Play Therapy

What is play therapy?

Play therapy is a kind of therapy that helps children to express their feelings, explore and make sense of their life experiences. While adults use words to communicate in therapy, children use play as their natural medium to learn, communicate and explore their world.

Who is it for?

Play therapy can help children experienced various kind of difficulties such as:

• family breakdown or separation
• emotion or behaviour struggles
• struggles with peer relationships
• bereavement
• trauma
• abuse

Children receive emotional support and learn more about their feelings and thoughts through play therapy. Play therapy is particularly suitable for children aged three to 12.

What happens in play therapy sessions?

Consistency is vital in play therapy. Play therapy sessions will take place every week at the same time and place. The play therapist will be in the playroom with the child for 50 mins. The child will lead the play and choose what they like to play with. It is not necessary for the child to talk as they might communicate their thoughts and feelings through play.

Confidentiality

Play therapy offers the child a confidential space to explore their thoughts and feelings safely. Therefore, whatever happens in the playroom would stay in the room between the child and the play therapist unless the therapist is concerned about the child’s safety. The child is free to talk to anyone about the play therapy sessions if that is what they would like to do.

What are the benefits of play therapy?

Play therapy offers a safe space for children to explore and express their feelings and experiences. It can enable them to work through their experiences. This would lead to enhanced self-esteem and a sense of empowerment. Children will become more resilient and capable of dealing with challenges in the real world.

Feedback

Halfway through the play therapy process, a meeting would be offered to provide feedback to the parents/ carers. A meeting will also be offered at the end when all the sessions are finished.

What is a student play therapist?

A student play therapist is a student who is undergoing professional play therapy training that has been accredited by The British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT). The therapist is learning to use play as a means of communication to understand children’s feelings, thoughts and behaviours.