Welcome to Waymaker Therapies
Waymaker Therapies:
⦁ Supports children and young people who are experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties through Play Therapy, Children’s Accelerated Trauma Technique (CATT), and Therapeutic Life Story Work.
⦁ Empowers parents, foster carers, special guardians, and adopters through Therapeutic Parenting with PACE training, and clinical consultation.
⦁ Equips Child and Social Care professionals and school staff through consultation, reflective practice, and clinical supervision.
⦁ Provides trainee and qualified Play Therapists (PTUK) with creative supervision to support their practice.
In all areas expressive arts and reflective techniques are used to safely explore and work through difficult feelings, identify challenges, build a positive sense of self, develop new skills and inner resources, strengthen relationships, and rediscover joy.
The Waymaker Studio
Therapy and consultation sessions take place in the Waymaker Studio, based in a quiet residential area of Torquay. The studio provides a safe and confidential space, that is fully equipped for the range of play and creative arts techniques offered. The room set up is adjusted to suit the needs of the client, which can include outside activities weather permitting.
There is also a small waiting area for parents/carers with tea and coffee facilities.
Jessica Perriss
Hi, I’m Jessica Perriss. I am a Certified Play Therapist and Clinical Supervisor (PTUK), Therapeutic Social Worker, Children’s Assisted Trauma Technique Practitioner, and Therapeutic Life Story Work Practitioner (TLSWi) based in Torquay, South Devon.
I am passionate about …
⦁ Providing opportunities for children and young people to heal, explore, and grow at their own pace, in a safe and creative space.
⦁ Helping children and families break free from painful patterns of trauma.
⦁ Enabling children and families to rediscover joy in their relationships.
⦁ Supporting professionals to develop new skills, identify new perspectives, and create a deeper sense of wellbeing.
Experience
I have over 20 years’ experience of working with Cared For and Adopted children and young people, and families who have experienced traumatic early life experiences and have complex needs.
I have worked as a Play Therapist and Therapeutic Social Worker within Children’s Services in Adoption, Looked After Children and Fostering teams, as well as being commissioned by local authorities in private practice.
I specialise in trauma and attachment and deliver services to address the impact of adverse childhood experiences that have resulted in developmental trauma / Complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Prior to training as a therapist, I worked as a statutory social worker for Looked After Children. I also have previous experience in working with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children; project management; residential work and youth work.
Therapeutic Approach
I use an integrated creative approach tailored according to the child or young person’s assessed needs. A Play Therapy or Therapeutic Life Story Work intervention may be adjusted to incorporate Children’s Accelerated Trauma Technique, sensory processing and bodily awareness activities, principles of Dyadic Developmental Psychology (DDP and PACE), or speech and language games, according to the agreed therapeutic plan.
Qualifications & Registration
⦁ Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Based Play Therapy
⦁ Post qualifying Certificate in Clinical Supervision (PTUK).
⦁ B.A. (Hons.) Social Work
⦁ B.A. (Hons.) Drama
⦁ Certificate in Children’s Accelerated Trauma Technique
⦁ Advanced Certificate in Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSWi)
⦁ Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) Level Two
⦁ Certificate in Nonviolent Resistance (NVR)
My additional training includes: Child Protection; Sandtray Therapy; Sensory Processing and Bodily Awareness; Filial Play Coaching; Signs of Safety; Speech and Language; Mental Health First Aid; Restorative Practice; Reducing Parental Conflict; Thrive.
I am a member of Play Therapy UK (PTUK) and am on the PTUK Register of Play and Creative Arts Therapists (registration number: 20097189) accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) for Health and Social Care: an independent body accountable to the Government. The PTUK Register of Play and Creative Arts Therapists is a public record of therapists who have met standards in training, supervision, continuing professional development and a commitment to work to PTUK’s ethical framework.
I am also a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England (registration number: SW63855) the independent public protection body and specialist regulator for social workers in England.
I am also a qualified Therapeutic Life Story Work Practitioner and registered member of Therapeutic Life Story Work International (TLSWi).
I have full indemnity and public liability insurance, am fully DBS checked, and comply with GDPR (General Data Protection Policy Regulations).
I am clinically supervised by two exceptional supervisors who have contributed to my knowledge from their years of experience in Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Gestalt Therapy and EMDR. In addition, I engage in annual CPD training to deepen my knowledge and ensure the safety and effectiveness of my practice.
