Pioneering Child-Centered Play Therapy in NZ
The story of ChildPlayWorks.
How it all began…
Judi Jacobsen & Megan Longman, Co-Founders of ChildPlayWorks, have been part of pioneering a very significant modality of therapy for our tamariki.
You can read their story here
Judi & Megan in a CCPT playroom
The birth of ChildPlayWorks
In 2007, Judi moved to a remote farm and she made her own simple website to let others know she was available for work. She also set up ChildPlayWorks Ltd.
As word got out about Judi’s CCPT work, people began to request training workshops, as nothing was available in NZ. Megan and Judi got their heads together and created an introductory 2-day workshop (Module 1), with the intention to steer trainees to Australia for further training.
In 2009 they ran the first Module 1 workshop, and there was obvious passion and excitement from the participants. At the end of the workshop, they asked ‘where to from here’ – they did not want to travel to Australia, and instead asked for another 2-day workshop.
So, Judi and Megan prepared for Module 2, which was scaffolded onto Module 1. Workshop to workshop, they grew their training programme into further modules, with these becoming 3-day and 5-day workshops. This developed into the full CPW CCPT training programme which exists today.
Despite numerous financial obstacles, Judi was driven and knew this was a path that she needed to walk.
The wonderful advisory board for ChildPlayWorks Ltd looked at becoming NZQA accredited. This was not financially viable, yet Judi and Megan wanted to offer what they do well. What CPW provided needed to be solid, safe and ethical and the initial NZQA process was very helpful in formulating processes for the CPW training programme moving forward. Judi and Megan were determined to stick to the pure CCPT process as, for deep lasting change in a child’s life, it is vital that the child-centred modality does not become eclectic and therefore compromised.
Charitable Trust
CPW then became a Charitable Trust in 2016, and for CPW to continue, funding was needed. CPW has continued to grow from there.
Megan and Judi worked as CCPT programme developers and trainers for many years for little financial reward. However, the world of CCPT, and training others to work in this wonderful modality, was their passion and without this passion driving them, CPW would have died a long time ago. Judi and Megan had the drive and were prepared to do the work. They felt very strongly that this needed to happen and, supported by their Board of Trustees, they managed for CPW to become a viable organisation.
International Recognition
Because CPW employed the child centered model of play therapy, consultants were needed for accountability. Megan and Judi contacted Dr Bill Nordling, Nancy Cochran, and Dr Jeff Cochran (NIRE – National Institute of Relationship Enhancement) and asked if they would run professional development workshops for CPW, and to also play a consultancy role. They agreed and Dr Bill Nordling is also a faculty member, offering consultancy work for the training programme.
All three were very excited to be alongside CPW and to support the growing work in NZ in CCPT. Their support is invaluable.
The Dynamic Duo
Judi and Megan were affectionately dubbed ‘The Dynamic Duo’. Judi always viewed herself in the therapy world as ‘just me’, or ‘just us’ - two ladies from NZ doing something only because it is needed. They felt that they didn’t have real clout, but because of the impact that they could see on children’s lives, the CCPT process needed to be out there and gaining awareness.
CCPT is a powerful way that children are valued, and it needs to happen.
Judi and Megan met more wonderful leaders in their fields – Heather Chambers and Dr Wendy Kelly, who came on board to provide professional development for CPW trainees.
Heather referred to Judi and Megan ‘pioneers’ in their field, ‘clearing land and cutting a new path’ for CCPT therapy with our tamariki.
Judi and Megan continue to be humble and relatable, and this is obvious to people who come into our training that they are relationship-driven. Judi and Megan share their experiences and trainees realise that it is something they can also do.
Yes, Judi and Megan continue to humbly think that it is ‘just us’, but they have been part of pioneering a very significant modality of therapy for our tamariki.