Let me introduce myself
I am Stella Taiwo Play Therapist and Creative Therapist dedicated to your well-being
Promoting children and young people’s mental and emotional well-being is not merely a profession for me it’s my lifelong calling. I have always been passionate about making a positive impact on their lives. My personal and professional experiences have deeply influenced my passion for understanding how the environment, adverse childhood, and life experience can affect someone’s mental health and consequently, their behaviours, feelings, perception, and sense of self.
With nearly two decades of working with vulnerable children and young people, my first and most valuable experience was as a key worker in a foster care unit. Despite their mental and emotional difficulties, I witnessed how access to therapy made it possible for children and young people to process their trauma and build trust with their caregivers. This experience increased my interest in working therapeutically with vulnerable children.
I believe in a person-centered approach to therapy, where each individual’s unique needs, strengths, and experiences guide the therapeutic journey. My sessions are designed to create a safe, nurturing space where children and young people can express themselves and work through their challenges, using play and other creative means.
As someone with dual nationality, born and raised in Italy to Nigerian parents, and now living in the UK, one of my main priorities is creating a more inclusive and effective treatment environment that respects and values the diverse experiences of the clients. I understand the importance of being sensitive and responsive to the cultural contexts of the individuals and families I work with, which allows me to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.
I have extensive experience working with Looked After Children (LAC) and alongside adoption agencies. In addition to my private practice, I work with charity organizations such as Place2Be and the Catholic Children’s Society, providing counselling and creative therapies in schools. Over the past years, I have also offered creative based therapy to young adults. Using creativity has been very beneficial as an alternative to traditional talking therapy for many of my clients.
Therapeutic Interventions
Play Therapy
Child-Centred Play Therapy is a therapeutic approach that allows children to use play as a natural medium of communication and self expression. It is non-directive, meaning that I follow the child’s lead in their therapeutic process. Through play, children can express feelings and experiences they may not be able to articulate verbally, helping them overcome emotional and psychological challenges.
Therapeutic Life Story Work
Therapeutic life story work is used mainly with children and young people who have experienced trauma, loss, or significant life changes. Therapeutic life story work helps individuals make sense of their past experiences by constructing a coherent narrative of their life. Through structured sessions, I guide the individual in exploring their story, emotions, and relationships, often using creative mediums. The process allows the individual to develop a stronger sense of identity and self-worth.
Creative Based Therapy
Suitable for children, young people, and adults, creative based therapy uses creativity to address deep-seated emotional and psychological issues, fostering emotional healing and personal growth. This approach allows individuals to explore and express emotions that may be difficult to articulate through traditional talk therapy. By engaging in these creative processes, individuals can gain new insights into their thoughts and feelings and improve overall well-being. Additionally, it encourages mindfulness and presence, helping individuals to connect with their inner world.
Child Parent Relationship Therapy
CPRT (also called Filial therapy) is a therapeutic approach that empowers parents to become the primary person to promote emotional and behavioural development in their children. In CPRT, I train parents to conduct therapeutic play sessions with their children, fostering a nurturing environment where trust, communication, and emotional understanding can flourish. This process not only aids in resolving specific behavioural issues but also strengthens family bonds and encourages a more harmonious home environment. By promoting empathetic communication and emotional expression, CPRT serves as a powerful tool for healing and growth within families.
In therapy I work with
I have collaborated with children, young people, and their families addressing issues such as:
- Attachment difficulties
- Cognitive additional needs
- Childhood trauma
- Self-harm
- Low mood
- Stress
- Loss
- Behavioural Issues
- Anxiety
- Separation Anxiety
- identity Issues
Qualifications and Trainings
- MA in Play Therapy
- BA in Early Childhood and Pre-adolescence Education Sciences
- Level 6 Certificate in Counselling Supervision
I am also trained in:
- Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT)
- Therapeutic Life Story Work
- Knowledge, Insight , Tools (KIT). A CBT-informed intervention
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for adolescent
Book your free consultation today
I offer interventions in both English and Italian. Feel free to reach out for an initial 15-minute chat , free of charge, with no obligation to continue.
07402135677
- 07402135677
- contact@sere.uk