Essentially, Play Therapy helps children make sense of, and put into order, their thoughts and feelings, just as adults do using talking therapies. It is vital to children’s developing mental health that we help them to understand their behaviour rather than just respond to it. Play Therapy is a key aspect of this for many children.

 

In the playroom, I use a varied toolkit of sandplay, messy play, puppets, artwork, music, therapeutic storytelling, role play, mindfulness and games. For me, the most important thing about Play Therapy is the authentic relationship the child and therapist share. As the child’s therapeutic process begins the pair become attuned, aware, regulatory, confident and empowered and the healing begins.