What is play therapy?
-
Play Therapy is a model of counselling specifically for young children that differs from the usual modality of talk therapy. Play Therapy is an appropriate modality for children 2-14 years, dependent on their developmental needs.
Child -Centred Therapy allows children to process and work through worries, challenges or past trauma experiences in a child focused, non directive way. This increases the neuroception of safety for all children within the play room.
Non directive Play Therapy makes no attempt to change or control a child and is based on the notion that all behaviour is caused by the drive for complete self realisation.
-
My role during a Play Therapy session is to provide a trauma-informed space for children and their families so that they can unapologetically express current needs and past experiences. Facilitative responses, reflecting of feelings and limit setting are all ways in which the therapists helps the child feel validated throughout their play.
-
Boundaries are an important way to increase feelings of safety and in the playroom, we may need to put boundaries and limits in place from time to time. This is to keep us all safe and opens up other therapeutic benefits for the child.
-
Play Therapy can be particularly powerful for children who have experienced simple and complex trauma and can be a safe way for children to work through these experiences. CCPT allows for therapy to occur at the child’s pace and ensures that children are not forced to discuss or communicate experiences that they are not ready to process.
Our role as practitioners is to provide children with a space they can express themselves freely. Play therapy places no obligation on the child to act or communicate in a certain way. Children are offered resources and space to act out their deep internal feelings and experiences, this may be done with or without the use of language. We can interpret nonverbal cues and observe and track a child’s behaviour to make meaning of their play. We priorities the act of relationship building as the most important way for children to build safety to allow the expression of their needs to be shared.
*Powers of play refer to the therapeutic benefits inherent in the act of play, allowing a child to express emotions, explore experiences, and develop coping skills.
-
If you have a child who is nonverbal and feeling overwhelmed, Play Therapy can be a great way for them to connect with someone and communicate in a way which feels safest to them.
-
Child-centered play therapy places a strong emphasis on creating a safe and trusting therapeutic environment. The use of play allows children to express themselves in a non-threatening manner, fostering a sense of safety that is crucial for those who have experienced trauma.
We utilise many types of resources that children may gravitate to, through play. These may include art and craft, sand tray, story telling and imaginative play
-
Numerous research studies have been conducted to examine the efficacy of play therapy across different populations and presenting concerns. Empirical evidence supports its effectiveness in promoting positive outcomes in children who have undergone play therapy. This includes improvement in emotional regulation, behavior, social skills, and overall psychological well-being.
Who would benefit from Child-Centred Play Therapy?
We work with children aged 2-14 years going through difficulties associated with:
Behavioural difficulties
Bullying or social issues
Anxiety or depression
Separation anxiety
Grief and loss
sibling conflict
Accepting and managing life changes
Family separation or divorce
Self-doubt, lack of confidence and withdrawal
Trauma experiences
Domestic violence, neglect, abuse
Out of home care
Medical trauma, chronic illness or a child living with a parent with a chronic illness
Children who may be struggling with their capacity to self-regulate, communicate difficulties or behavioural concerns
Selective Mutism
Children who struggle to transition from one environment to another
Children who may feel overwhelmed or anxious on a regular basis
Children who are experiencing grief and loss
Children with disabilities such as, but not limited to: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficient Hyperactive Disorder, Global Developmental Delay Cerebral Palsy
What skills could my child develop when engaging in Play Therapy?
Children will be given opportunities to develop independence and responsibility.
Children will be given the opportunity to celebrate successes, glimmers of hope and overcome challenges
Child may begin to process experiences they have endured or are currently experiencing. Play therapy may provide them the environment to communicate how it makes them feel, either verbally or through their play. Play therapy allows children to work through trauma at their own pace.
Children will be supported to understand boundaries and adaptive coping strategies to utilise when feeling dysregulated.
Children will be assisted in the development of prosocial and problem-solving skills under stress; you may see improvement in their interactions with others and their behaviour when under pressure
We will Promote social engagement and fostering relationships with peers
We will Support emotional and sensory regulation and processing
We will assist with Developing insight and the ability to express thoughts and feelings
Children will Learn how to express a range of emotions
Children will develop the capacity to make appropriate choices and feel empowered to make decisions
Children will increase their ability to feel in control of challenging situations
We will support the development of positive self talk
We will support children to increase their sense of self and of others, whilst developing confidence and self reliance
We will support children to Increase their empathy and connection with others