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All play is communication and a window into the child's world.  Children often find it hard to express themselves verbally, but are more naturally able to communicate thoughts, feelings and emotions through play.

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Supported by a qualified Play Therapist, trained in mental health and child development, and using toys as words and play as their language, children can examine their troubles and rehearse solutions to their problems, by playing out situations that are troubling them, such as anxieties over parental separation or their experience of being bullied at school.

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Play Therapy is recognised as the psychological intervention of choice for children and young people.

 

Child Centred Play Therapy is a therapeutic approach based on a way of being with the child, rather than directly teaching skills.  Therapist and child communicate through the play, with the therapist following the child's lead. 

 

The Play Therapist first establishes a safe and trusting relationship by conveying unconditional acceptance and empathy to the child.  Children work in a safe and non-threatening environment, and at a self-directed pace, to explore and process feelings that they have not yet had a chance to properly work through.  Freeing the child from the pressure of direct questioning and by following the child's lead, the therapist and child communicate through the play.  The therapist supports the child to understand and accept emotional content that arises, find solutions and develop coping strategies to support long-term positive mental health and wellbeing.