Elephant and the Dove

Fees/Booking

Events

Our Team

What is Art Therapy?

About

Home

Contact

Play Therapy

Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is primarily used with children but can also be adapted for adolescents and adults. It is based on the understanding that children often have difficulty expressing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through traditional talk therapy alone, so play is used as a medium of communication.

Here are some key elements of play therapy:

Child-Centred Approach

Play therapy is child-centred, meaning it focuses on the child's needs, emotions, and concerns. The therapist creates a safe and nonjudgmental environment where the child feels comfortable expressing themselves through play.

Therapeutic Toys & Materials

Play therapists provide a variety of toys, games, and art materials that allow children to choose how they want to communicate. These materials may include dolls, action figures, art supplies, puppets, board games, sand trays, and more.

Symbolic Expression

Children use play to represent their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Through play, they can act out scenarios, explore emotions, and process difficult or traumatic events in a way that is less intimidating than direct conversation.

Therapeutic Relationship

The therapist establishes a trusting and empathetic relationship with the child, which is crucial for the success of play therapy. This relationship provides a secure base for the child to explore their inner world and develop problem-solving skills.

Goals & Objectives

Like other forms of therapy, play therapy has specific goals and objectives. These may include helping the child cope with trauma, improve social skills, manage emotions, and develop healthier behaviours and relationships.

Parent Involvement

In many cases, parents or caregivers are involved in the play therapy process. They may participate in parent-child sessions, receive guidance on how to support their child's emotional growth, and learn strategies for effective communication and discipline.

Varied Approaches

There are different approaches to play therapy, including child-centred play therapy, cognitive-behavioural play therapy, and gestalt play therapy, among others. The approach used depends on the child's unique needs and the therapist's training.

Assessment & Evaluation

Play therapists continually assess and evaluate a child's progress throughout the therapy process, adjusting interventions as needed to meet the child's changing needs.

Play therapy can be beneficial for children dealing with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioural problems, grief, and adjustment difficulties. It provides a developmentally appropriate and engaging way for children to work through their challenges and build emotional resilience. Trained and licensed play therapists use their expertise to help children navigate their inner world and develop healthier coping strategies.

Get in touch