Play
Therapy

Play Therapy helps children understand muddled feelings and upsetting events that they haven’t had the chance to sort out properly. Rather than having to explain what is troubling them, as adult therapy usually expects, children use play to communicate at their own level and at their own pace, without feeling interrogated or threatened (BAPT, 2014).

Play therapist

As a therapist, I create a permissive and accepting environment where the child feels secure enough to express and explore his thoughts and feelings. I will be fully present with the child's needs and respect him and treat him with sincerity and honesty.

In the playroom

In play therapy session, I have a large selection of play materials from which the child may choose. These may include art and craft materials, dressing up props, sand and water, clay, small figures and animals, musical instruments, puppets and books. The Play Therapist will enable the child to use these resources to express him or herself without having to provide verbal explanations.

Person-centred approach

It is believed that, given the right conditions, a person can reach their full potential and become their true self, which Carl Rogers termed ‘self-actualisation’. This actualisation process is innate and accessible to everyone.

The right conditions:

unconditional positive regard (UPR)
congruence
empathic understanding