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What is play therapy?

 

Play therapy is an  effective evidence-based form of psychotherapy that uses play to help children express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a safe, non-threatening environment. While it is primarily used with children due to their often limited verbal skills and understanding of complex emotions, it can be adapted for teenagers, broadening its applicability. Through play, children can communicate their inner world in a way that feels natural to them.

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Here are some key aspects of play therapy:

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1. Role of Play: Play serves as the child's language. It allows them to express feelings they might not be able to verbalize, such as fear, anger, or confusion. Toys and games are like the words in this language, giving therapists insight into the child's inner world.

2. Therapeutic Techniques: Therapists may use various play activities, such as role-playing, storytelling, drawing, or playing with toys (such as dolls, puppets, or action figures). Through these activities, children reenact or process experiences, which helps them deal with emotional challenges.

3. Emotional and Psychological Healing: Play therapy is often used to help children cope with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, divorce, abuse, neglect or behavioural problems. It offers a safe environment where the child can work through difficulties and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

4. Types of Play Therapy:

   • Directive Play Therapy: The therapist guides the play by suggesting specific activities to address certain issues.

   • Non-directive Play Therapy (or Child-Centered Play Therapy): The child takes the lead in the play, and the therapist observes, offering support and insight without interfering directly.

5. Summary of Play Therapy Outcomes:

• Emotional growth: Improved emotional awareness, expression, and regulation.

• Behavioral change: Reduction in problematic behaviours and increased self-control.

• Social development: Enhanced communication, social skills, and relationships.

• Healing from trauma: Processing traumatic experiences and reducing PTSD symptoms.

• Personal empowerment: Improved self-esteem, problem-solving skills, and resilience.

 

Play therapy meets children where they are emotionally and psychologically and helps them process their inner world in a way that feels natural to them. It provides children with a safe, supportive environment where they can express their emotions, process experiences, and learn to cope with challenges through the familiar and comforting medium of play.

 

What is a BAPT (British Association of Play Therapists) play therapist?

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A BAPT play therapist is trained at a Master level degree and is under BAPT regulations.  This means that I have been thoroughly trained in human development and growth, creating relationship, attachment theory, and humanistic and psychodynamic approaches. I have undergone personal therapy during training and continue throughout my professional life. I am supervised by a BAPT supervisor who ensures I offer the best to the client. I hold an enhanced, up-to-date DBS and safeguarding certificates. I must also follow the BAPT ethical code of practice, which includes, among other obligations, CPD training. You might find other terminologies within play therapy, such as Play Specialist, Play Practitioner, Play therapists and so on. Whichever you decide, please ensure they are registered with their competent body and familiarise yourself with their training to ensure you are getting the best for your child.

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What to expect when you choose Playfulminds Grow?

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When you choose Playfulminds Grow, you can be assured that you are getting a BAPT play therapist. 

 

After our free 20-minute phone conversation, if we are happy to continue, we will book an initial paid meeting with parents/carers to discuss the situation further and answer any questions. This meeting lasts up to one hour. After this meeting, another paid meeting will be arranged with the parents/carers and the child. This meeting lasts up to one clinical hour, which is 50 minutes.

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After these two meetings, informal consent and contract are signed and interventions are booked on a weekly basis.  They last 50 minutes each. Interventions involve at least 12-16 sessions with the child. There are also review meetings with parents. If your child has 12 sessions, there will be two review meetings, one in the middle of the interventions and one at the end. This number increases depending on how many play therapy sessions your child will have.

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Please note that, one of the core principles of play therapy is that the child should not be rushed into the therapeutic process, and each intervention is tailored to each child’s needs. Additionally, a well-thought-out therapeutic ending of play therapy is essential, as stopping play therapy abruptly could bring up past losses for the child, which can affect their transition.

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If you find this is the right path for your child, send me a message to book your 20-minute complimentary, non-obligation phone call to discuss it further. I offer play therapy in The Wellbeing Centre in Teddington (TW11) and in schools. I might be able to offer play therapy at your house if the child is suffering from a severe or terminal illness or if I cannot offer you a slot at the Wellbeing Centre. I do not offer play therapy online.