What is Play Therapy?

The play therapist supports the child by means of carefully selected techniques to become aware of and to express their own emotions and thoughts. The play therapist provides a warm, safe and secure environment in which the child is free to explore all the things around them, and the child leads the session. The therapist is fully trained to observe, and then deal with, any sudden expression of emotion, and can contain and hold such feelings for the child until they are ready to explore this further.

Through play therapy and the guidance and skills of the therapist, the child is helped to an awareness of what he or she is feeling, and opportunity is given for expression of those feelings. Throughout the play therapy, the child is supported and encouraged to learn more about themselves.

Can it help my child?

The answer is yes if your child is experiencing difficulty with any aspect of school or home life or if their behaviour is giving cause for concern.