for young people to explore and disentangle their neurodivergent experiences from their trauma experiences. Being neurodivergent does not need to be distressing and neither do they need to be changed or fixed. They just need space and opportunity to strengthen their sense of themselves, their needs and how they process their feelings and experiences. Autplay® aligns with my that therapy is not about “fixing” but understanding, helping young people to thrive on their own terms.
Child-Accelerated Trauma Technique
CATT is a gentle, play-based trauma therapy designed to help children process overwhelming experiences without retraumatization. It blends elements of EMDR, somatic therapy, and play to release traumatic stress stored in the body and mind—at the child’s own pace.
How CATT Works:
Safety First: Uses play, movement, and creativity to build trust before addressing trauma.
Body-Aware: Helps children notice and regulate physical sensations (e.g., "butterflies in tummy") linked to trauma.
Bilateral Play: Incorporates rhythmic left-right activities (drawing, drumming, ball games) to mimic EMDR’s brain-processing benefits—without direct recall of traumatic events.
Child-Led: Follows the child’s natural play language (e.g., puppets, sand, art) to gently "unstick" traumatic memories.
Why I Use CATT:
CATT is a way to directly address symptoms of PTSD, for example when a young person is frequently and uncontrollably reactive to certain sounds, smells or experiences, or has nightmares. It’s especially powerful for single incident trauma such as a car accident. I may use it as part of the Play Therapy process or as 12-session intervention on its own.
Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool
Trained to use Minecraft as a therapeutic tool, I can use this medium to support children and young people to overcome barriers to accessing therapy. Although it lacks the multi-sensory benefits of traditional Play and Creative Arts Therapy, it does allow for connection and self-expression through play and can reduce the anxiety of direct contact.
I have two tablets in my play therapy room so that I can play alongside young people. I can offer this remotely if the young person cannot attend my playroom and can access Minecraft Bedrock at home or school.
I do not offer Minecraft in Play Therapy without first discussing this with parents and carers.
Below is a video created by my trainer, Ellie Finch, outlining the benefits of using Minecraft in therapy.
How Play Therapy Works
Understanding the Process

1
Connect
We start by building a trusting relationship with your child, creating a safe space for them to express themselves.
2
Engage
Through play, children communicate their feelings and experiences, helping us understand their unique challenges.
3
Heal
As they play, we guide them in developing coping skills and emotional resilience to navigate their world more effectively.