Frequently Asked Questions

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Play Therapy is a form of therapy that allows children to explore their difficulties and understand the feelings they have inside them.  In play therapy, children are empowered with choice. ​Choice provides a sense of control and autonomy. 

Children are free to choose from a variety of creative media, which includes art materials, clay, dance, movement, games, percussion instruments, playdough, puppets, role-play, stories and a therapeutic sand tray.  Creative opportunities can free children to express themselves deeply.

Sometimes there’s fun and laughter, sometimes there isn’t; but play should not be underestimated.
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The therapist accepts and respects the views of the child, this brings growth in independence and resilience. 

Play is a child’s natural way of experimenting, learning, rehearsing, and mixing real with fantasy.

It is an integral part of childhood and  physical, cognitive and social development, and is a vital part of all our lives whatever our age. Using play as the medium to express themselves and what they are experiencing, makes sense to children. Through play, children can discover and rehearse different ways of understanding and coping with difficult feelings, leading to a healthier and happier way of being.
 

One fundamental advantage to play therapy is that it is not talk-based; the play does the talking.  Children often find it difficult to express themselves verbally, usually because they haven’t yet developed sufficient language skills and adults sometimes find this frustrating.  Through play therapy children can play what they struggle to say.  

​As they move through the therapeutic journey  with opportunities to explore, work through and make sense of things, the child feels listened to and understood.  Frustrations ease, the child learns to manage their feelings better and a soothed and happier child emerges.  

Children will be able to play with a wide range of resources that will be made ready for them each week including art and crafting materials, clay, dressing-up and role play props, musical instruments, sand and water, puppets, miniature figures, games and construction toys.  

The child will have the freedom to do whatever they would like to in the playroom for the 40 minute session and the therapist will let the child explore and  lead the play most of the time. As the therapy journey progresses, the therapist may introduce some guided activities if they feel it would be of benefit.
 

Over the first few sessions your child will begin to forge a relationship with their therapist and experience the consistency of the session and its predictable boundaries.  The aim being that this will enable them to use the time and the therapist’s knowledge, to express themselves in their own way.
 

Play therapy sessions cost £40 each.   
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This price includes the referral assessment, intake and  end meetings with professionals and parents/carers, progress meetings and all play resources used in sessions. Therapy summary reports or full clinical reports (at the end of therapy) can be provided at an additional fee. 

Every child is different and they need to be given enough time to work through big feelings – a process that cannot be rushed.  A short term episode of Play Therapy requires a minimum of 12 sessions but if problems have been present for a long time or involve complex emotional distress or trauma,  longer-term therapy would be more suitable.

Client progress is reviewed individually and the decision to continue or end therapy is taken collectively, using therapist, parent/carer, teacher and the child’s opinions.  Once the ending point is agreed (several weeks in advance), the therapist helps the child to manage their feelings around ending, to avoid it being a negative experience. 

 Play therapy is often fantastic at supporting primary aged children (4-11 years); and because it meets individuals where they are, chronological age is not hugely significant.

​Play therapy can be effective in reaching children with special educational needs or disability (SEND), speech difficulties, English as Additional Language (EAL), selective mutism or younger children, because play and creativity is the communication.  Surprisingly, language skills may even improve as a result.

Play therapy can help clients with the following difficulties or experiences:

• ​Abuse or domestic violence (experience of or witness to)
• Academic under achievement
• Anger or rage
• Anxiety 
• Attachment insecurities
• ADHD
• Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Behaviour challenges
• Bereavement or loss
• Developmental Delay
• Experience or wi of domestic violence
• English as an Additional Language (EAL)
• Family tension or separation
• Life shifts that are hard to come-to-terms with
• Low-self esteem​
• Medical diagnosis that leads to emotional distress
• Neglect
• Oppositional Disorders
• Problems with peer relationships
• Special Educational Needs (SEND)
• Trauma

Just like adult therapy, play therapy is confidential – so only the client and therapist are in the room.  Therapy allows the client freedom to safely express themselves without inhibition.  The therapy room is safe because there is no one else present. At review meetings or in written reports the play therapist may mention themes observed in the child's play and discuss any changes noticed but they will not disclose specific details of what the child has played with.

Play Therapists are trained to ensure that your child remains safe at all times and always work in the best interest of the child.  

Therapists will never withhold information if they believe a child is at risk. If they ever become concerned about a child’s safety or well-being, they have a duty  to report concerns to the relevant safeguarding and child protection professional.   

As with all therapies, play therapists regularly undertake Clinical Supervision – a professional and confidential dialogue with a more advanced therapist to enhance their understanding of their client's needs. All documentation regarding clients is kept in accordance with current GDPR guidelines.