About Mandy Squires
C.Q.S.W, Diploma in Social Work, Practice Teaching Award in Social Work, Post Graduate Cert Drama and Movement in Therapy, Post Graduate Cert Arts for Change – Creative Arts Therapies for Children and Young People. Current training: Gestalt Psychotherapy – Fundamental, Intermediate and Advanced CPD
I have extensive experience in working with traumatised and vulnerable children and young people and their families. My passion for play based therapy led me towards experiential creative arts therapies training in 2002. These therapeutic approaches had such a powerful and positive impact on my personal and professional development, I have continued to train in creative therapies. Creativity can be a highly effective way to enable understanding and development of relationship with self and others within the therapeutic space and beyond.
I work with children, young people and adults in a variety of settings and with regard to a wide range of complex needs. I facilitate workshops and group therapy for professionals, students, foster carers, adopters, children and young people.
I am a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP), British Association of Social Workers (BASW) and registered with the Care Council for Wales. I am also a qualified Sesame Psyche and Soma Practitioner (Drama and Movement in Therapy)
Philosopy
An important cornerstone of my work is to identify and help develop healthy aspects of my clients. As well as providing a safe, holding container for the exploration of difficult and painful issues and emotions, I aim to promote playfulness, vitality and a sense of hope within the therapeutic space in order to provide opportunities for healing and growth.
I am strongly committed to and abide by the standards of good practice and codes of ethics of my affiliated professional bodies.
Testimonials
“Body and movement work helped me to get out of my head and into my body. I connected with less familiar aspects of myself which was really helpful for my self-development needs.”
“I loved exploring myself creatively. It helped me to realise what it is I love to do and how much better it is for me to make sure that I do these things for the benefit of my health and wellbeing.”
“I felt very safe which gave me the chance to be brave and experiment with being spontaneous. I feel stronger and more brave.”
“I used to think I was rubbish and now I think I’m ok.”
“It has been life changing for me and I understand more because I went to therapy.”
“… thanks for all you have helped me with … and for telling me the truth. I would advise anyone to go to therapy and that feelings are better let out than kept in. Talking and playing helped a lot.”
“This placement would have broken down without your therapy. Now we try to stand back and think before we act. Sometimes he can ask for a hug and help with his feelings now.”
“ I think I understand our child more and I deal with her behaviour differently … she doesn’t press my buttons as much.”
“I try to choose my battles. It doesn’t always work but things are definitely better than they were. We are starting to have more fun.”