Child-Centred Play Therapy
“Through re-experiencing and testing their world in the playroom, children are given the opportunity to form new neural connections (brain superhighways) within their little brains, increasing their sense of empowerment, emotional regulation, insight, and self-belief.”
Child-Centered Play Therapy is a mode of therapy that is non-directive and allows children to set their own pace for their therapeutic journey. This child-led approach is guided by the belief that when children are given a chance to safely express themselves in a calm non-judgmental therapeutic space and relationship, it will naturally lead them into those areas and parts of their lives that are most meaningful to them. In contrast, where the therapist is directive, opportunities can be lost to uncover what is actually important to the child, what is difficult for the child and what they may be needing and yearning to express and work through. Just like aduls, we know that when children feel better, their behaviour improves and they have Increased confidence in their world.
The Play Therapist’s role is to facilitate play where children are able to freely express themselves in a safe and trusting environment. We provide gentle emotional scaffolding, so that children are free to go where they need to, safely and securely to release, express, process and understand their big feelings in a way that works best for them and to use their own inner resources to shift their perspective, learn better coping strategies and gain more of a sense of balance and control in their lives. Play Therapists are also children’s emotional co-regulators in the playroom, which refers to the way we’re able to feel, sense and hold the child’s emotions during the play session.
Child Centered Play Therapy is evidence-based and results in long lasting, meaningful change. Research suggests that working with children in a non-directive way reduces problematic behaviors, such as internalising (anxiety, worry, frustration) and externalising (anger, aggression, violence) behaviours.
Sessions take place in a playroom filled with a large variety of toys, arts and crafts and other play materials to support a wide range of expression and exploration through therapeutic play. The child is free to play with anything in the room, while the therapist remains a reliable source of support and attachment. The only rule is to take care of each other, the toys and the playroom.
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