Play Therapy

Play Therapy gives children the opportunity to work through difficulties without the challenge of having to put their feelings into words. Play is the natural form of communication for children, and therapeutic play can provide them with the means to explore deep feelings and fears without the need to talk about them or face them directly. In Play Therapy, children are given the opportunity to act out, explore and resolve the experiences that are causing them pain and it provides them with an outlet for their anger, sadness or fear.

A relationship, which is paramount to the play therapy process, is developed between the therapist and child. The therapist creates a safe space in which the child feels seen, heard, understood and validated. She enters the child’s world, follows their lead and assists the child through their process. The purpose of Play Therapy is then to help children understand themselves and, in the process, give them strategies to cope with difficulties they face in life.

Play Therapy happens once a week at the same time and in the same room. This is important for developing the trusting relationship. Before I begin with a child, I require an initial session with the parents or guardians in order to gain insight into the struggle and to understand the child’s history. Every 6 weeks there is a review session with the child’s parents, where they are given strategies to use at home and at school.

Benefits of Play Therapy

How does Play Therapy work?

Benefits of Play Therapy

· Uses a non-threatening approach to allow children to work through challenges

· Helps a child to identify, communicate and manage their emotions

· Gives children the skills to express strong feelings (e.g. anger & anxiety) in more healthy and positive ways

· Promotes self-esteem, self-control, self-respect and self-acceptance

· Helps im

· Uses a non-threatening approach to allow children to work through challenges

· Helps a child to identify, communicate and manage their emotions

· Gives children the skills to express strong feelings (e.g. anger & anxiety) in more healthy and positive ways

· Promotes self-esteem, self-control, self-respect and self-acceptance

· Helps improve relational skills by promoting trust and encouraging communication

· Reduces stress & anxiety levels

· Promotes problem solving & helps the child develop a sense of mastery

· Helps a child to assume greater self-responsibility & promotes self-reliance/independence

· Helps a child to gain a clearer sense of self, to feel better about him/her self and to feel stronger inside

· Helps the child to feel happier and more peaceful in life

· Provides parents with strategies to implement at home as well as at school

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Who is Play Therapy for?

How does Play Therapy work?

Benefits of Play Therapy

Play Therapy can help a child who experiences any of the following:

· Is not realising his/her full potential – academically, or socially

· Challenges at school

· Bullying

· Social difficulties or withdrawal

· Impulse control and ADD/ADHD

· Low self-esteem or confidence

· Anger management

· Anxiety, depression

· Excessive fears, worrie

Play Therapy can help a child who experiences any of the following:

· Is not realising his/her full potential – academically, or socially

· Challenges at school

· Bullying

· Social difficulties or withdrawal

· Impulse control and ADD/ADHD

· Low self-esteem or confidence

· Anger management

· Anxiety, depression

· Excessive fears, worries, or stress

· Suffers because of separated/divorced parents

· Excessive sibling rivalry

· Personal/family illness

· Attachment

· Nightmares, disturbed sleep

· Trauma, grief, loss

· Abuse

· Autism

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How does Play Therapy work?

New neural pathways develop in the brain as we record new experiences and ‘play’ builds these. More brain centres light up in response to metaphors, than any other form of human communication, with regards to emotions, forming new neural pathways. Symbolic and fantasy play with its use of metaphors provides new experiences that develops

A child is given “Special Time” which will take place once a week at the same time and place. They can re-enact or play out traumatic or distressing life experiences. This helps them to make sense of the past and to have more positive coping strategies for the future. Every “Special time” session will have no interruptions and everything said or done will be kept confidential and private unless the child is harmed or hurt, where the therapist is obligated by law to report this to relevant parties.

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FAQs

What are some of the techniques you use?

I use different techniques according to the child’s wishes. Some of the techniques include: puppets and role play, story-telling and sand play, music, dance and movement, creative arts, sensory elements, construction and clay.

What approach do you use?

I use an integrative holistic approach, looking at the child as a whole. My approach is tailored to serve each child’s individual needs.

What age children do you work with?

I work with children between the ages of 3 to 8 years of age.

How long is each session?

Each session is 40 minutes long.

How many sessions will my child need to see you for?

This is dependent on the child and their needs. This will be discussed during the initial interview.

What do you charge per session?

There are different packages available. Please contact me for a breakdown of the various options.

Play Therapy

Benefits of Play Therapy

How does Play Therapy work?

Benefits of Play Therapy

Who is Play Therapy for?

How does Play Therapy work?

Benefits of Play Therapy

How does Play Therapy work?

How does Play Therapy work?

How does Play Therapy work?

FAQs

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