About Me
Marianna Kassai
I am a BACP registered and BAPT accredited Play Therapist. I live in London and work with families in various London boroughs. I have 4 years of experience as a Play Therapist in schools and a private clinic.
I am passionate about making a positive change in the lives of children and their families. Particularly those who experience significant life events that impact on their wellbeing, learning and behaviour.
What do I do
I provide safe and confidential space for children to access their inner resources such as memories, thoughts and feelings suppressed in the subconscious. I guide them to be able to restore these and bring them into the ‘conscious’ through play.
I follow the child’s lead and communicate that I am able to carry those ‘heavy thoughts’ with them. I accept the children as they are and therefore help them develop appreciation for their play as well as themselves.
I am particularly interested in sensory and messy play. As a therapist, being able to contain the mess the child makes, I communicate that I am able to contain the chaos from within and therefore contain their confused emotional experiences.
On the other hand, some children might choose to sit in silence and do art, for example. In this instance, I sit with the child, observe and respond to their nonverbal cues and communicate that I respect and am able to share their silence.
I aim to help children to change perspectives on their challenging life experiences and therefore eliminate suffering related to these. These changes of perspectives later translate into their behaviours and attitudes.
My Story
Prior to focusing my area of expertise to Play and Family Therapy, I have studied Psychology related to Child Education and Wellbeing at University College London and graduated as a Play Therapist at The University of Roehampton.
I have worked in a variety of family and educational settings for over 20 years before I became a therapist.
I am also experienced as:
Preschool teacher in international preschools and nurseries in central Europe and the UK
Direct work with families
Youth Counsellor
With a background of growing up simultaneously within two cultures and a large amount of traveling across the globe, I focus on diversity with an open mind. I have a lifelong commitment to work with culturally diverse families in various circumstances.
