PLAY THERAPY

 Play Therapy offers a non-directive, child-led, creative, safe space where children can express themselves & work through difficulties using their natural language of communication, play. 

       It is a Psychotherapy based, integrative holistic approach to child therapy where talking just isn't the right thing.   Just as adults experience huge emotions, children do too and Play Therapy is the best way to help them to express themselves and to make sense of their life experiences. 

     Play Therapy helps to empower children by giving them opportunities to develop strategies for coping with the difficulties they face.  In a child’s session they can make sense of their emotions, and so choose what actions to take that will provide healthy growth and development.  Rehearsing these skills in the safety of the therapy room support and bolster this growth.

     There is a 40-minute weekly session with children and young people aged 4 – 12 years old.  Toolkit used includes drama, art, mask, music, poetry, storytelling,  Lego, puppetry, sand & symbols, movement, games, and clay amongst others. 

     When children play they can reduce anxieties and feel calm and psychologically strong feel safe in the world and learned that the world has meaning.  

Together we can address any strengths and difficulties at the same time as improving the child’s self-confidence and emotional well-being including, but not only: 

• Mental health issues
• Abuse
• Trauma
• Anxiety
• Depression
•  Low self-esteem & self-confidence 
•  Anger
• Friendships and relationships
• Grief & loss – through separation, divorce or bereavement 
• Changes in behaviour, emotional dysregulation
• Dealing with big life events – e.g. changing schools, moving home, exam pressures, stress, changes in the family set up 

 Plus many other day-to-day challenges children and young people face.