My name is Siobhan Caddell and I am an Associate Play Therapist with Hands On Play Therapy. I trained through the Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy (APAC) and hold a Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills and a Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy, both accredited by Play Therapy UK and Leeds Beckett University. In addition to my work with Hands On Play Therapy, I am the Play Therapist at a school in Slough and I have previously worked as the Play Therapist in schools in Marlow and West London. In all settings I support children in understanding and managing challenging aspects of their lives including; emotional, behavioural or mental health issues, ASD, ADHD, ODD, OCD, low self-esteem, anxiety, bereavement, divorce and separation, visual impairment, non-specific learning disabilities and any additional issues preventing children from feeling accepting of themselves and their ability to realise their full potential.

When my own children were young, I changed career to pursue working with children, as this was what I had always wanted to do.  I held a First-Class BA (Hons) Degree in Humanities, and I went on to complete the Graduate Teacher Program at Reading University.   In my work as a teacher, I was particularly drawn to those children who had become disengaged from education, were unable to regulate their behaviour, or who simply found being in a school environment overwhelming.  I found with consistency, patience and understanding of their individual and specific needs, I was able to effectively connect with children where often others had not been able to.  

This rewarding aspect of teaching led me to specialise in working with children aged 5-18 years through education providers Fresh Start in Education in London and Equal Education in Slough.  In both organisations I provided 1:1 educational and emotional support to children and young adults who were struggling in education, at risk of exclusion, had been temporarily or permanently excluded, school refusers, young offenders, those with emotional or behavioural difficulties, SEN, serious health issues and those who were generally despondent with their young lives.

In both my Play Therapy and teaching work, for twenty years I have supported and mentored children, many of whom are Looked After or Adopted, with managing and understanding their behaviour, emotions and life struggles, developing coping strategies and their potential to strive and achieve, regardless of what has gone before.