About me
Caroline Briggs, Qualified Play Therapist/founder of Sussex Sunshine Play Therapy
I am a qualified play therapist with over 30 years of experience working with children in various settings, from private nannying to schools, nurseries, and children’s services. My child-centred approach ensures that every child feels safe, supported, and empowered to express themselves through play.
As the founder of Sussex Sunshine Play Therapy, I provide compassionate, therapeutic sessions to help children process emotions and overcome challenges such as trauma, anxiety, bereavement, and school-related difficulties. My experience with Early Help has deepened my understanding of family dynamics, allowing me to offer guidance to parents and caregivers as well. I have an extensive knowledge of safeguarding and I have high standards and ethics that I abide by to ensure children have a safe environment to be accepted to process their thoughts and feelings.
I offer 1:1 play therapy, small group sessions, parent support and provide training for schools, nurseries, and professionals, helping them recognize the power of play in emotional healing. My mission is to create a nurturing space where children can build resilience, confidence, and emotional well-being.
Let’s support children together—one play therapy session at a time.
Sussex Sunshine play therapy Philosophy
I beleive that everychild is unique, capable, and deeply deserving of understanding. I believe that when children are given a safe and supportive space to express themselves — free from judgment and expectation — they can explore their inner world, build resilience, and grow emotionally.
Play is a child’s natural language and play is not age limited. In the therapy room, I offer sand, clay, toys to represent nature, community, protection, animals and people. I provide art equipment for creative exploration, and creative materials that become tools for communication, as well as puppets and musical instruments. Through play, children can process difficult experiences, make sense of emotions, and discover new ways of coping.
My approach is gentle, relational, and child-led within a safe environment that allows the child to acess their subconcious and process their thoughts and feelings. I value the therapeutic relationship as the foundation of healing, and I take time to build trust at a pace that feels safe for each child. I am often asked how many sessions will a child need, I do not put a time limit on how long this takes as each child is individual and I will review with parents at regular intervals to ensure they are receiving the correct support they need.
I work from a trauma-informed, attachment-based perspective, always holding in mind the child’s developmental stage, family context, and unique strengths. I ensure that I keep up to date with professional training to ensure I keep abreast of any changes within the profession.
Ultimately, my hope is to provide a space where children feel seen, heard, and supported — and where families can find greater clarity and connection
Child-Centered Care
I ensure that the play therapy is child centred and uses the Axline principles, to ensure the child is not rushed and is valued within the therapy sessions.
The needs of the child are paramount to my decisions when providing therapy.
My continuous professional development is driven by a commitment to deepening my knowledge, so that the children I support receive the highest quality care and guidance I can provide.
I provide a consistent and transparent service and ensure good communication with the family and referrer.
Quality and Safety
I follow guidelines for health and safety.
A risk assesment is made for every establishment I attend and with every client.
My training is kept up to date by completing mandatory and continuous professional development. I will ensure that I complete safeguarding, data security and Prevent training regularly. I follow West Sussex child protection policy to ensure safeguarding.
I have public liability insurance and keep my DBS certificate up to date.
I access clinical supervision to ensure I am working within the professional standards and ethics.
I keep my professional memebership with PTUK up to date.
I also follow the policies of any establishments I am working within.
Testimonials
Any reviews will be added as they are received.
Qualifications
I have completed my training to Post Graduate level of qualified play therapist with PTUK.
I am affiliated with their professional standards and can be found on their website as a qualified Play therapist.
I have a foundation degree as an Early years educator.
NNEB (Qualified Nursery Nurse)
Advanced diploma in childcare and education.