About Play Therapy

Who can benefit from Play Therapy?

  • Play therapy is suitable for children aged between 2.5 and 12 years old. Therapy can benefit children who are experiencing difficulties in their lives such as:
  • Family changes due to separation
  • ​Moving house
  • Loss and grief (family, friends or pets)
  • Disability or chronic illness in the family
  • Sibling rivalry
  • Trauma from pregnancy or birth
  • Making or maintaining relationships

  • If a child is worried about something, they are often unable to express their thoughts and feelings. This cause them to appear:
  • ​Sad, angry, fearful, withdrawn
  • Rebellious, disruptive
  • Inattentive
  • Unable to cope

  • They might present behavioural or emotional difficulties as a result of their experiences such as:
  • Eating or sleeping difficulties​
  • Social difficulties at home, school or with friends.
  • Children aged 2.5-12yrs
  • Changes in family life
  • Birth trauma
  • Big emotions

Benefits of Play Therapy

Benefits for children who experience play therapy include:
  • Increased self-esteem
  • Emotional regulation
  • Self-efficacy
  • Self-acceptance
  • Responsibility
  • Emotional literacy
  • Problem solving skills

What happens in Play Therapy?

Play therapy happens over several sessions, once a week at the same time and place. The number of sessions will depend on the needs of the child. Each session is held in a special playroom and lasts 45 minutes. In the playroom the child chooses their own activities, sets the pace and content of their sessions and is not directed by questions or asked to do things. The play therapist is trained to enter the child's world of play and follows the child's lead, participating in the play at the child's direction. Child-centred play therapy allows children to express creativity, feelings and real-life experiences and develop their self-control, self-understanding and a positive self-image.
  • 45 minute sessions
  • Once a week
  • Minimum 16 sessions
  • Regular parent catch-ups
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