What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a form of Psychotherapy ideal for children; play is a child's natural medium of expression. In therapeutic play, a child can bring their feelings, both conscious and unconscious, to the surface . The play therapy room is a safe contained space where the child can express themselves fully through play without being interpreted. They can just be themselves without judgement, without interpretation, without agenda. The child is treated with respect, is accepted and permitted to do and say what is needed.

Child-centred play therapy is based on the theory that children have the resilience and the capacity to self-direct; the play therapist needs to relate to the child in ways that will assist the child’s own self-healing, creative power. With the right opportunity and environment people have within themselves the ability to heal and develop.

I use an Integrative Holistic Model of Play Therapy making use of non directive and more directive methods. I use creative arts, clay, music, puppets, role play, therapeutic storytelling, lego and sand tray work in the play therapy room.

What the child does in the play room is confidential unless there is a need for a disclosure. By providing a free atmosphere within safe boundaries the adult allows the child complete freedom to express him or herself physically, verbally and with play things. The only rule in the playroom is that the child 'Does not hurt themselves, me or the things around them'.

Some children may respond to short-term intervention (for example 12 sessions), however if problems are more complicated and long-term, then a longer-term intervention will be required.

Gary Landreth lists some broad therapeutic objectives that can be met in child centred play therapy:

Develop a more positive self-concept
Assume greater self-responsibility
Become more self-directing
Become more self-accepting
Become more self-reliant
Engage in self-determined decision making
Experience a feeling of control
Become sensitive of the process of coping
Develop an internal source of evaluation
Become more trusting of him or herself.