Therapeutic Play
What Is It
Therapeutic Play is a method of therapy for children who are experiencing mild to moderate social, emotional or behavioural difficulties. As play is the child’s natural medium of self-expression, this therapeutic process allows children to help themselves overcome difficulties as they play out their feelings and struggles in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space.
How It Helps
Therapeutic Play can help with bereavement and loss, separated or divorced parents, behavioural problems at home or school, social or emotional problems, bullies or bullied children, children who are withdrawn or have angry outbursts, experience bedwetting, nightmares and/or stress and anxieties.
Sessions
Each session is 45 minutes long. The sessions take place at the same day and time every week. It is important for the parent and child to commit to this as consistency is vital in the therapeutic process. As the child’s own opinion and needs are an important part of the therapy process, the child needs to present at every meeting.
Equipment Used
The tools that are used in the playroom include sand play, creative visual arts, clay, puppetry, movement, music, creative visualisation and therapeutic storytelling.
The Difference
Therapeutic Play is a non-directive method of therapy, utilising creative arts that can be used to help children experiencing mild to moderate difficulties
Why Play
As play is the child’s natural medium of self-expression, traditional talking therapies are not as effective as play can be when used in a therapeutic setting.
“Imaginative play can make for a happy childhood.”
- Jerome Singer -“Enter into children’s play and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet.”
- Virginia Axline -“We worry about what a child will be tomorrow, yet we forget he is someone today.”
- Stacia Tauscher -“When we make Play the foundation of learning, we teach the Whole child.”
- Vince Gowmon -“A solitary fantasy can transform one million realities.”
- Maya Angelou -