About Praktijk Bouwsteentjes

We focus on possibilities, not limitations

As a parent, you want nothing more than for your child to thrive. So when they are struggling with something, such as anxiety, being bullied, nightmares, depression, trauma…

Then you want to fix it. But that is not always easy. Is your child’s development being hindered and you no longer know what to do? Then play therapy can offer a solution. Praktijk Bouwsteentjes is happy to help you with that!

Interested in an introduction?

Why Bouwsteentjes?

I did not choose the name Bouwsteentjes by chance. It fits perfectly with what I do and what I stand for. First of all, the name naturally relates to play, because children love to build. Toy building blocks, such as LEGO and wooden blocks, can be used in many ways and are all important when you are creating a structure. Even the less beautiful ones or those with an unusual shape have a function in the whole; not a single block needs to be rejected. And it is the same with your child’s behavior.

Reframing

We often label traits we find difficult as negative, but you can also see them as a strength. I am therefore a great fan of reframing. A know-it-all is someone with a lot of knowledge. A child is not a ‘scaredy-cat’, but simply cautious and observes for a moment first. Difficulty concentrating? The child picks up many things and processes everything extensively. I try to look at behavior through a different lens, to tilt the building blocks. To focus on possibilities, not limitations.

Attachment building blocks

The practice name also refers to attachment building blocks, to the Building Blocks model by psychotherapist and educationalist Truus Bakker-van Zeil. Every child goes through different stages of development, in which they learn certain things and constantly lay a foundation for the next phase. So that the child can eventually grow into an independent and creatively thinking adult.

For many children, there is a building block somewhere that has not developed optimally. For example, due to the death of a parent, a divorce, a hospital stay… These types of events can hinder the child’s growth. In that case, you can use play therapy to restart the stagnated development.

‘We are great fans of reframing. We try to look at behavior through a different lens, to tilt the building blocks.’

Curious, without judgment

The owner of Praktijk Bouwsteentjes is Tjitske Knigge: ‘The beauty of play therapy, I find, is that we truly look at the child. When your child shows certain behavior, I do not try to interpret or analyze it. I remain extremely curious, full of questions, and try different things in the play. In this, I follow the child. I only say what I see and let him or her tell me if that is correct. It is important that a child feels in control of the situation. In the play sessions, they slowly but surely discover their own inner strength.’

As a play therapist, I always remain non-judgmental. I have no judgment about your child’s behavior, and I do not judge you as a parent either. It is about the challenge(s) your child faces, and that is what we focus on in therapy.

You know your child

After four to five play sessions, we look back on the sessions together with you, the parents. We then discuss what we have seen and whether you recognize this. Parents are the professionals, I always say. It is your child; you know him or her best. From there, we look at what your child experiences as a hindrance and how you can best help with this. This can often be achieved with very small adjustments in behavior or approach.’

‘In the play sessions, your child discovers their own inner strength.’

Quality first

Praktijk Bouwsteentjes is deliberately a small-scale practice. There is one play room and at the moment there is one play therapist, along with a play therapist in training on a regular basis. Your child always has a permanent therapist, whom they keep throughout the therapy period. This is pleasant and beneficial for the process.

If you choose Praktijk Bouwsteentjes, you are assured of quality:

Tjitske in brief

World citizen

The period in Indonesia, where Tjitske was born and lived until she was ten, shaped her: from a young age, she has been internationally oriented and interested in other cultures. In her adult life, she also lived abroad extensively, including as a teacher. South Korea, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Bolivia… ‘I experienced what it is like to live in another culture with your own culture. As a result, I can move flexibly and I am open to other people, worlds, and cultures.’

Play therapist

Tjitske has been working as a play therapist for over ten years. From the moment she heard about this form of therapy, she was sold.

‘Through play, you can help a child discover their qualities at a very young age. And how they can use these in difficult moments. By using humor, asking for help, or walking away, for example. A young child often cannot speak well yet, but you can let them play!’

Teacher

In addition to being a play therapist, Tjitske is also a classroom teacher at a school for special primary education. ‘In regular education, there are unfortunately children who fall through the cracks. Upwards, downwards, in terms of learning, on an emotional level… Children who cannot manage with what a teacher and the education system have to offer. In special primary education, and of course in my role as a play therapist, I can fortunately focus more on the individual child and what they need to develop optimally.’

Testimonials

Satisfied clients

TEIJN (10 years old)

"I give Tjitske a hundred out of ten"

I give Tjitske a hundred out of ten. It was fun and Tjitske was very sweet and listened very well.

V.D. (mother)

"We look back on it with a very positive and good feeling"

Tjitske helped our daughter very well. It was nice to see that, through her years of experience, she understood our daughter and knew how to handle her. As a result, our daughter felt at ease with Tjitske and we saw her grow tremendously. She really enjoyed playing with Tjitske in the play room and went there every week with great pleasure.

We look back on it with a very positive and good feeling. We can therefore heartily recommend Tjitske!