Debbie Mills

Based in Ngatea at ‘Debz Space’ I have a private practice called ‘Ripples’: “It takes one session to create that ripple effect” Offering a range of Play Therapies, Youth support and Family Therapy as well as Group work.

My Initial training and qualifications were obtained in the UK, where I lived until I moved to New Zealand in 2003. New Zealand is now the place I call ‘Home’. I have three children, all now teenagers. I live in a rural township, I enjoy hiking, being on the farm and embracing ‘magic time’ with friends and family.

 

I am a trained Nursery Nurse, Hospital Play Specialist, Family Therapist and Group Facilitator with additional training in COPMIA (Children Of Parents with Mental Illness and Addictions), IDT (Interactive Drawing Therapy), As part of my ongoing professional development I am completing my Post Graduate Certificate in Child Centred Play Therapy and have begun my journey on a Graduate Diploma/Masters programme of Therapeutic Child Play.

 

I am currently a provider for Infant Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (ICAMHS) Oranga Tamariki, Ministry of Education, a local school ‘Trauma’ informed school and two NGO.

I am a member of the Hospital Play Therapy Association NZ and the Family Therapy Association NZ

 

For over 30 years, here in NZ and UK I have been offering Specialist Play Therapies, Family Therapy and facilitating groups for Children, Youth and Families affected by Historical Trauma, Physical illness, especially Blood Cancers, Blood Disorders and Immune Deficiency Disorders. Mental Illness, especially Anxiety. Those too that are affected by grief, in relation to parental separation, change and death of a loved one through a Terminal Illness, Suicide or Sudden Death.

 

I was the first community hospital play specialist in the UK supporting children at home to process their cancer diagnosis especially in their palliative and dying stage. I have written a children’s book about the dying process ‘The Birth of a Butterfly’ and have written chapters in nursing reference books on the importance of specialist play.

 

Hospice Waikato (Rainbow Place) brought me over to NZ in 2005 to work as the first Community Hospital Play Specialist within Hospice NZ.

Since then I have worked in many Non-Government Agencies (NGO) extending my knowledge within child/youth mental health, neuro diversity and trauma.

 

Along with a variety of Play Therapies offered I also use Creative and Expressive therapies such as: Clay Therapy • Puppetry • Lego Play • Journaling • Creative Writing • Sand Therapy • Sensory Play • Activities relating to feelings • Story Telling.

 

Enquiries and Referrals can be made at:

 

Debbie Mills: 021 187 1855

 

[email protected]

Contact Me

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 021 187 1855