Unlock your potential

Hi I am Diane Kirkby.

I have worked with children and families for over 20 years and am based in Clayton West, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.  This location is within close proximity to both Wakefield and Barnsley.

I have a great deal of experience working with children that have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. I have also worked with children that had more complex needs such as trauma, adoption, fostering and attachment difficulties.

Through providing individually tailored therapeutic parenting support I am able to increase the skill levels of parents/carers by working creatively in response to their child's individual needs.

Aspire Play Therapy is an approved Adoption & Special Guardianship Provider.  

I am on the Register of Play and Creative Arts Therapists that has been accredited by The Professional Standards Authority http://www.playtherapyregister.org.uk.  This Authority was created to improve standards and safety for the benefit of the public in general  and children in particular.  This organisation has a strong commitment to high professional standards, enhancing safety and ensuring the delivery of better service standards.  

I am a member of PTUK , working to their code of Ethics http://www.playtherapy.org.uk

I gained my Play Therapy qualification through APAC  http://apac.org.uk

I am registered on the DBS update service.

MY QUALIFICATIONS

Certified Clinical Trauma Professional

Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist

Certified  Practitioner of Therapeutic Play

   Diploma – Play Therapy 

Sleep Talk Consultant

Advanced Holistic Hypnotherapist

Postgraduate in Child Welfare & Safeguarding

Diploma in Social Work (DIPSW)

Play Therapy is a method of helping children with social, emotional and behavior problems to help themselves.  Play is a child’s natural medium of self-expression – it’s essential for development and provides an opportunity to ‘play out’ their problems and feelings, with a therapeutic objective.

 Play therapy can help with difficulties such as

• ADHD
• Autism
• Lack of Confidence
• Anger
• Bullying/Bullied
• Nightmares
• Sleep difficulties
• Trauma
• Social Exclusion
• Withdrawn Personality
• Separated/Divorced Parents
• Communication Problems
• Attachment Issues
• Delayed Development
• Family Relationships

and many other difficulties. 

Some children can find it difficult to recognise  and/or verbally express how they are feeling..  

Play Therapy provides a safe space in which children can explore social, emotional and behavioural difficulties using creative mediums.  It provides a non-judgemental space in which post-trauma can be explored in facilitating positive change.

A trusting relationship is built between the therapist and the child helping them to make sense of their world.  This relationship can help a child's ability to develop healthy and resilient relationships and to work through traumatic experiences.

Diane has been absolutely wonderful.  From the initial stages of the Play Therapy to the final session, Diane clearly explained every step of the way.  My son enjoyed every session and Diane clearly made him feel comfortable and safe during his sessions.  I have seen a positive change in his behavior, confidence and self-esteem, which as a mum is wonderful to see.  Both myself and my son highly recommend Diane as a Play Therapist.  Thank you.

Beatrice (Rehabilitation Coordinator, Medicess)

We employed Diane's services to help with a young trauma patient, who responded positively to their treatment.  This patient made great progress and looked forward to their sessions every week.  Diane is a highly dependable, communicative, and friendly professional who was accommodating to our processes and we would be delighted to work with her again.