Play therapy was developed as a means for children to work through and express what is troubling them. Exploring feelings and experiences through play and creative mediums comes naturally to children.

Children play before they can speak and can be understood as a child’s first language, and throughout childhood as the language they understand the most. You may have noticed that your children use the toys and or equipment in their environment to play out experiences they have had.

This is their way of making sense of those experiences. In play therapy children can do this in a safe space, where the therapist is an expert in assisting them in processing their expression and development of coping mechanisms.

The therapist creates a safe and permissive environment for the child, there is no right or wrong, all parts of them are welcome and from here the therapeutic alliance is formed. Play therapy helps children to reach their full potential promoting resilience, self awareness and emotional intelligence.

It is suitable for children aged 3 years and up.

We use specific toys and tools in the play therapy room. These include – miniatures, sand, art materials, clay, music, movement, puppets, dress up, small world play, therapeutic stories, visualisations, games and sensory toys. Below is a video of 2 trainee play therapists practicing using sand play.