Full Cup Play Therapy is for the therapeutic and personal development services of Rachel Winston. N.B. Rachel is currently not taking on any new clients at the moment due to relocation.
Rachel Winston completed her clinical training at Canterbury Christchurch University (UK) and is a registered play & creative arts therapist with Play Therapy International (PTI). She combines elements of art and sand tray therapies and therapeutic storytelling, along with music, dance, drama and puppets as part of her integrative play therapy toolkit. Rachel also offers filial play coaching for parents and caregivers to develop their bond with their child, better attune to their child’s needs and cement clinical work for the long-term wellbeing of the family.
Rachel has experience with a wide range of difficulties and backgrounds in Hong Kong, treating kindergarten and primary-aged children suffering anxiety-related conditions such as selective mutism, trauma and skin disorders. She also works with issues such as depression, trauma, developmental stress, ADHD, ASD, special educational needs and peer difficulties. Her work in Hong Kong schools has given unique insight into barriers to learning and a desire to address the emotional wellbeing of children to reach their full potential. Originally from the UK, Rachel has lived in Hong Kong since 2007.
"Play is our first language and our brains favourite way to learn. Children often can't verbally express themselves emotionally and this can leave teachers, parents and other well meaning grown ups to misunderstand children and feel exasperated! I was one of them until I (re)learnt the language of play and now I see children communicating to us all the time without words. I hope that the articles here help shed some insights into that child in your life who you really need insight on in a lively and informative way."
Qualifications:
BSc Psychology (BPS accredited; University of Leeds)
MA Practiced Based Play Therapy (Leeds Beckett University)
PGCert Child Development
PGDiploma Play Therapy
Licensed Baby Bonding Practitioner
Certified Children's Yoga Teacher (RCYT, Yoga Alliance)
Memberships:
Registered Play Therapist PTUK/PTHK & PTI
Hong Kong Psychological Society (HKPS) Graduate member
International Professional member of the Association of Play Therapy (APT) U.S.A.
Baby Bonding Asia, Licensed practitioner
“Play Therapy has really helped my daughter in many ways. She can now focus for longer than 20 mins which was impossible before. She would get really anxious. The teachers have noticed the difference too. Now she has more confidence. I think working with Rachel in Play Therapy really built up her self esteem and her chronic eczema has improved a lot (which was a big cause of stress and anxiety for her before). She seems much happier and more mature.”
Behind the name...
“Full Cup” represents my aim when working with children. I believe that every child has the inner resources to help themselves and that with safe and therapeutic conditions a child with difficulties can change their perspective from seeing their cup as half empty, to half full to eventually feeling a full cup. Their abundance of inner resourcefulness and self esteem. In Cantonese, “full cup” sounds like “breathe in, breathe out”. Breathing is essential for life and growth. In Play Therapy children get the time and space to pause, reframe and grow.
As a caring professional I also see "Full Cup" as a metaphor for self care. You can't pour from an empty cup. We all each need to take small daily actions to make sure our own needs are being met so that we can better help the amazing children in our lives in a sustainable way without burn out! This is a message I am passionate about conveying again and again to parents and professionals. I've found that us grown ups need a lot of reminding on this one!
Can I be of more service to you?
For Hong Kong based readers who would like more personalised help with a child, I offer Play Therapy services in Hong Kong. See the contact page for more details. If you're outside of Hong Kong, find a registered play therapist in your area by searching the register at http://www.playtherapyregister.org.uk/
I am also available for speaking events, bespoke workshops, guest articles and interviews. Please contact me by email at rachel@fullcupplaytherapy.com or via the contact page.
