What is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is an established and recognised method of helping children who have experienced emotional, sexual or physical abuse and/or neglect. This trauma can manifest itself in many ways, through emotional withdrawal, bed-wetting, disruptive behaviour, aggression, vandalism, drug and alcohol abuse, and self harm. All of which may eventually lead to violence and crime, or mental health issues in adulthood.
Children cannot communicate with words as adults do, and the provision of Play Therapy can unlock the child's 'story', releasing their feelings and emotions in a safe environment, enabling the child to heal, and giving the child a sense of self worth and pride.
Used with skill and patience by a qualified and experienced practitioner, Play Therapy is a powerful healing tool. It is a dynamic process in which the child is encouraged to recognise and explore issues affecting their life.
A therapist works with a child, at the child's pace, and to the child's agenda, using the same metaphors and symbols that children use to explore their lives. The pictures, games and stories used by the child to express feelings are reflected back in ways that enable the child to gain insight into their behaviour and to consider the possible results arising from the change.
A warm, respectful and friendly rapport is established from the outset, and because the child is accepted as they are, the progress during Play Therapy is always seen as the child's own idea. The progress is gradual, incremental, unhurried, and produces real and lasting change for the better.
Evaluation is on-going, and can be seen in the child as they show improvements in self esteem, school attendance, positive behaviour/actions, anger management etc., which in turn leads to improved relationships with parents/carers, siblings, peers and teachers.
Play Therapy can literally provide a lifeline to many traumatised children and young people.
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