Why Play Therapy?

Play Therapy sessions provide 1:1 therapeutic support for weekly 50 minute sessions to help children express their feelings, process difficulties, and make sense of their experiences. Children may find it especially difficult to talk about their feelings and Play Therapy offers a safe space where they may use play as their natural language of expression. In sessions, the child may choose from a range of play equipment, including toys, art materials and musical instruments to express themselves through play. Play Therapy is child-centred and meets the child where they are and helps them to thrive and develop at their own pace.

After the uncertainty, loss and disruption many of us have experienced during the pandemic, the mental health of children is more important than ever. Many children have felt isolated, anxious and distressed and now feel left behind and face difficulties in adjusting to “normal” life again. This is in addition to any other difficult life events or challenges you and your child may have faced. In Play Therapy, your child can communicate their feelings and needs through the play to help make sense of muddled feelings and upsetting events, with the support of the therapist to help keep them regulated and safe.

Play Therapy can aid children to understand their feelings and thoughts, learn to self-regulate and to manage relationships and conflict appropriately, and process traumatic or difficult life events in order to make sense of their past and cope better with their future.

Please view the BAPT website for additional information - Info for Professionals & Employers - The British Association of Play Therapists (bapt.info) or https://www.bapt.info/play-therapy/info-parents/.