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What Is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is a form of counselling that involves the use of creative and expressive communication and is based upon the theory of Virginia Axline. It’s non-directive, Integrative, Holistic and child centred approach means it is a method of helping children to help themselves, where the child will develop strategies of how to deal with situations in the real world more appropriately.
One to One Play Therapy Sessions
One to one form of counselling for children aged between 3 and adolescence.
Held in our special play rooms which are equipped with a wide range of toys and creative materials.
Sessions take place on a weekly basis and typically last between 30-50 minutes.
The number of sessions required depends on the nature and complexity of the presenting problems
Group Play Therapy Sessions
Effective with small groups (3-6) children who share similar interests or life experiences.
Can help emotional and social development.
A very cost effective therapeutic technique.
Play is a child’s natural medium for self-expression. Through play, they can make sense of their feelings and the world in which they live. Play therapy gives children the opportunity to play out their feelings and problems with a therapeutic objective, unlocking their potential for self-growth. It helps children to develop physically, emotionally and socially. It fosters imagination and creativity and encourages confidence and concentration. It helps children to make friends and learn about their ever expanding world as well as make mistakes safely.
The child is neither praised nor blamed. There is no judgment, no right or wrong. By providing a free atmosphere within safe boundaries the supportive therapist allows the child complete freedom to express themselves physically, verbally or with play things.
The trusting and non-judgmental relationship between the child and the qualified, trained and empathetic therapist allows the child to have the freedom to be themselves and to express their inner struggles and joys. This is done in a safe, caring and confidential environment. Play therapy also helps the child to be understood through the metaphor of play, behaviour and other communication.
Play therapy can be on an individual or group basis.
Play Therapy Toolkit
Children and adolescents are often unable to use words to express themselves or to communicate emotions. They respond extremely well to being able to express themselves creatively in a safe and child-friendly setting, while learning appropriate ways to manage and communicate feelings. We use unconstructed materials such as sand and water, paint, glue, clay, instruments, puppets and masks as well as miniature figures of people, animals, trees etc. which allows the imagination free reign. For example making a world in the sand gives a child the opportunity of making sense of his or her experience.
