What is Play Therapy?

What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a mental health intervention for children aged between 4-14 years old.

Play therapy acknowledges that sometimes it is hard to put into words how children feel about their challenging emotions and experiences, and therefore allows them to communicate through play and creative arts activities by working with a qualified play therapist.

What is a Play Therapist?

A play therapist is a trained professional who is able to provide a safe place for children to process their challenging feelings and experiences through play and creative arts.

Play Therapists in the UK will train through Play Therapy UK (PTUK) or the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) and hold membership to either organisation. Play Therapists are required to hold to these organisations’ standards, including following ethical principles, and a commitment to regular supervision and professional development.

For more information, please visit www.playtherapy.org.uk

What does a Play Therapist do?

Play therapists support children in processing their past trauma or challenging feelings in a safe environment. As a play therapist, Anna offers children:

• A safe and friendly environment

• The opportunity to focus on what is most important to them in a way that does not rush them

• The opportunity to find their own solutions, so that lasting change is possible

• A confidential space

How does play therapy help?

Play therapy acknowledges that children often play what is on their mind. By creating a safe space for children to play out what is important to them, the play therapist is able to support their process so that children can safely explore what they need to. A playroom is equipped with a number of different tools, including sand, mini-figures, construction toys, art resources, musical instruments, games, clay, books and role-play toys. This means that each child’s process will look different, but ultimately it gives children the opportunities to process their experience, understand their emotions, build their self-esteem and build up positive experiences.

What does play therapy help with?

There is a wide range of reasons why children attend play therapy; below are a few examples:

• Lack of Confidence

• Nightmares

• Separated/Divorced Parents

• Social Exclusion 

• Trauma 

• Withdrawn Personality

• Abuse (Emotional, Physical, Sexual)

• Anger 

• Attachment Issues 

• Behaviour Problems 

• Bereavement/Loss 

• Bullied/Bullies 

• Communication Problems

• Family Relationship Problems

Can play therapy help with ADHD or ASC?

Play therapy can support children with ADHD or ASC but it is extremely important to highlight that while these conditions might be a factor in a referral, they are not necessarily the reason. Anna provides a neurodivergent affirming practice and is only able to work with children with such conditions if they have a mental health need.

What is involved with play therapy?

• First, Anna will invite you to attend a meeting to discuss your child’s needs. This will allow you and Anna to get to know each other and decide if play therapy is the right intervention for your child. If you decide to go ahead, during or after this meeting, you will be asked to complete some intake forms, including a strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). Before sessions start, Anna will discuss review dates, which are usually after ten sessions.

• Your child will be invited for their own introduction session. Generally, children come to this appointment alone, but you are welcome to attend at your child's request. During this session, Anna will explain confidentiality and how the sessions work, and offer your child the opportunity to complete a child-friendly questionnaire about what they consider their strengths and difficulties to be.

• Your child will attend sessions weekly. There is a waiting room on site that you are welcome to use. Sessions will continue until agreed review dates.

• You will then be invited to a review meeting to discuss progress and next steps. At this point, we will discuss whether your child would benefit from further sessions. If continuing, another review date will be agreed upon.

• Endings are a really important part of your child’s process. When the time comes, your child’s last session will be a celebration of everything they have achieved. During this session, your child will be able to take home anything they have made during their time in the playroom that they would like to keep.

How much does Play Therapy Cost?

Prices are available on request. Sessions can be paid for weekly by BACs or via a monthly invoice. Anna does not charge for most parent meetings.

Can Play Therapists work in schools?

Many play therapists work in schools. Anna is currently able to offer a limited number of sessions to schools, but all parent referrals take place in her office in West Swindon. If you are a school interested in Play Therapy, please do get in touch via the contact page.