Play Therapy is a time when children get to play out the experiences they cannot put into words. A Play Therapist (specialist child counsellor) works alongside them to help them make sense of these difficult, confusing or distressing memories.

Children have a wonderful capacity to cope, adjust and to make sense of life. But they often have difficulty expressing in words how they feel and how experiences have affected them.
The toys in the playroom are specifically chosen to allow the child to experience their life in play, and with the assistance of the therapist, to find a workable solution to their difficulties and grow.
The playroom resources help children gain insight and enables problem-solving processes.

The child chooses their own activities, and sets the pace and content of their sessions. They are not directed by questions, or asked to do things. They don't even have to talk as their play communicates for them. The play therapist is trained to enter the child's world of play and follow the child's lead, to participate in the play at the child's invitation or direction. The play therapist builds a relationship of trust with the child, provides emotional support and a place of safety. Child-centered play therapy allows children to:
    express a wide range of feelings              express creativity
    explore real-life experiences                     develop self-control
    develop self-understanding                       find appropriate ways of coping
    develop a positive self-image                    take responsibility for their choices
    control their behaviour

Find out more about how you can use similar skills at home to support your child