Northern Rivers Counselling & Child Centred Play Therapy

WHAT IS PLAY THERAPY?

Play Therapy is a gentle, non-directive and non-judgemental method of therapy for children aged between 2 – 11 years. Play Therapy helps children communicate their inner experiences through the use of toys, creative resources and play. Within a therapeutic relationship and a safe environment, children have the freedom to explore, process, and express their inner world. It is based on the belief that children possess the internal drive to achieve wellness. Conventional talking therapies may be inappropriate for children and young people who struggle to find to find the words to express themselves.

Adverse childhood experiences in the early years can impact negatively on a wide range of future outcomes for children. Early intervention has become a distinct feature of positive transformational outcomes for children as they develop into young adults.

Play Therapy is a creative counselling intervention that provides children with opportunities to explore and resolve troubling thoughts, feelings, experiences and worries in developmentally appropriate ways. Play Therapy provides healing for hurts and sadness, breaks down tension, and releases pent-up urges for self-expression. Play Therapy has a strong theory base and a substantial body of evidence that supports it as a recognised effective psychological intervention.

Play is an integral part of childhood occurring at all times, in all places, across all cultures. Play is a unique medium that facilitates the development of expressive language, communication skills, emotional development, social skills, decision-making skilss, and cognitive development. Play is a medium for exploring interpersonal relationships, experimenting with adult roles, and understanding one’s own feelings. Play is a complete form of self-expression.

The benefits of play have been studied across the decades by many developmental psychologists and theorists. Play has been described as a form of letting go, merging freely into experience, and immersing oneself totally in the moment. Play is free-form, opening and expanding in unexpected and unpredictable ways. Play is self-directed and spontaneous, it provides internal rewards of self-expression and discovery of one’s own capabilities. Play provides opportunities for creating model situations where children can master reality by experimenting and planning. Energy, life, spirit, surprise, awakening, renewal are all qualities of play.

There are many situations and experiences throughout childhood where children feel they have little or no control. Play is a way for children to to work through accompanying feelings of anxiety and fear, and reestablish a sense of control in their lives. Through Play Therapy children express outwardly what has taken place, and what is taking place inwardly. Through this process children resolve conflicts and growth occurs.

WENDY TAYLOR - NORTHERN RIVERS COUNSELLING AND CHILD CENTRED PLAY THERAPY 0458222981

SUPPORTING CHILDREN AS THEY DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM, RESILIENCE AND A MOVEMENT TOWARDS HEALING.

PLAY THERAPY HELPS CHILDREN EXPRESS THEIR INNER EXPERIENCES. TOYS ARE THE CHILD’S WORDS AND PLAY IS THEIR LANGUAGE

I believe in the healing benefits of therapy and the importance of developing a strong sense of self at an early age. As a Child Centred Play Therapist I strive to maintain an unwavering belief in the child’s capacity for growth and self-direction. I am trained to:- Enter the emotional world of the child. Support the child as she/he works through their challenges. Respond empathically to children’s feelings. Use language that builds the child’s self-esteem.

The therapeutic environment allows the child to learn self-control, self-responsibilty, and to ultimately experience mastery. The primary messages that a Play Therapist conveys to the child are:- I am here for you. I hear you. I care about you. I understand you (or try to understand you). You are good enough. I accept you as you are.

For all enquiries contact us today!