Play Therapy is a Person-Centred therapeutic intervention which provides a child the opportunity to make sense of their world using their natural medium – play. It can be tricky for children to express their feelings and describe how past experiences may have impacted them, by using words. This is why play therapy is a recognised form of psychotherapy as it provides the child with different ways to communicate.
Through carefully selected play materials such as sand, water, music, creative arts, role play and small world a child can build on their self-esteem, relationships, resilience, confidence, problem solving and work through any struggles they may have in their life, within an environment built on trust, empathy, respect and acceptance which helps for a therapeutic change.
Who is it for?
Play Therapy is for children aged 4-18yrs.
There are many reasons a child may work with a play therapist:
- Loss and bereavement
- Family breakdown
- Withdrawn behaviour
- Anxiety/stress, phobias
- Struggles with peer relationships
- Low self-esteem/confidence
- OCD type behaviour/control issues
- Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD)
- Hyperactivity/difficulty in concentrating in the classroom setting
- Communication difficulties e.g. selective mutism
- Adopted or long-term looked after children (LAC)
- Violent verbal/physical outbursts
- Sudden changes in behaviours
- Nightmares/disturbed sleep
- Attachment difficulties
Referrals
A Journey Through Play accepts referrals from parents/carer, teachers, GP’s, social workers, adoption support and other professionals.
Please note written consent will be required from the parent/carer before the play therapy begins.