The Process
1. Initial Contact:
Initial contact is usually via a 15 minute phone consultation where we will discuss some brief information about your child and their needs, to see if Play Therapy, and me as their therapist, are a good fit.
2. Intake:
The intake session involves meeting with parent(s)/ carer(s) without the child present and is an opportunity to get an understanding of the issues and challenges being experienced and to discuss a suitable treatment plan for the therapeutic process. A full history will be taken and parent(s)/carer(s) may also be asked to complete a questionnaire(s) for more information. This is a collaborative process and a time for parent(s)/carer(s) to learn more about Play Therapy, tour the Playroom and ask any questions.
3. Assessment:
Assessment is designed to get to know the child better, find out their interests, understand their play skills and assists to develop goals and plan for the sessions. With Theraplay® & Interplay® parent(s)/carer(s) attend with their child and in Filial Therapy the whole family attends.
4. Therapy Sessions:
Therapeutic sessions generally take 45 mins, though this may depend on the age of your child and their individual needs. Sessions are held weekly at the same day and time to establish consistency. Play Therapy, Sand Tray and Clay Field® sessions are conducted with the child individually and a parent/carer may be required to wait on-site while the sessions are being held in the playroom. Autplay® and Filial Therapy sessions involve a combination of individual and child/parent sessions and in Theraplay® and Interplay® sessions, both adult and child attend together.
5. Review Sessions:
Parent/carer involvement and consultation is vital when working with children, however it is updates and information should not be shared in front of a child. Parent review sessions allow us both to ask questions, provide feedback, measure changes and discuss possible strategies for home. The schedule of these parent sessions can be arranged to meet the needs of you and your family, and may also be dependent on the duration of therapy.
6. Re-assessment, Recommendations &/or Ending:
At the end of the scheduled sessions - or sooner if identified - we will evaluate together and assess again to see what changes have taken place and determine future recommendations, including continuing or transitioning out of therapy. The length of the Play Therapy process varies in every case, and especially in child-centred play therapy is guided by the child.