What is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy
Sometimes it’s difficult to put our feelings into words, even as adults. This is the same for children, only sometimes they do not have the vocabulary to talk about what is going on for them. This is where play comes in. For children, play is one of the most powerful ways of communicating and working things out. Play therapy enables the child or young person to explore their difficulties and understand them, often allowing them to alter their perspective, so that they are less likely to blame themselves for any of the difficulties they are facing.
Who can benefit from Play Therapy ?
Play Therapy is appropriate for children and young people but is most often used with children between 3 and 13 years.
It is recommended for children who have experienced:
- Bed wetting and sleep disturbances
- Separation anxiety and school refusal
- Emotional or behavioural difficulties
- Loss through bereavement, family breakdown or relocation
- Illness, hospitalisation, and disability
- Being a witness to violence or substance abuse
- Cutting and self-harm
- Abuse or neglect
- Trauma due to single incident or prolonged trauma
- Bullying and bullying others
What is a Play Therapist?
Play Therapists are graduates with experience of working with children e.g. teaching, social work, psychology. To be registered as a Play Therapist they must have met the following criteria:
- completion of a PTUK Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy and 200 hours of clinical experience
- on-going clinical supervision of their Play Therapy practice plus regular CPD
- DBS enhanced disclosure
Play Therapists draw on an extensive repertoire of neuroscience, attachment (bonding) and child led, non-directive techniques to more focused interventions to enable the child to reach the targets and goals set for the intervention.
The Play Therapy Tool-kit
Play Therapy uses a variety of methods to encourage a child to explore their inner world and feelings.
Puppets, masks and drama enhances social relationships and self-care enabling the safe release of fears, aggression and frustrations.
The creative arts and clay promote self-expression and provide methods to safely explore stressful or traumatic experiences.
Music, dance and movement enhances communication, improves social skills, and reduces stress.
Sand tray play gives expression to non-verbalised emotional issues and provides a positive sensory experience.
Creative Visualisation helps to create new, positive beliefs, attitudes and behaviours.
Storytelling encourages creativity and allows the story within to find its voice.