East Anglian Psychotherapy Network

AUTUMN CONFERENCE

RECOVERING PLAY

22nd NOVEMBER 2025

Venue: Carrow Road Football Stadium, Conference Centre,

Carrow Rd, Norwich NR1 1JE

"Psychotherapy takes place in the overlap of two areas of playing - that of the patient and that of the therapist. Psychotherapy has to do with two people playing together. The corollary of this is that where playing is not possible then the work done by the therapist is directed towards bringing the patient from a state of not being able to play into a state of being able to play" Donald Woods Winnicott

Play is a core part of child and adolescent psychoanalytic work but is often overlooked in adult settings. We as therapists may also struggle to allow ourselves to experience play. Recent research has highlighted the importance of play for learning and has revealed the negative impact on development of a lack of free and risky play.

This conference aims to help us to think about themes of play in our own individual therapy contexts, the importance of play throughout the lifespan and how in the digital age play has come to mean different things for all of us.

We are delighted to welcome the following speakers who will hopefully inspire a rich discussion during the day:

Tim Snelson is an Associate Professor in Media History at the University of East Anglia.

Dr Adrian Sutton, is a Psychiatrist and Psychodynamic Organisational Therapist registered with the BPC, He recently retired as director of The Squiggle Foundation.

Jennifer Davids, is an adult, child and adolescent psychoanalyst. She is a Fellow of the British Psychoanalytical Society and a supervising analyst for child and adolescent psychoanalysis, and psychotherapy. Jennifer is a member of the ACP UK.

Cost: Full cost £120

Members with paid EAPN subscription £105 (Early bird before October 18th £95)

Student members with paid subscription £85 (Early bird before October 18th £75)

To Book:

Please pay the correct by BACS to the following account

Name of account: East Anglian Psychotherapy Network

Sort code: 30-96-26

Account number: 41643760

Payment reference: Conf2025 and your name.

Parking at the venue and food for the day is included in the cost of the conference.

For those travelling by rail, Norwich station is 5min walk away from the venue.

Please note the venue have requested final numbers by 31st October. Therefore this will be the last date for booking.