Play Therapy
Play Therapy is an effective therapy that helps children and young people, from aged three upwards, suffering from a range of psychological difficulties and complex life experiences.
Psychological difficulties include depression, anxiety, aggression, learning difficulties and ADHD. Difficult life experiences include abuse, grief, family breakdown, domestic violence and trauma.
Play therapy helps children modify their behaviours, clarify their self-concept and build healthy relationships. In Play Therapy, children enter into a dynamic relationship with the therapist that enables them to express, explore and make sense of their difficult and painful experiences.
Play Therapy helps children find healthier ways of communicating, develop fulfilling relationships, increase resiliency and facilitate emotional literacy. Children use play as a form of communication. So often children referred to Play Therapy do not have the words to describe their thoughts, feelings and perceptions of their internal and external world.
I work closely with the child’s parents/carers throughout the play therapy intervention and occasionally undertake parent-child relationship interventions.
Sessions
There is an initial block of 12 weekly sessions. Each session lasts for approximately 45 minutes and ideally takes place at the same time each week and in the same location for consistency. Sessions can take place at my home address or at the child’s school. If I see children at their schools within their school day, this is liaised between parent and school.
The amount of sessions each child requires will vary dependent on their own personal needs and what they have experienced. There are regular reviews with both parents and if appropriate, school as well.