Play therapist — Harriet Kirby 

After graduating with a degree in psychology, Harriet studied for a postgraduate certificate (PGCert) in therapeutic play skills and a postgraduate diploma (PGDip) in play therapy at Leeds Beckett. She now works as a play therapist

How did you get your job? 

After qualifying I knew that I wanted to work in schools. I joined Child in Mind, who contract therapists in the North West. I've since worked in various schools across Greater Manchester, thriving in the environment while benefiting from a supportive network of therapists.Ìý

What's a typical working day like? 

I run four or five 40-minute sessions daily, setting up my play therapy space, with time between for tidying, and notes.Ìý

Throughout the day, I might: 

• attend multidisciplinary meetings 
• communicate with the school about concerns or updates 
• work on end reports for clients who are finishing their sessions 
• follow up with clients, teachers, and carers to determine if additional sessions are needed or if therapy can conclude.Ìý

The other half of my work is making referrals, which involves: 

• communicating with special educational needs coordinators (SENCos) 
• beginning to contact carers for an interview to gain consent  
• gathering information from school staff.Ìý

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

I enjoy connecting with children in meaningful ways, creating a safe space for expression, and celebrating the small steps in their progress, which may seem minor, but represent huge milestones in a child's development and healing.Ìý 

For some, this might be as simple as: 

• making eye contact 
• sharing a toy 
• putting words to a feeling for the first time.Ìý 

Every session is unique, and I feel privileged to be part of their journey toward healing and self-discovery.Ìý

What are the challenges? 

• Building a solid therapeutic relationship takes time, for some a significant amount.Ìý
• Progress can be slow, you need to be patient and persistent and understand that children work at their own pace. Therapy should never be rushed.  
• Some children can become overly attached, and balancing a therapeutic relationship with clear, professional boundaries can be a challenge.Ìý 
• It can be heavy working closely and intensely with children going through difficulties such as loss and trauma, so self-care and reflection are vital.Ìý 
• Engaging families can be challenging as they may not fully understand the process or they are reluctant to share struggles.Ìý 
• Play therapy is often misunderstood by people outside of the field and this can be frustrating.It is important that I continually advocate for play therapy and its benefits.Ìý

How is your degree relevant? 

My postgraduate degree was specifically for play therapy, and without this I would be unable to practice.Ìý 

My psychology degree has also helped my development, as I already had knowledge of: 

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• child development 
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It also gave me a better understanding of psychological research and evidence, and this has supported my practice.ÌýMy postgraduate degree was specifically for play therapy, and without this I would be unable to practice.Ìý 

My psychology degree has also helped my development, as I already had knowledge of: 

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• child development 
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It also gave me a better understanding of psychological research and evidence, and this has supported my practice.Ìý

How has your role developed and what are your career ambitions? 

After completing my training and placement, I am more confident and independent, trusting my skills and judgment while still valuing guidance and collaboration when working with different children.Ìý

Over time, I've grown more confident in explaining play therapy's value, tailoring my approach to each child, and celebrating small progress, which has made me a more patient and resilient practitioner.Ìý

I am always developing my learning and expertise, especially around: 

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• special educational needs.Ìý

In the future, I would love to develop a platform to share knowledge and guide professionals in supporting children's mental health, using my experience to help children directly and influence the wider systems around them.Ìý

What advice would you give to others wanting to get into this job? 

• Be willing to process, learn and reflect. Play therapy is a journey of constant learning - from training, supervision and reading. You will need to process your experiences and remain open to learning. Self-reflection helps you grow - play therapy can be deeply rewarding but also emotionally challenging, so reflection is important.  
• Self-awareness is important. When something doesn't go as planned, you need to be able to identify what happened, why it happened and how you might approach it differently next time. This improves your skills as a therapist.Ìý
• You need to be understanding. Remember that every child has their own story, and progress often comes in small steps. Approaching each child with patience, empathy, and without judgment allows them to feel safe enough to explore and express themselves.Ìý

Find out more

• Read about the responsibilities of a play therapist.Ìý
• Discover our guidance for a career working with children.Ìý
• Search for a Masters degree in play therapy.Ìý