Mathew Walk-ley

Providing play therapy to support children’s emotional growth, healing, and resilience by creating a safe and supportive space where they can express themselves freely. Through guided play, observation, and creative activities, children explore their feelings, build coping skills, and develop confidence, while caregivers are supported to reinforce positive growth and emotional well-being at home.

I have worked in primary and secondary education, as well as volunteered within the charity sector. I have worked with children and young people, from 3 to 19 years old, with communication, behaviour, attachment difficulties, additional (special educational) needs and those affected by trauma, bereavement, and through working with these children and young people, I have also supported their families as individuals and as a whole. When working with these individuals, their families, and other professionals, I believe it is crucial to be organised and flexible, and to prioritise tasks to facilitate and support the needs and wants of service users.

Throughout the jobs I have undertaken, it has been necessary for me to work independently, identify problems, find solutions, and be an engaging participant in collaborative efforts with professionals and stakeholders. As a result, I can quickly develop and maintain a respectful, trusting, reciprocal and honest relationship with those that I work with. I believe quickly forming good relationships with those I work with and for is crucial to understanding each individual's needs and wants.

Although these relationships must be professional, I believe it is essential to be genuine within them – a fun, friendly, determined, likeable, and motivated individual with whom people feel safe and secure, openly discussing their feelings and emotions. In addition, I am passionate about working holistically with children, young people, and their families, as this approach enables me to support the individual(s) as a practitioner truly.

I have a university Master Degree in mental health plat therapy and a university Master Degree special education (Autism)