“Play is our brain’s favourite way of learning” - Diane Ackerman
PLAY THERAPY
3 year old to 12 year old
What is Play Therapy?
Play is a very natural and vital part of a child’s life, and how they express themselves, especially if don’t have the vocabulary to do this effectively. Play is an integral part of how children develop many of their life skills and plays an important role in brain development.
It helps physical abilities such a motor skills, coordination and movement. Children can learn social skills such as sharing, communication, self-expression and compassion. Emotionally they can experience enjoyment, fulfilment, excitement, curiosity, contentment as well as practicing self-regulation and resilience.
Cognitively, children can improve problem solving skills, creativity, decision making, abstract thought, understanding things from someone else’s perspective.
The child can improve their use of language, focused attention, story-telling, literacy skills, memory and self-esteem.
In a Play Therapy session, the Therapist uses the many benefits of play to work with concerns such as enhancing self-expression, by developing the ability to play at the average level for the child’s age.
We also focus on developing empathy, self-competence and a sense of self.
Expertly directed play can be utilised as a way to process stressful and traumatic life events.
Play has the ability to improve relationships and give a child a sense of control and empowerment. It can be cathartic, and a fun and positive experience.
The therapist is able to offer the child one hour of undivided attention with a focus of offering them a space of total acceptance, positive regard, no expectations, understanding, calmness and the skills to help the child process and manage current difficulties in their life and past traumas.