Welcome to Immram Play Therapy
My name is Mai O’Connor. I am a non-directive play therapist working in a private practice called ‘Immram Play Therapy’ located in Dunkettle, Co. Cork. I am a registered member of the Irish Play Therapy Association.
I work with children experiencing
- Emotional and behavioural difficulties
- Anxiety
- Nightmares and disturbed sleep
- Impulsivity and anger
- Selective mutism
- Family disruptions
- Loss following parental separation or divorce
- Bereavement
- Attachment and relationship difficulties
- Serious ongoing illness of the child or family member
- Self-esteem and confidence issues
- Post traumatic stress issues
- Emotional stress arising from child protection issues
Contact me
Phone: 087 9133361
“I chose the name ‘Immram’ as it means ‘journey of self discovery’, which is the essence of the child’s therapeutic journey. The anchor symbolises the support and safety offered to the child in the play therapy room.”
About Immram Play Therapy
I work from a developmental perspective and provide play therapy for children and young people ranging in age from 3 – 14 years. My approach is child – centred, respecting the child or young person’s ability to make choices and problem solve, leading to control over their activities and interactions within the room.
The atmosphere of the playroom provides a safe place where the child is free to be as they want to be and play out his/her deepest feelings, desires or fears. The child sets the agenda in the playroom with his/her safety always paramount. Through my responses to the child’s actions or feelings, whether through play or discussion, the child grows in awareness and is facilitated in developing greater self-esteem. The child is supported to process difficult and painful feelings, in the safety of the play therapy room.
The child’s journey of self discovery within the playroom usually transfers to their everyday life outside the playroom, promoting healthy emotional and social development.
A little about me…..
I completed my post graduate diploma in Non-Directive Play Therapy in Cork Institute of Technology in 2016. I am also a qualified primary school teacher, graduating from Mary Immaculate College in 1994 and have taught in primary schools in both Limerick and Cork. I achieved a Masters in Education in UCC in 1998. In 2009 I also completed a Diploma in Personal and Executive Life Coaching with the Irish Lifecoaching Institute. In 2006 I was awarded a foundation certificate in Counselling in the Martineau Education Centre in Birmingham, UK.
I have completed a Parent’s Plus Programme for the Early Years with Dr. John Sharry. I am currently working to become an accredited facilitator of this programme with a view to offering it to the wider community.
I regard one of my greatest achievements as being a mother to three wonderful children.
“My Family’s lives have been enriched by meeting Mai….Having previously never heard of play therapy, I have found it to be a wonderful experience for my child. He looks forward to the sessions in the playroom with Mai every week.
Our child’s behaviour has improved greatly….Mai’s follow-up meetings have given us much comfort and support as a family.”
Parents in the Glounthaune area
‘Play Therapy was the most effective therapy we have tried so far. It allowed our child to not only vent her frustrations but to work through them. We now have a child who is happy. It has made an unbelievable difference to her and to the family dynamic. This is all thanks to Mai. We are eternally grateful.’
Parents in the Glanmire area
We can no longer afford to overlook this significant dimension in children’s lives called “play”, which affords such unique opportunities to view the inner world of childhood. We must look with wonder, search with the patience of children. This activity is casually referred to as “play” but it is there that we will find the window to the child’s world.
Garry Landreth & Leslie Perry
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Contact me
Phone: 087 9133361
“I chose the name ‘Immram’ as it means ‘journey of self discovery’, which is the essence of the child’s therapeutic journey. The anchor symbolises the support and safety offered to the child in the play therapy room.”