Why I Do This Work - My Story
Hi I am Glenna, Founder and Owner of As You Are Play and Creative Arts Therapy.
My journey into therapeutic work began long before I became a Play Therapist.
I grew up learning first hand about addiction.
My dad did not realise but he was perfect just as he was. He did not need alcohol.
As a child and young person, I worried deeply about him, like many children, believed that if I loved enough or tried hard enough or if he loved me enough, I could somehow make things better. As I grew older, I came to understand that addiction is far more complex than that. Behind many struggles are experiences of pain, trauma, loss, or unmet emotional needs.
They call it an ACE (adverse childhood experience), I am not sure if I would call it ace but my dad certainly was! And my wonderful mum still is.
Those who know, know how loyal we are to that parent or loved one who is dependant. We want to protect them. I love and miss my dad. He was a great man who had so many qualities, and despite this, his poison of choice was alcohol. Mine? Sugar!
My friend shone despite his mental health struggle
One of my very good friends when I was young was a young man who shone like the brightest star. The adventures we had were legendary! The struggle with his mental health was heartbreaking to watch and, try as I did, I could not 'fix you', and you decided to leave early. The loss was real. He was perfectly imperfect, as we all are, and was always enough. Too young, too bright a star. Missing him always.
Too many; my student, and cousin, I see you, and your families.
We all deserve to live our best lives in peace and happiness.
These experiences led me to see that our mental health has such power over our lives.
Realising that behind our ‘presenting problems’ are our pains, traumas or unmet needs, led me into work supporting adults and young people experiencing homelessness, addiction, and mental health difficulties. I saw how confidence, opportunity, connection, the will, and feeling genuinely valued can transform lives.
Growth and change are possible at any stage of life.
I became increasingly aware that many difficulties adults face have roots in childhood experiences, relationships, and environments. This inspired me to focus my work firstly educating, and on supporting children and young people, helping them develop emotional resilience, self-awareness, confidence, and healthy ways of expressing themselves.
All feelings have value. Joy, sadness, anger, fear, excitement, grief, and worry are all part of being human. When children are given safe, accepting spaces to explore their experiences, they can begin to understand themselves more fully and develop the inner resources needed to thrive.
Next Steps
Get in touch to chat or visit for a free no obligation initial meeting.
As You Are Play and Creative Arts Therapy was Born...
And this is why As You Are Play and Creative Arts Therapy came to be. We are creative, social beings who thrive when the conditions are good enough. In a world that often places enormous pressure on children and young people (and adults!), we need opportunities to create, connect, move, play, explore, be in nature, and simply be as we are.
At the heart of our work at As You Are, is a simple belief: when people are accepted exactly as they are, meaningful change becomes possible. Being accepted is a feeling of belonging and freedom to be as we are.
Because who you are is already enough.
Glenna x
Certified Play Therapist PTUK Membership Number 202104623
She has an outstanding track record of adapting support to individual's needs
"I worked with Glenna for many years while she was a teacher since 2007 and have kept in touch professionally and personally since.
Glenna is a wonderful creative and empathetic teacher able to work with all primary age children. She congruently and empathetically engages with parents, families, and colleagues. She has sound understanding of human development and psychological concepts.
She is extremely professional, maintains appropriate boundaries, and has an outstanding track record of adapting support to individual's needs. She has deep understanding of safeguarding legislation and ability to act independently to safeguard vulnerable adults and children. As a teacher Glenna respected confidentiality, sharing information appropriately inline with school policy and data protection laws. I have no doubt her counselling record keeping is appropriate and a high standard.
Glenna has a talent for bringing play and creativity to even the most reserved adults. I can only describe her ability to bring even the most serious, rigid and distressed people to engage in fun and play as a gift; which she demonstrated as part of her practice as a teacher on all occasions I observed. This extended to encouraging her colleagues to engage in learning through play in professional development days with infectious enthusiasm.
Children and adults warm to her rapidly. She makes connections, builds rapport, and provides psychological safety in all her work. Glenna lives and breathes Roger’s core conditions as part of her being in all aspects of her life. I would not hesitate to refer a client to her services.
Glenna is an invaluable colleague that always brings creative insight and perspective to professional discussions."
Clare Barham, SENDCO and Senior Leadership Team, Cambridgeshire Primary Schools
She talks to them in a lovely way and gains a child's trust
"I have known Glenna for more than 30 years.
Glenna can associate with all kinds of people. I worked with homeless people with Glenna in a day centre, where there was a varied client group, with young and old. She was excellent at empathising with a difficult client group.
She showed compassion and made them feel comfortable in relating their problems to her. She mixed with staff and volunteers both personally and professionally.
Glenna then went on to do teacher training, this is where her vocation really shone. She is wonderful with children, sometimes their parents could pose some sorts of problems, again Glenna proved to empathise with them, so that both parents and their child got the best of her knowledge and teaching.
In both the voluntary sector and employment sector, her personality shines through. She can mix with children and their parents so well. She talks to them in a lovely way and gains a child's trust. Glenna got on really well with other staff and volunteers, she listens to them and gains knowledge from this.
I can honestly say that it's a pleasure working and knowing Glenna."
Marie Leith
Senior Housing Officer
Cambridgeshire
About As You Are
As You Are offers a unique woodland setting where children and families can explore emotions, process experiences, and feel free physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Nestled within approximately five acres of privately owned meadows and woodland in the picturesque Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, our environment provides space, freedom, privacy, and confidentiality in a safe and nurturing setting.
By offering a safe, compassionate, and accepting therapeutic space, children, young people, and families are free to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences openly. We recognise that all emotions have equal value and deserve to be acknowledged, understood, and held with care.
Qualifications, Professional Standards & Memberships
At As You Are Play and Creative Arts Therapy, we are committed to providing safe, ethical, evidence-informed, and professional therapeutic services for children, young people, and families. Our practice is grounded in extensive training, ongoing professional development, and adherence to recognised professional standards.
Qualifications & Training
Academic Qualifications
Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy (Level 7) with Distinction
APAC and Leeds Beckett University
Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills (Level 7) with Distinction
APAC and Leeds Beckett University
Postgraduate Certificate in Education - (PGCE) – Early Years Foundation Stage, Primary Education; Equality, Inclusion and Citizenship (Level 7)
London South Bank University
BA (Hons) Performing Arts
Specialising in Drama in the Community and using drama as a tool for community change with groups in prisons, young offenders' institutions, teenagers, SEND, addiction etc.
Specialist Therapeutic Training
-Filial Therapy – Parent Child Play Therapy – with Turn About Pegasus, Northumberland
-Outdoor Play Therapy Best Practice - with COOPT Ali Chown, Bristol
-Bushcraft Play Therapy – with Wild Hearts CIC, Exeter
Professional Memberships
Accreditation & Safety
-Certified member of Play Therapy UK (PTUK) Membership Number: 202104623
-Member of Therapy Dogs Nationwide team with Mr Curly Wurly since 2017
-ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) registered
-Regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional requirements
-Enhanced DBS Certificate registered with the Update Service
-Up-to-date Safeguarding Training
She has a caring and highly creative approach
"Glenna is a wonderful, kind human being and fantastic therapist. She has a caring and highly creative approach when working with children, enabling them to be the best they can be through storytelling and play. The ‘As You Are’ therapy space is set in beautiful, safe grounds and has the opportunity to support many different kinds of therapy and play. I highly recommend Glenna."
Daniel Thorn
Drama and Media Lead, London High Schools and Celebrant, London
