Play Therapy

What is Play Therapy?

Play Therapy helps children understand muddled feelings and upsetting things that they haven't been able to sort out.  With emotional support children learn about their own feelings and thoughts.  They may play out traumatic or difficult experiences to help them make sense of what has happened.  Children may also learn to manage relationships and conflict more appropriately.  Outcomes may result in less anxiety and greater self-esteem or a change in behaviour and improved relationships.

Who might benefit from Play Therapy?

 Play therapy is effective with any child or young person whose emotional development is affected because of difficult or disruptive life experiences.  This could include children who have:

• suffered emotional difficulties.
• experienced behavioural difficulties.
• had difficulties with peers.
• had educational difficulties.
• suffered a major loss.

About the Process

• There is an initial meeting to introduce the Play Therapist to the parents/carers and the child and to explain how play therapy works.
• Parents/carers show their support by accompanying this child to the session and waiting for them.
• The Play Therapist will not share with the parents/carers what the child says or does in the Play Room.  However, the child can tell the parents about the session. 
• A progress meeting will be held after 6 sessions between the parents/carers and Play Therapist.
• There is a wide range of toys to play with, eg puppets, sand, water, art activities, dressing up, small world play.

About the Therapist

Bernie Davis holds a Masters Degree in Play Therapy and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education.She has more than twenty years experience working with children and parents in a variety of settings.      

Bernie is a full member of the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT).

Confidentiality

The child's time in the play room will remain confidential unless the Play Therapist believes a child or anyone else is at serious risk of harm.   

For more information contact: 

Clare Edmonds, Family Support Work Manager

clareedmonds@eci.org.uk

01392 666224