Diana Samuels

Diana Samuels is a qualified Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, Play Therapist and Social Worker. Qualifying as a social worker 25 years ago, she has considerable local authority social work experience in Child and Family teams and Family Placement teams in both the West Midlands and Hertfordshire.

Diana was awarded a Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy by Roehampton University in 2003 and has over 10 years experience working independently as a play therapist in primary and secondary schools and family centres. For the past 3 years Diana worked for a voluntary organisation, combining all of her professional skills to offer assessments, individual psychotherapy (both child and adult), parent-child therapy, parenting support work, social work, advocacy and family work.

Diana has experience of working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families facing challenges including trauma, abuse, domestic violence, divorce, bereavement, anxiety and depression. She has led groups for adolescents and run workshops for social workers, teachers, foster carers, birth parents and adoptive parents on subjects including ‘The Importance of Play’, ‘What is Play Therapy’ and ‘Sand Play’. Additionally she has offered regular consultations to family support workers, teachers and social workers.

Diana’s work integrates creative techniques (such as art and play) with talking therapy, as appropriate for each of her clients. She is currently working in private practice.