Play Therapy

What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a type of therapy which uses play and creative methods to help children with a wide range of emotional, behavioural and developmental difficulties. Play is a child’s natural form of communication and so through the use of play therapy, children have an opportunity to ‘play out’ their feelings, thoughts, experiences and troubles in a safe and supportive environment. In doing this, children learn to better understand their feelings, develop new ways of thinking and behaving, and learn to cope better with what’s going on in their world.

Who can benefit from play therapy?

Play therapy has been found to be very effective with a range of difficulties. Very often children may experience minor problems or once-off situations which have an effect on their overall happiness and even their natural development. Short term treatment (3-6 months) is usually enough to help these children to adjust and get ‘back on track’. In other cases, children have experienced major life changes or traumas which need long term support (over a year). Play therapy can benefit children experiencing any of the following:

• Anxious, worried, withdrawn behaviour
• Angry, aggressive or other challenging behaviour such as hitting, fighting, temper tantrums, oppositional behaviour
• Low self-esteem, negative self-image
• Difficulty making friends and/or keeping friendships
• Risk of exclusion or bullying
• Adapting to big changes, eg. moving house, school, country etc.
• Family change – separated parents, divorce, change in living circumstances
• Fostering or adoption
• Academic or social skills difficulties or delays
• Illness and/or disabilities
• Autism, Aspergers, ADHD – communication, behaviour, emotional understanding
• Bedwetting, nightmares, difficulties sleeping or eating
• Selective mutism
• Experience of trauma – directly or as a witness
• Abuse – emotional, physical, sexual, neglect

How does it work?

Children attending play therapy sessions have access to a large selection of toys and creative media, all which have been selectively chosen to encourage imagination, creativity and expression. These include painting and drawing, sand play, dramatherapy, music and rhythm, movement and dance, therapeutic storytelling, creative visualisation, puppets, masks, dolls, clay, crafts and construction materials.

The therapist works in a non-directive manner, providing a supportive environment in which children can work through their feelings, thoughts and experiences at their own pace. Structures and boundaries function to keep the child safe in the play room, but freedom of expression is encouraged. The play therapy room is a space where children can be themselves, express themselves and learn about themselves without pressure or expectation.

The therapist will first meet with parents/carers to discuss the child. Play therapy sessions are arranged once a week, at the same time and on the same day. The therapist will also meet regularly with parents/carers for review meetings to discuss progress. The number of sessions depends on each child’s circumstances and this will be discussed at initial consultation and at reviews.