Play Therapy
Play Therapy is client-centered therapy is offered to children (aged 4-12 years) and adolescents (aged 13-16 years). In the therapy session or "Special Time", children/adolescents are invited to a safe, caring and confidential environment where they work through their feelings and the psychosocial challenges faced.
With the appropriate skills and interventions of the therapist, the client may choose to tap on the different play and creative art modalities that include puppets & masks, music and body/movement, arts and crafts, clay, drama/role playing and sand play or may even choose to "talk face-to-face" only. Children/adolescent will find themselves supported and at the same time, empowered as they developed a tapestry of coping strategies and skills.
When does one refer?
Common referral issues include:
· Anger
· Anxiety
· Family related issues that includes the separation of parents
· Withdrawn/continually unhappy
· Is ill, disabled, autistic?
· Friendship difficulties?
· Quarrels frequently with friends and siblings?
· Bullies others or is bullied themselves?
· Displays inappropriate behaviour?
· Doesn’t play
· Low self-esteem Or
· Other mental health or developmental issues
Efficacy of play therapy
Play therapy is a developmental responsive intervention that has been widely supported of its effectiveness across age, gender and presenting issues.
Please refer to the summary of evidence-based play therapy research as cited here:
