So, what does a play therapist do?
Exactly what a play therapist will do during the treatment programme will be largely determined by the child’s individual needs, the nature of the concerns raised by the referring party, and whether or not the child is also engaged with other professional health or welfare services.
The first thing your play therapist will do is to gather as much information about the child and their circumstances as possible. Either through face-to-face meetings or telephone consultations if more convenient, the therapist’s initial job is to:
- Give you an open platform to speak freely about your concerns
- Gain an understanding of the child’s history and background
- Identify the stresses the family has been under in order to help the child to make sense of them
- Learn about the child’s strengths, not just their difficulties
- ADHD
- Abuse
- Grief
- Family breakdown
- Domestic violence
- Trauma
Following the initial assessment, your therapist may also:
- Seek information from the school or other significant adults in the child’s life
- Gain an understanding of the child’s history and background
- Work alongside other professionals
- Suggest referrals for additional interventions to ensure the correct support level
- Recommend support for other family members
Every child play therapist knows that building a strong and trusting relationship with their client is key. For therapy to be its most effective, and for the child to feel able to express their emotions, thoughts and feelings, the therapist must ensure that they feel:
- Safe
- Comfortable
- respected
- Understood
The play therapist will watch as the child plays and reflect their actions and feelings, joining in where invited to by the child.
As a fully qualified and BAPT accredited play therapist, I’m trained to use play as a means of understanding and communicating with children about feelings, thoughts and behaviour.
When we work together, I’ll offer my full support and assistance throughout the process, helping you to decide what to tell the child about their play therapy, and how to answer any questions they may have.
If you have any further questions about play therapy and how it could help a young person in your life, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 0330 900 0080.
