Helping young people to express themselves in their own way
About Play Therapy
The therapist uses a wide variety of therapeutic creative arts media and toys. This is called the therapist’s ‘toolkit’.
The Play Therapist will have a large selection of play materials from which the child can choose. These will include art and craft materials, dressing up props, sand and water, clay, small figures and animals, musical instruments, puppets and books. Most Play Therapists will also offer therapeutic storytelling and creative visualisation. The Play Therapist will enable your child to use these resources to express themselves without having to provide verbal explanations.
Play Therapists receive extensive training in child development and attachment. They are trained to use play, a child's natural form of expression, as a means for understanding and communicating with children about their feelings, thoughts and behaviour.
The process...
At the beginning...
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The process begins with a free, no obligation phone call/meeting to discuss the child’s difficulties and explore whether Play Therapy would be a suitable intervention.
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A referral form will need to be completed and consent obtained from all people who have parental responsibility for the child.
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An assessment meeting with be held with parents/carers and the Therapist to obtain a more informed picture of the difficulties the child is currently experiencing and what positive changes parents/carers might like to see. The Therapist may also talk to other professionals supporting the child’s development: this might include their Class Teacher, Social Worker or relevant Health Professionals.
The sessions...
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It is at this stage that the Therapist will introduce themselves to the child and invite them to have a look at the playroom. If a child is particularly anxious, the therapist may recommend visiting the child at their home.
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Play Therapy sessions are usually held in a specially designed playroom. However, where required, the therapist can facilitate sessions elsewhere.
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Therapy sessions are usually 40 minutes long but may be reduced depending on the developmental needs of the child.
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Some children will respond to a short-term intervention of fifteen sessions. However, when problems have persisted for a long time or are complicated, it may take considerably longer. As the number of sessions, a child will need varies, this will be discussed on an individual basis.
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The therapist will meet with the referrer (parent/carer or school) at the mid-point of therapy to discuss progress in therapy sessions and any changes and developments that the parent or school may have witnessed or experienced.
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Sessions are usually once a week on a regular day at the same time and place. This is very important for developing a trusting relationship, unplanned or missed sessions may disrupt the process.
