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Lucy Rutterford

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About me

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I have been working as a qualified play and creative arts therapist for 3 years. I am passionate about the power of creativity, play and the therapeutic relationship in supporting children and young people.  I also know how hard parenting can feel sometimes, and although my work is with children, I work collaboratively with parents so they feel supported too. My work is rooted in safety, empathy and understanding - and trust for every child's own unique process in therapy.

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I offer a safe space where children and young people can express themselves freely and creatively, no matter how difficult their feelings or behaviour may be. I am inspired by the depth of play therapy and how it supports children to safely express what is sometimes too difficult, confusing, messy, unknown or unspeakable to say in words. And alongside this there is often considerable joy, laughter and a depth of connection. 

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My experience

 

I have worked with children and young people since 2006 in various roles. I hold degrees in Music and Community Justice alongside a Post Qualifying award in Social Work. I worked initially as a Probation Officer, before working with adolescents in Youth Offending Teams in London, then Wiltshire. More recently, I worked as a childminder and then as an independent leader of music classes for children.

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Whilst my career has been varied, a common thread has been a creative, empathic approach and ability to build trust and engage well with others with a range of experiences. What it has taught me is the value of early intervention and giving children support early on with emotional and mental health. I work from a belief that we are all innately creative and I strive to provide a space where children can learn to follow and develop their instinct about what they really need. Children often express a sense of relief at the freedom to just 'be', without judgement or expectation. My approach is integrative which means that I draw on a range of theories in my work. I work at relational depth and very much from the perspective that it is therapeutic relationship that is the most important element, not the physical symbols, toys and materials in my play therapy kit. 

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Qualifications and training

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Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy – 2021

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Diploma in Integrative Sandplay Therapy – Association of Integrative Sandplay Therapists - 2024

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I am partway through a Therapeutic Counselling Diploma which will allow me to offer creative counselling to adults.

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I am registered with BACP (British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists). I am DBS checked and subscribe to the update service. I am fully insured and registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). I undertake regular safeguarding training. I also regularly complete further training (CPD). I am interested in nervous system regulation and how pre-verbal and implicit memories can impact upon relationships and behaviour in the present.