Play Therapy

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Play therapy is a counselling approach for children that incorporates play and the therapeutic relationship to aid in therapeutic change. Sessions are generally provided 1:1 within a safe and consistent therapeutic environment. Subsequently, the child-therapist relationship is built on mutual trust and respect, enabling space for the child to explore what is needed. 

Often children who have been exposed to complex or traumatic events may not have the cognitive ability to verbalise these adversities. Play therapy does not rely on expressive language, subsequently, is often the most developmentally appropriate therapeutic intervention for children. There is no expectation placed on the child during sessions to engage verbally with the therapist, therefore, often reducing anxiety on the child. 

Additionally, children experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or who lack self-confidence, have developmental delays or neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism or ADHD, are often supported with play therapy. Children naturally use play for self-expression, this is often presented unconsciously by the child during sessions. The play therapist implements a range of therapeutic skills to scaffold the child's progress through the stages of play therapy to support positive therapeutic change. 

The child is treated with Unconditional Positive Regard (UPR), and minimal limits are set within the playroom. In everyday life, children often have few opportunities for choice due to safety and time restraints placed on busy parents. Allowing the child to direct the play supports the child's autonomy as they learn to develop emotional regulation and confidence in their own capabilities.