In Therapeutic Partnership: Dog Assisted Therapy

WHO ARE WE?

Together, with my 2 German Shepherd dogs, we deliver Dog-Assisted Creative Therapy to children between the ages of 4 - 18, to address the need for therapeutic intervention and support in schools and alternative education settings. With a growing level of SEMH and SEND students within mainstream schools, we work with a variety of needs and conditions to assist in improving self-esteem, confidence, awareness, behaviour, attendance and overall school morale.

We combine dog assisted therapy with creative modalities and counselling so that every student is able to access the service, no matter what their preferred method of communication is.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR OUR CLIENTS?

Dog Therapy, or Interacting with a dog may help lower blood pressure, increase the mood-boosting Oxytocin and decrease the stress hormone cortisol.

Many therapists believe a pet or dog in the therapist's office appears to enhance the patient's ability to cope and possibly heighten the individual's sense of safety.

Clients were comforted by the dog, there was a perception of the dog as being accepting and non-judgemental, clients developed a special relationship to the dog, the dog provided a connection to the therapist. (Research by Dr Theresa DePorter, Psychology Today, 25.01.2015)

Sand Play Therapy is a nonverbal, therapeutic intervention that makes use of a sandbox and toy figures to create a scene of miniature worlds that reflect a person's inner thoughts, struggles and concerns.

This is a form of play therapy; other methods include imaginary play with toys and puppets or myths and fables, that uses literature to help a client interpret stories and how they may relate to the client's own difficulties.

Sand play is practiced along with talking therapy, using the sandbox and figures as communication tools. (Psychology Today)

Gestalt Therapy is an approach to psychotherapy that helps clients focus on the present to understand what is actually happening in their lives, at this moment.

Instead of simply talking, clients are often encouraged to engage in intellectual and physical experiences that can include role-playing, re-enactment or artistic exercises like drawing and painting.

In this way clients can learn to become more aware of their thoughts and actions, of how negative thought patterns and behaviours may be blocking their self-awareness and making them unhappy, and how they can change. (Psychology Today)

Who to contact

Contact Name: Victoria Rash

Contact Position: Psychotherapist & Counsellor

Telephone: 07887878737

E-mail: victoriarash@outlook.com

Website: In Therapeutic Partnership: Dog Assisted Therapy

Year Qualified: 2008

HCPC No: AS13266

Client Details: Accepting clients of all ages and abilities

Qualifications:

Drama and Movement Therapy MA

Jungian Psychology Diploma

Gestalt Therapy CPD Accredited Certificate

Psychotherapy & Counselling Level 4 QLS Endorsed Certificate

Play Therapy Level 5 QLS Endorsed Certificate

Animal Assisted Therapy Level 3 CPD Award Certificate

Pets-as-Therapy PAT-2253678

Safeguarding Level 3 Certificate

Enhanced DBS Certificate

Languages Spoken:

English

Age Groups

Specialisms