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Toolkit in play therapy includes toys for children to express how they feel

What is Play Therapy?

children will mask their feelings.

Play therapy is a form of therapy that primarily uses play to help children express themselves and work through emotional and mental issues. It’s based on the idea that play is a natural way for children to communicate and process their experiences. In a safe and comfortable environment, children explore their thoughts and feelings,  develop coping strategies and formulate solutions through creative ways like drawing, painting, clay, sand tray, or playing games. 

child using clay to create and work through feelings.

How Does it Work?

A child may not be able to recognise what they find difficult or explain it to someone if asked.

Play Therapy provides the expertise and time to do this through play. Play Therapy sessions aim to build a child’s ability to develop healthy and resilient relationships, and to work through traumatic experiences which may be preoccupying them.

A preoccupying, difficult feeling can make learning at school or managing feelings impossible. Addressing difficult emotions through play provides a layer of story or metaphor to what is being shared and felt. It can feel safer and less intense for a child to express themselves or explore their experiences through play.

Who is Play Therapy for?

  • Anxiety and panic disorders

  • Autism, ADHD, PDA

  • Behavioural difficulties

  • Bereavement or loss

  • Bullying

  • Delayed development and/or learning difficulty

  • Developmental and relational trauma

  • Difficulties with self-expression, confidence and self-esteem

  • Divorced or separated parents/carers

  • Domestic violence

  • Emotional, physical or sexual abuse

  • Exclusion from school

  • Friendship issues

  • Medical condition, illness or hospital stay

  • Phobias, fears, obsessive compulsive disorder

  • Physical disability

  • Sensory issues

  • Social exclusion

  • Under performing - not realising potential (socially or academic performance)

  • Withdrawn and/or low mood

Sessions

Sessions last for 40 minutes. Children are able to have as many sessions as needed, however I recommend a minimum of 12 sessions.

A wide range of resources is made ready for therapy each week.  The toolkit includes: a large array of art and crafting materials, clay, dressing-up and role play props, musical instruments, sand and water, puppets, miniature figures, games, and construction toys. Children will be able to choose what they would like to use. I enter into their play, following their lead.

Through the metaphor of play, children will be able to work at their own pace and explore the narratives and experiences most pertinent to them.

Over the first few sessions a child will begin to build a relationship with me. This will enable them to use my knowledge and the space, to express themselves in their own way.

 

How to make a referral

Parents' Role

Your role remains central to your child and your support of them attending therapy is important.

Your child may choose to keep what they do in their sessions private. Please do not be offended or worried by this. It may well be that they have not got the words to explain it to you yet. Just as it helps not to ask for details about their sessions, it helps not to ask children to behave in a certain way when they come for their sessions.  I do not expect or need ‘good’ behaviour.  Instead, I hope that each child comes to trust that they can express themselves freely, without judgement whilst in play therapy.

To refer a child for play therapy, here's a simple process  for schools, parents, and medical and mental health professionals:

  1. Reach Out: Send me an email or message via my  contact page with a brief description of the reason  for the referral. If you’re a school or professional,  please include the details of the best contact  person.

  2. Initial Consultation: Once I receive your details, we  can arrange a free telephone consultation to discuss the referral, possible support, and costs. There's no obligation to proceed at this stage.

  3. Face-to-Face Consultation: If you decide to go ahead, we'll arrange a face-to-face meeting. Here, I’ll gather more information about your child's needs, and you’ll have a chance to see the playroom and ask any questions.

  4. School-Based Referrals: If the therapy is to be  provided at a school, a meeting with the referrer (usually the SENDCO) and parents/carers will be arranged at the school's  location.

  5. Therapy Sessions: Finally, we will schedule a block of therapy sessions at the same time and location  each week.

I am looking forward to supporting

you and your child on this journey.

Child blowing bubbles, used in Play Therapy to blow away worries
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