Psychology, Parents & Play

Short Description and chapters

In this episode of Self Matters, host Charlie Wells interviews Laura Hanks, a specialist in play therapy and senior lecturer at the University of South Wales. Laura shares her journey into play and filial therapy, walking us through how her early career experiences in social care and psychology shaped her career. Learn more about the principles and benefits of play therapy, its applications for children with various difficulties, and the importance of involving family systems in therapy. Laura also discusses an exciting new project that she is involved with as part of her role as a board member of Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH) as well as her efforts in educating future play therapists. She advocates for more trained therapists and better support for parents and siblings of children with mental health issues.

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00:00 Introduction to Self Matters Podcast00:07 Meet Laura Hanks: Play Therapy Specialist

00:33 Laura's Journey into Play Therapy

03:55 Understanding Play Therapy

09:09 Applications and Effectiveness of Play Therapy

10:33 Outcome Measures in Play Therapy

12:23 The Role of Family

16:48 Challenges and Future of CAMHS Education

18:41 ACAMH and Disseminating Best Practices

21:41 Balancing Professional and Personal Life

22:52 Final Thoughts

People in this episode

Host

Charlie Wells

Charlie Wells is Founder & CEO of HelloSelf. He is dedicated to improve mental wellbeing for all. After a life-altering brain haemorrhage in 2011, he embraced a second chance at life, prioritising personal wellbeing and positive impact.

Inspired by this journey, HelloSelf, the company behind the Self Matters podcast, was born to address the growing demand for mental health services.

Main guest

Mrs Laura Hanks

Laura Hanks is a senior lecturer at the University of South Wales, teaching on the MSc Play Therapy which is a British Association of Play Therapists accredited course. Laura is passionate about mental health services to children and adolescents and believes that effective services are multidisciplinary; and involve the significant people in children's lives. She has experience of working in a range of settings, including with children in public and private law proceedings, and in a supervisory and consultancy capacity. Laura is a board member for the Association for Child and Mental Health (www.acamh.org) where the primary mission is disseminating research and evidence to support best practice for multidisciplinary professionals and caregivers with an interest in mental health.