Many of you will by now have heard the sad news of renowned Child and Adolescent Therapist Violet Oaklander, who passed away peacefully at home last week.
A true pioneer, Violet was a source of inspiration and wisdom for countless Children’s Mental Health Professionals across the Globe. Play Therapy International was lucky enough to enjoy a positive professional relationship with Violet, and she and our Chief Executive Monika Jephcott worked together on a number of occasions over the years.
Monika said:
‘All of us at Play Therapy International were deeply saddened to hear the news of Violet Oaklander’s passing. She was an extraordinary individual who we had the privilege of working with on several occasions over the years.
Violet was the first person to receive the PTI Prize for her exceptional contributions to the Play Therapy profession, gave the keynote speech at the first PTI/PTUK International Congress in 2004 and was the Patron Of Play Therapy Spain. We are also particularly grateful for her inspirational work in Gestalt Therapy for children.
Throughout her life, Violet was an example to us all in how to survive trauma and turn it into something positive that supports the children in this world.’
We are sure that you will all join us in remembering Violet and giving thanks for her outstanding contribution to our profession. Her full obituary, as published in the LA Times can be found here.
