Who might benefit from play therapy?
Sometimes children need help with things that are troubling them. This may be due to problems at school such as a lack of self-confidence, difficulties with peer relationships and bullying, or difficulties at home due to family breakdown, prolonged illness, bereavement, moving house or witnessing a traumatic event.
Children react to problems like these in different ways; some internalise their difficulties resulting in anxiety, fear, depression, trouble with eating or sleeping or selective mutism. Others externalise their problems resulting in challenging behaviour, aggression, defiance, controlling or destructive conduct.
How does play therapy work?
As with adults it helps children when they can communicate about and express things that are disturbing them, but most children tend to be uncomfortable talking directly and prefer non-verbal means of expression such as playing or the use of art materials. Play Therapy can provide this; it allows children to explore and express the feelings that are troubling them within a safe space and with an accepting, understanding adult, the play therapist. Using toys and materials that engender free expression children are able, with the help of a supportive adult, to begin to make sense of their experiences and process their feelings. Children are able to direct their own play in ways which touch on their problems and help them to sort out muddled feelings; the therapist is there to be with and support them in this process.
The effects of play therapy may be general, such as a reduction in anxiety and raised self-esteem, or more specific, for instance changes in behaviour and improved relationships with family and friends. Most children find play therapy helpful and respond well.
Play therapy takes place over time. After an initial consultation with the parent, the child will normally have an initial 6 sessions followed by a review with the parent. Further sessions will be conducted as thought necessary, with regular reviews. Some children are able to find help within a relatively short period of time such as 12 sessions, others will need considerably longer.
Sometimes children need help with things that are troubling them. This may be due to problems at school such as a lack of self-confidence, difficulties with peer relationships and bullying, or difficulties at home due to family breakdown, prolonged illness, bereavement, moving house or witnessing a traumatic event.
Children react to problems like these in different ways; some internalise their difficulties resulting in anxiety, fear, depression, trouble with eating or sleeping or selective mutism. Others externalise their problems resulting in challenging behaviour, aggression, defiance, controlling or destructive conduct.
How does play therapy work?
As with adults it helps children when they can communicate about and express things that are disturbing them, but most children tend to be uncomfortable talking directly and prefer non-verbal means of expression such as playing or the use of art materials. Play Therapy can provide this; it allows children to explore and express the feelings that are troubling them within a safe space and with an accepting, understanding adult, the play therapist. Using toys and materials that engender free expression children are able, with the help of a supportive adult, to begin to make sense of their experiences and process their feelings. Children are able to direct their own play in ways which touch on their problems and help them to sort out muddled feelings; the therapist is there to be with and support them in this process.
The effects of play therapy may be general, such as a reduction in anxiety and raised self-esteem, or more specific, for instance changes in behaviour and improved relationships with family and friends. Most children find play therapy helpful and respond well.
Play therapy takes place over time. After an initial consultation with the parent, the child will normally have an initial 6 sessions followed by a review with the parent. Further sessions will be conducted as thought necessary, with regular reviews. Some children are able to find help within a relatively short period of time such as 12 sessions, others will need considerably longer.
How am I involved as the parent?
Parents are involved in the therapy through regular reviews and are kept informed of their child’s progress. Details of the sessions are kept confidential so that the child knows they have their own space to explore feelings, thoughts and events. This is important in order to maintain the child's trust and feelings of safety with the therapist.
There are occasions when it is best for the parent to be in the playroom with the child for the play therapy session. This is usually when the child is very young and is finding separation from his mother or father difficult. In this case the therapist can direct the parent in the best way to act in the room so as to allow the child to express themselves and explore their feelings. It may also be helpful to engage in some child-led play sessions as detailed elsewhere on this site.
What support is available for me as a parent?
I recommend that all parents seeking play therapy for their child attend the Circle of Security parenting course. If parents feel supported and helped themselves, they then have an invaluable asset to offer their child: their relationship with them. A secure relationship between parent and child is the best resource available to children to help them through their difficulties. The Circle of Security offers ways to strengthen and support this very important relationship.
Where does the play therapy take place?
I have a playroom in South West London where I offer play therapy sessions and child-led play sessions.
Testimonial
“Tessa is worth her weight in gold. She gained a rapport with my daughter very quickly, was gentle and observant in her approach and helped me to see things from a different, most notably, my daughter’s perspective. I would recommend her to anyone thinking of child therapy.”
Cost
Please see costs page
Parents are involved in the therapy through regular reviews and are kept informed of their child’s progress. Details of the sessions are kept confidential so that the child knows they have their own space to explore feelings, thoughts and events. This is important in order to maintain the child's trust and feelings of safety with the therapist.
There are occasions when it is best for the parent to be in the playroom with the child for the play therapy session. This is usually when the child is very young and is finding separation from his mother or father difficult. In this case the therapist can direct the parent in the best way to act in the room so as to allow the child to express themselves and explore their feelings. It may also be helpful to engage in some child-led play sessions as detailed elsewhere on this site.
What support is available for me as a parent?
I recommend that all parents seeking play therapy for their child attend the Circle of Security parenting course. If parents feel supported and helped themselves, they then have an invaluable asset to offer their child: their relationship with them. A secure relationship between parent and child is the best resource available to children to help them through their difficulties. The Circle of Security offers ways to strengthen and support this very important relationship.
Where does the play therapy take place?
I have a playroom in South West London where I offer play therapy sessions and child-led play sessions.
Testimonial
“Tessa is worth her weight in gold. She gained a rapport with my daughter very quickly, was gentle and observant in her approach and helped me to see things from a different, most notably, my daughter’s perspective. I would recommend her to anyone thinking of child therapy.”
Cost
Please see costs page
