Play Therapy for Children

Child Centered Play Therapy can be a beautiful and effective way to help children and works for children as counselling or psychotherapy does for adults. Child Centered Play Therapy helps children work through emotional, psychosocial and behavioural difficulties and helps address family problems.

In Child Centered Play Therapy, a relationship develops between the child and the therapist. The therapist enters the child’s world, following the child’s lead, developing a safe place and a relationship of trust.

Play Therapy sessions are usually held in a playroom that has a range of carefully selected toys and

materials. In special circumstances, Play Therapy sessions can also be offered in other settings such as home and in hospital. In the playroom, the child can express feelings, thoughts, experiences and behaviours through play. Toys are used like words and become the child’s natural language.

In Child Centered Play Therapy the child selects the toys and activities to play with. The Play Therapist may join in the play on the child’s direction or invitation.

Limits are set as and when needed. This is done in a way that helps children make choices and develop self responsibility.

Play Therapy is designed to help children grow up as happy and well adjusted as possible.