What is Play Therapy?
Child centred play therapy is a form of counselling used with children and young people. Play is a child’s natural form of expression and is vital to every child’s holistic development. Play Therapy allows children to communicate their thoughts and feelings in a safe and supported space and at their own pace. Children often don’t have the language to talk about their experiences or what’s worrying them and so play therapy provides children with a space to communicate at their own level. Children can also learn to manage conflicts and relationships in more appropriate ways.
At Just Bee Children’s Centre we believe that healing and transformation takes place as a result of the therapeutic relationship that exists between the child and the play therapist. This relationship is based on trust and a fundamental belief that children have the inner resources to solve their own difficulties when given time and support. Play Therapy is suitable for children from two and a half years onwards and can also be an effective intervention for adolescents.
Play Therapy International
The play therapist works with the child using a variety of toys and therapeutic aids including:
- Creative Visualisation
- Therapeutic Storytelling
- Sand Play and Miniatures
- Puppets & Masks
- Painting & Drawing
- Clay & Playdough
- Music
- Dance & Movement
- Drama
Play Therapy can be effective for children experiencing a broad range of difficulties including:
- Emotional Difficulties – anxiety, low self-esteem, withdrawn, angry
- Behavioural Difficulties – temper tantrums, acting out
- Loss or bereavement
- Experiences of illness or hospitalisation
- Parental Separation
- ASD, ADHD or any learning difficulty
- Poor social skills
- Trauma
- Abuse or neglect
- Attachment & bonding issues
- Being bullied or has become a bully
