Shannan Mulrooney recently spoke with trainer Sarah Rush, delving into her background, experience, and the training she conducts for Canavan Byrne. 

 Sarah has worked with children and families for over thirty years in the early years' sector, in private practice and in social care settings. Sarah's journey began as an educator in a Montessori environment. She then transitioned into training Montessori teachers, which sparked her interest in designing and delivering training programs—an interest she continues to pursue today. Sarah's dedication to helping children led her to pursue a BA in Psychology and later an MA in Play Therapy. 

 Sarah's extensive knowledge and hands-on experience grant her a profound understanding of the needs and challenges faced by vulnerable children and families. She brings a realistic perspective to the practitioner's experience on the ground. 

So, what exactly is Play Therapy? Sarah explains that it involves children entering a dynamic relationship with a trained Play Therapist, where they can express, explore, and make sense of difficult and painful life experiences. Sometimes difficult life experiences are traumatic for children, and they require additional support to resolve and integrate so they can move on.  Using play as the primary means of communication, the child and the Play Therapist undertake Play Therapy sessions in a specially equipped playroom, utilising carefully selected toys and play materials to encourage the expression of feelings and foster healthier behaviours. 

Sarah has led the “Introduction to Play Therapy” webinar with Canavan Byrne since 2020. This two-hour webinar provides participants with a comprehensive overview of Play Therapy illustrated using practical examples of Play Therapy in practice.  Attendees are introduced to the practice skills of Empathic Responding and Understanding and Working with children’s Play Themes.  The webinar can help educators discern whether they wish to pursue training to practice as a Play Therapist and Sarah provides next steps in relation to this.  Additionally, it will inform educators seeking to explore Play Therapy as a therapeutic intervention with young children and help to explain the benefits and process to their parents/carers.   

Sarah also delivers "An Introduction to Trauma Awareness".  This full-day classroom session is delivered with small group numbers to facilitate peer discussion and reflection.  During the conversation, Sarah drew attention to the unfortunate prevalence of childhood trauma and adverse experiences in today's world.  She explained that Early Years Educators play a vital role in supporting and buffering the impact for young children. The course highlights the importance of developing a "trauma-aware" lens to create awareness and empower educators in their roles. Childhood trauma impacts brain development, behaviour, learning ability, and emotional regulation. Sarah emphasises the significance of adults' reactions and how trauma awareness, coupled with a calm and understanding presence, can assist in children's co-regulation. She also highlights how being "alone" with trauma can be more traumatising for children than the traumatic experience itself, underscoring the value of a reliable and trustworthy adult, such as an early years educator, to support children. 

Sarah's passion and enthusiasm for her work shone through throughout the conversation. Drawing from her experience as a Montessori educator, Sarah offers practical advice, tips, and tricks which educators can easily implement with children. These two informative training sessions are designed to empower educators in their roles. Sarah is approachable and eager to address questions and provide additional information to attendees where necessary. 

 To learn more about Sarah’s upcoming courses and to reserve your spot, click on the following links: 

  

"Introduction to Play Therapy": https://www.canavanbyrne.ie/training/detail/introduction-to-play-therapy 

  

"An Introduction to Trauma Awareness": https://www.canavanbyrne.ie/training/detail/an-introduction-to-trauma-awareness