Nina Tilstone
Training, qualifications and experience
After a fulfilling career as a business analyst, I trained as a play therapist and completed my MA in practice based play therapy at Leeds Beckett University, which works together with the Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy (APAC). My research looked at the effects of play therapy in anxiety of neurodivergent children. I am also certified Certified Play and Creative Arts Counsellor of Children and Young People, Registered SandStory Therapist and Certified AutPlay Provider.
I am a member of the The UK Society for Play and Creative Arts Therapies (PTUK) British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. I adhere to both the PTUK and the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
As part of my Continuous Professional Development, I have attended several courses, including Trauma Play with Paris Goodyear-Brown and Working with Children & Young People who Self-Harm by Dr. Sue Jennings. I am currently participating in training on dissociation in children and adolescents with BICTD and Dr Renee P Marks, who is the member and accredited trainer for the ISSTD and chair of the Child and Adolescent Committee of the European Society on Trauma and Dissociation (ESTD).
About the way I work
I use an integrative and holistic approach in play therapy. This enables the children to express their emotions freely, with few limitations, in a non-judgmental and safe environment. I believe in each individual child’s innate ability to overcome life’s challenges and feel privileged to be invited to be part of that journey. I consider my biggest strengths to be my empathy and the ability to tap into the creative and playful side of myself whilst remaining calm and patient with my clients. Therefore, creating a safe and friendly environment of acceptance, permission and trust, where the therapeutic process can happen.