What is Play Therapy?
Unlike talk therapy, children do not have to talk about what is going on for them in Play Therapy. Instead, they use creative mediums such as sand, art, clay, music or movement to explore their feelings and emotions. With the support of the Play Therapist, children can work through a wide range of difficult life experiences and develop skills that can be brought into their every day lives.
Who May Benefit from Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is suitable for any child between the ages of 4-12 years who is finding emotions, relationships, or life events a little challenging, and for children presenting with a wide range of emotional and behavioural difficulties.
The following are common reasons for referrals to Play Therapy:
Trauma & Loss
Separation or divorce
Bereavement or grief
Traumatic or frightening experiences
Attachment difficulties
Family or Life Changes
New siblings
Parental stress or illness
Moving house or school
Emotional Regulation
Anxiety or excessive worry
Difficulty managing emotions
Sleep/Toileting Difficulties
Toileting difficulties such as withholding stool
Night terrors or frequent nightmares/night waking
Behavioural Difficulties
Behavioural difficulties at home or at school
Self Esteem & Confidence
Low confidence or self-belief
School/Activity-Related Difficulties
School refusal or worrying about school
Refusal to attend extra-curricular activities/hobbies
Bullying/being bullied or friendship/social difficulties
Transition to secondary school or moving school/class