WHAT IS PLAY THERAPY?

When an adult goes to see a counsellor or a psychotherapist they normally communicate using words. They simply talk about their thoughts and feelings.  However, children are often not as comfortable using words as adults are. In Play Therapy the child uses the medium of play to explore themselves, their thoughts and their sense of the world.

Through therapeutic play the child is able to identify, work through and resolve emotional conflicts that are too painful or too difficult to express verbally. By using play materials and ‘pretend’ or ‘imaginative’ scenarios the child is able to comfortably work on their difficulties. Another possibility in the playroom is that the child can work outside conscious awareness. In other words the child might be unaware that they are in fact resolving conflicts through their play.

 In nearly all cases play therapy is one on one, with just the child and play therapist present. The personal nature of play therapy allows a safe and secure bond to form between the therapist and child which is so important to allow the child to fully express themselves and explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviours. In short, toys are the words and play is the language!  

 

HOW DOES PLAY THERAPY WORK?

Intake: The play therapist will meet with the parent(s) without the child present. This is an opportunity for the therapist to get an understanding of the issues and challenges being experienced and to set the stage for the therapeutic process to begin.

Session 1: In the first session the parent(s) will accompany the child into the therapy room for the initial 5-10 mins. This time will be the child’s introduction to their play therapist and the play space. Aside from the beginning of the first session parents would not ordinarily be present in the play therapy room for any further sessions.

Sessions 1 – 6: After this, sessions will begin as normal. Sessions will be scheduled weekly at a consistent day and time.

After every six sessions the parent(s) and the play therapist will meet for a review session, this is an opportunity for discussion while ensuring the child’s confidentiality is upheld at all times.

And so the cycle continues with every six sessions followed by a review session. The length of the play therapy process varies in every case but most children will complete a minimum of 12 sessions

What can play therapy help with?

Play therapy has been proven to help children:

Who might be experiencing issues with self esteem, anxiety or anger.

Children who are experiencing parental conflict including separation and divorce.

Children who are dealing with issues of loss, such as illness or the death of a loved one.

 Children with a diagnosis such as Attention Deficit Disorder, Autism and so on.

Children who are experiencing adjustment issues such as a house move. new school etc.