“Birds fly, fish swim and children play” Garry Landreth
Play Therapy, an approach to counselling children, uses play to help children work through psychological difficulties in a developmentally appropriate way. The origins of play therapy can be traced back to psychodynamic traditions as a form of working with children. However, nowadays, there are numerous psychotherapeutic approaches that have been adapted to work specifically with children.
Play is described as the natural language of a child. A child experiencing difficulty of any kind in their development is an ideal candidate for child Play Therapy. Play Therapy helps to work through a range of difficulties in a way that is safe, natural and appropriate to children. Children are provided with a safe space to become familiar with and understand their emotions and to work through and come to terms with their experiences. The therapist may use an integrated approach when working with each individual child. Mediums such as sand play, art, drama or story-telling may be used.
Play Therapy is suitable for children of all ages. The therapist will be able to assess the child’s developmental stage and begin with an intervention suitable to that child.
