Gail Timms - Still Waters
Wellness and Therapeutic Play Practitioner & Trainee MA Play Therapist
"Toys are children's words and play is their language"
Gary L.Landreth
Wellbeing & Therapeutic Play for children
A calm space for children to play, express and be heard.
My name is Gail Timms. I am an experienced children's practitioner with an NVQ Level 3 in the Children and Young People's Workforce, and I am currently undertaking Master's-level training in Practice-Based Play Therapy with PACE and DDP training. I am an experienced Foster Carer with an interest in attachment and trauma, clinically supervised.
I offer play-based emotional well-being support for children who may be experiencing worries, low confidence, friendship difficulties, changes at home or at school, or who would simply benefit from additional emotional support.
Children do not always have the words to explain how they are feeling. Through play, creativity and imagination, they can communicate in a way that feels much more natural.
My approach is warm, child-centred and non-judgemental, giving each child space to explore feelings, recognise their strengths and develop confidence at their own pace.
Currently offering Children's Wellbeing & Therapeutic Play sessions.
Fees for Wellbeing play sessions within school and other supervised environments such a hospital and hospice with a safeguarding team.
£30 per hour, not including parent meetings, interim meetings, and end reports.
£100 Half day would cover 3 clients and includes parent meetings and end reports
£150 Full day, up to 5 clients, including parent meetings and an end report.
Play therapy once qualified
I am a Trainee Play Therapist and am not currently offering an independent qualified Play Therapy service.
Imagine a young child, enveloped in a world of toys, feeling the weight of anxiety lift as they engage in play. The room is filled with colours and possibilities, and for a moment, the child is immersed in a space that is both safe and freeing. This is the transformative power of Play.
Who can be referred?
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Play Therapy is a helpful way to support children over four. It works well because it can be tailored to each child’s needs. Children who have trouble with their emotions or behaviour, especially if it affects daily life, can be referred. This includes children who.
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Are going through changes at home, such as parents separating.
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Struggle with anxiety, low self-esteem, or stress
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Have experienced a loss or bereavement
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Are withdrawn or continually unhappy
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Have a long-term illness
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May find it hard to cope with a disability
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Struggle socially
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Have nightmares or disturbed sleep
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Are adopted, fostered, or are going through this process
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Have experienced trauma or abuse
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Are at risk of being/ are excluded from school
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Are young carers
What are the benefits?
Still Waters Play Therapy helps in many ways, based on each child’s needs. Some children feel more confident or less anxious. Others change their behaviour or get along better with family and friends. As children improve, parents and referrers often notice they are happier.
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Get extra emotional support and experience a steady therapeutic relationship in which their thoughts and feelings are central.
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Have the freedom to explore and express their feelings and experiences in ways that suit them.
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Can process and work through feelings that may have affected their behaviour at school and at home.
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May act out difficult life experiences to make sense of their past and cope with the future.
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May learn to express their feelings in healthy ways.
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Have the chance to be in control, make choices, and take responsibility, which can boost self-esteem and confidence.
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May learn to handle relationships and conflicts more effectively.
What happens?
During therapy, clear boundaries guide the child in caring for themselves, the therapist, and the space. These boundaries help create freedom to play in their own way. When children feel secure, they often express their feelings and experiences through play.
Sometimes, they act out events to better understand and cope with them. The therapist participates in their play, follows their lead, and helps them make sense of their experiences. Rather than asking many questions or judging, the therapist respects each child’s unique journey. In this safe environment, children share feelings, build resilience, and find ways to cope with challenges.
After understanding the therapy process, many ask, how effective is Play Therapy?
We use the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) before and after therapy to assess the child's progress. We also ask for feedback from staff, parents or carers, and the children themselves. After therapy, about 80% of children show positive changes.
