Who is Play Therapy For?

“You can discover more about someone in an hour of play than in a year of conversation”
— Plato

Play Therapy is a child-centred and inclusive approach that recognises, responds and values each child as unique.

It is ideally suited to all children aged from 3 to 12 years, and has been found to be an effective therapeutic approach for a variety of developmental, social, emotional and behavioural concerns including:

  • Low self-esteem & self-confidence

  • Emotional regulation difficulties, such as aggression and acting out

  • Separation anxiety & other fears, worries and/or sadness

  • Selective mutism

  • Difficulties with social skills development

  • Experiences with bullying or struggles with friendship issues

  • Chronic illness &/or hospitalisation

  • Grief & Loss

  • Trauma

  • Difficulties adjusting to family changes, like relocation, separation, divorce & reunification

  • Sleeping, eating or toileting issues

  • Attachment & bonding difficulties

  • Children in adoption, foster care & OoHC

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) & Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) challenges*

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) challenges*

  • Developmental Delays

    *Island Play Therapy is a neurodiversity-affirming practice that seeks not to change children, but to help them thrive according to who they are.

    For more information about social, emotional and behavioural disorders click here

There are a number of different types of Play Therapy services offered by Island Play Therapy, so please click here to learn more.