WHAT IS PLAY THERAPY?
- Children often find it difficult to express themselves verbally and so traditional talking therapies can be difficult for
them. Play is a child’s natural way of expressing themselves. - Play therapy is a therapeutic method of Psychotherapy for children aged 3 and upwards that explores a child’s natural means of expression to help them cope in their world.
- It is a clinical therapy aimed at supporting mental health needs and development difficulties of all young children & adolescents and adults
- Play enables the therapist and child to develop a trusted relationship which is consistent with helping a person gain mastery over a situation or trauma they have experienced.
This therapeutic intervention attunes to the client’s pace while using non-directive or directive therapy.
PLAY – A CHILD’S NATURAL WAY OF EXPRESSING THEMSELVES
- Play naturally helps children develop physically, social, intellectually and emotionally.
- Play is innate from birth it incorporates senses, use of body, role play, relationship, stories skills and games, identity as well as decision making and empathy.
- During play children experience their own power by connecting with the core self.
- The cognitive, emotional and interpersonal process in play leads to problem solving and creative thinking.
- Play therapists can also teach children how to play.
PLAY THERAPY IS HELPFUL FOR CHILDREN WHO EXPERIENCE:
- Parental conflict, separation or divorce.
- Issues with self esteem.
- Developmental trauma (sexual, physical or emotional abuse).
- Being adopted or being in foster care.
- Issues of loss, such as illness or death of a loved one.
- Medical issues and hospitalisations.
- Witness to domestic violence.
- Acute trauma such as an accident or disaster.
- Learning differences such as Attention Deficit Disorder or Autism.
- Physical disabilities.
STRUCTURE OF PLAY THERAPY:
- Referral received from parents/social work/psychiatry/school.
- Meeting with the child’s parents/carer(s) and a discussion with appropriate professionals involved with the child if necessary.
- If the referral is deemed to be appropriate, a plan is made to begin sessions.
- Play Therapy sessions: 45-minute regular weekly sessions. These sessions can comprise of one to one sessions with the therapist and sessions where parents/carer(s) are actively involved.
- Regular review sessions with parent/carer(s) and other appropriate professionals, if it is necessary.
HOW MANY SESSIONS ARE RECOMMENDED?
For less complex cases, where the child is well supported at home and in their community, 7 – 10 sessions may be sufficient, with a re-referral for further blocks of therapy appropriate should the family need further support. Complex cases may require long-term intervention (12 months or more) with regular breaks in the therapy.