THERAPY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

According to the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT), play therapy lets children sort through complicated feelings and “use play to communicate at their own level and at their own pace, without feeling interrogated or threatened” (British Association of Play Therapists).

Play therapy can be non-directive, for example allowing the child or young person to choose and play with sand to relieve stress. It can also, be directive, for example where a client will be facilitated to tell a story about a family, past event etc by using puppets to explore more in depth about the client’s family dynamics, repressed feelings about a past event or trauma etc.

Play therapy is adapted to each client’s need, for instance young children play differently than adolescents and adults. Therefore, the aim of play therapy is to allow the client to be made to feel, safe, acknowledged, accepted, valued, respected etc. This process will encourage the client to feel comfortable, where they may be able to explore their inner feelings more, therefore may be able and willing to express themselves. My aim is to facilitate, support you to express these feelings, thoughts, concerns etc and support you to communicate them.

Play therapy helps children in particular, as this may help to process what they might find difficult to put into words. My aim is to support you to develop strategies to cope, to self-regulate, communicate and feel better about yourself. I may use various objects of play, this might include toys, musical instrument, paints, crafts, sand, water, story-telling, crayons, musical instruments and puppets giving the opportunity to express difficult emotions, thoughts and feelings through play. 

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How does play therapy benefit?

Through play therapy, children and young people will be able to learn to communicate with others, express feelings, learn to change your behaviour, develop problem-solving skills and develop various strategies to be able to relate to others in a positive way. Furthermore, play therapy provides a safe psychological distance from your own issues and allows you to express your thoughts and feelings appropriate to your development.

Furthermore, the use of metaphors provides opportunity for children and young people in play therapy. Metaphors allows the client to project self and project their experience on to another object, this being less threatening for them. Metaphors are perceived as means of communication which affects the unconscious mind. In order for this to take place I will provide a safe, non-judgemental environment for play therapy to naturally happen. Play therapy gives the client the opportunity to express and explore most inner deep-seated emotions, to reveal them, discuss and understand them, to collaboratively work through any traumatic experiences and concerns.

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Play therapy may be particularly beneficial for:

• Low self-esteem, self-belief, self-worth

• Poor confidence

• Anger issues

• Challenging, misunderstood behaviours

• Worries, anxiety

• Relationship, friendships issues

• Bereavement, loss, separation or divorce

• Bullying, peer pressure

• Poor communication skills

• Trauma

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Which provides opportunity for them to set their own goals, work at their own pace, opportunity to make sense of their own issues and be able to voice their concerns. The aim is that the individual is supported to explore their own strategies for coping, that they are encouraged to grow, self-actualise and be able to reach their own full potential.

Sometimes as parents or carers, even though we try our best to provide a listening caring approach, a young person may be able to express themselves more freely with the support of a counsellor. My support will encourage self-awareness, self-realisation, to explore the past, present and future. I will provide individual tailored approaches, using evidence based theoretical understanding to meet each individual, diverse need.