Zara offers a warm, creative, and supportive therapeutic space where children and adolescents can feel safe to explore their emotions, experiences, and sense of self through play, creativity, and a therapeutic relationship. She believes every child and young person is unique, and that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to therapy. Her work is guided by the individual needs, pace, and strengths of each client.

Therapeutic Approach

Zara works from a humanistic, child-centred, and integrative perspective, with play and creativity at the heart of her therapeutic approach. Play can provide children and young people with a natural way to communicate, express feelings, explore experiences, and make sense of things that may be difficult to put into words.

Zara aims to create a safe and accepting environment where children and adolescents can develop greater self-understanding, explore their emotions, build resilience, and feel genuinely heard and understood.

She also values working collaboratively with parents, caregivers, and other significant adults in a young person’s life. She recognises parents and caregivers as an important source of knowledge about their child. She believes that supporting the wider care system can be an important part of the therapeutic process.

Areas of Support

Zara works with children and adolescents experiencing mild to moderate emotional, behavioural, and adjustment difficulties, including:

● Anxiety, worries, and emotional overwhelm

● Emotional regulation difficulties

● Low self-esteem and confidence

● School-related difficulties and transitions

● Difficulties with relationships and friendships

● Changes within family or home life

● Adjustment to life changes and significant events

● Difficulties expressing or understanding emotions

● Behavioural and emotional challenges

Zara is currently undertaking advanced training in child and adolescent psychotherapy, developing her clinical experience with increasingly complex therapeutic needs. Referrals involving more complex presentations are considered in consultation with her clinical

supervisor, taking into account the individual needs of the young person and Zara’s current level of training and experience.

Background & Training

Zara is currently completing the fourth and final year of her Master’s in Creative Psychotherapy and Play Therapy with The Children’s Therapy Centre. She is a pre-accredited member of the Irish Association of Play Therapy and Psychotherapy (IAPTP) and undertakes her clinical work under ongoing supervision.

Zara also holds a First-Class Honours degree in Drama and Theatre Studies from Trinity College Dublin and is a qualified Special Needs Assistant. Her experience working with children and young people in educational and support settings further informs her understanding of children’s individual needs and the importance of creating environments where they feel safe, accepted, and able to express themselves.

Session Information

Children & Adolescents — €50 per session

Parent/Caregiver Review Sessions — €25 per session