What Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy clay modelPlay is a child’s natural medium for self expression and is essential for healthy development. Play Therapy is a method of helping children with behavioural and emotional problems to help themselves through ‘playing out’ their feelings and problems.

 

The time spent with the therapist is referred to as ‘special time’ and is non-judgmental and non-directive.  The child is neither praised nor blamed and there is no judgment, no right or wrong.  By providing a free atmosphere within safe boundaries the therapist allows the child complete freedom to express him/herself physically, verbally and with play things.

Who Can Benefit From Play Therapy?

Play therapy is best suited to younger children up to age 6, although there are some cases where it is suitable for older children.  Play therapy can help children who are experiencing or have experienced:

bullet Anxiety, stress, or phobias
bullet Emotional, physical or sexual abuse
bullet Adoption or fostering
bullet Parental separation
bullet Loss or bereavement of any kind
bullet Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
bullet Friendship or peer issues including bullying or being bullied
bullet Unwillingness to play

The Play Therapy Tool Kit

The play therapy toolkit includes story-telling props such as puppets and masks, art materials including paint, sand and clay, and music, drama and dance.  The cmbination used will depend on the child’s own creative preferences.

Play Therapy Sand Tray

 

 

 

 

 

 

 More Information About Play Therapy

Much of current play therapy practice is based upon the work of Virginia Axline, including Axline’s Basic Principles of Non-Directive Play Therapy

For more information about play therapy please visit Play Therapy United Kingdom