What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a 1 to 1 space where children can play if they wish and work through their emotions and feelings in their own way.  Play therapy can help many children with a wide variety of needs and issues. The therapist is there to hold the space and reflect back to the child what they are saying and doing in order to help them understand their own process.

Children have access to a variety of items, such as paint, clay, stories, puppets, sand tray, figures and symbols, musical instruments and role play.  It is up to the child what they decide to use and how.

Play therapy is non-threatening and accessible to all children, as there is no pressure for them to talk and they have freedom to choose what they do. The sessions are completely confidential, so the child feels free to say or do whatever they need to for their individual process. The exception to this is if I need to follow safe guarding procedures if a child says anything that suggests they are in danger of harm. This is explained to all children when they begin sessions.

Children are offered weekly 40-minute sessions. The majority of sessions are 1 to 1, although I am sometimes able to offer groupwork. I can work with children aged 4 and above and recommend a period of at least 15 sessions. Many children need longer than this.