WHAT IS PLAY THEraPY?

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. 

In the initial assessment session, the therapist may undertake a range of play therapy assessments depending on the age of the child and presenting concerns. This may include assessing the child’s spontaneous pretend play skills, or art-based assessments. 

Play therapy assessments support the therapist to develop their clinical knowledge on areas such as attachment, family relationships and any possible presenting emotional challenges from the child or parent’s perspective. 

Additionally, play therapy assessments assist the therapist in formulating an individualised therapeutic intervention that is developmentally appropriate and strength based.  For further information on play therapy assessments click below. 

Play therapy is diverse, there are many different dimensions of play therapy and therapeutic play that can assist in supporting children and their families. This includes directive play therapy, Humanistic or child-directed play therapy, integrative approaches that include a combination of modalities, or Filial Family Play Therapy. 

Play therapy sessions are created to support the individual needs of the child and their family. Sessions are formulated from the developmental and play information gathered in the initial intake meeting, education observation and assessment session. This assists the therapist to confidently provide a modality of play therapy that is going to be beneficial to support the child and their family.