FAQ

Play Therapy is the use of specific and varied toys to help children to communicate, express feelings, heal and ‘release’ pent up emotions such as anger, anxiety, sadness, fear, worry, stress, etc.

Toys are to children what words are to adults. Adults can make meaning out of words, thus talking and processing thoughts on a cognitive level. We help your child through play.

Play therapy is a method of therapy that uses play to uncover and deal with psychological issues with a therapist  conducting the sessions,

Filial therapy, the parent is present and coached on how conducts sessions themselves.

Some children will respond to a short term intervention (for example up to 12 sessions). However, when problems have persisted for a long time or are complicated a longer-term intervention may be required. In these circumstances some Play Therapists have worked with children for two years or more.

Sessions are usually once a week and consistency on a regular day and at the same time and place is very important for developing a trusting relationship. Unplanned missed sessions may disrupt the progress.

Be open minded to Play Therapy and the methods that are used in the process.

You are very important in supporting your child through the process.

Resist the urge to ask your child what they did, as this will put pressure on them to comment on something they may have difficulty understanding themselves.
Please don’t ask your child to ‘be good’ or check they have been. Therapy is not about being ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and your child must feel free to express ‘bad’ feelings in an uncensored way.
Don’t insist that your child tell certain things: it is their time and they must feel free to express themselves at their own pace. Instead tell your concerns to the Play Therapist on a separate occasion.
Play can be messy and it is helpful if your child can wear old clothes to minimise their anxiety about this.