Meet the team
Eileen Russell
As a professional play therapist and parenting coach, I have a big heart for children. I have a real passion for helping children and families hold hard things, seeing them from a new perspective, pulling out gold, and simply holding them in a place of hope. I have 17 years’ experience working strategically in the public sector across Northern Ireland, training staff and creating innovative tailor-made programmes for families throughout Northern Ireland.
Florence Walker
I am a wife and mother of two children and now the proud grandmother of four grandchildren. I have worked with preschool children since 1991, and I always felt that some children just needed a little something extra to help them develop to their full potential. I became so interested in healing trauma and other childhood issues through therapeutic play therapy that I started on my journey of becoming a fully qualified play therapist in 2017.
Tara Keys
I am the Project Coordinator at WayMaker, my role is to support the management of projects and the administration. I am a mother of two children and have seventeen years of experience working with children and youth. My heart is for children to know their worth, know they are important and know they are seen. I love fun, laughter and all things play. I have recently completed training on Rhythmic Movement and I am excited to bring baby massage to WayMaker soon alongside studying to become a Play Therapist.
Zoe Younger
I am a Play and Creative Arts Therapist, with over 10 years of experience working with children throughout Northern Ireland. I thrive off this rewarding role, and it a pleasure to provide a safe and nurturing space for children and young people to have the freedom to express who they are and desire to be. I have a particular passion for ALL THINGS SENSORY! I love incorporating sensory play for both enjoyment and therapeutic support.
Karen Lennox
I am a trainee play therapist at WayMaker. I am a qualified teacher and have been working closely with children in primary, behavioural and secure facilities for over almost ten years across both Northern Ireland and England. I feel extremely blessed to have been serving as a trainee play therapist at Waymaker since April 2023. Through the use of therapeutic play, it is my desire to aid children in finding connection, resilience, hope and a greater sense of the identity for which they were created.
Mel McCracken
I'm an Art Psychotherapist with a background in social work and I have over 8 years of experience working with children and young people living in residential care. I fully believe in the healing power of art-making, through which clients are able to explore their inner world and express their thoughts, feelings and emotions. My heart is to provide a therapeutic space where young people can feel safe, nurtured and held; a space where there is no pressure to talk and where they are free to explore, play and experiment with the materials in whichever way they choose.
