Child Centred Play Therapy
Child Centred Play Therapy provides children with a safe and supportive space to express themselves through their natural language of play. Rather than relying on children to explain their experiences in words, play allows them to explore feelings, relationships and experiences in a way that is developmentally appropriate and meaningful to them..
What happens in play therapy?
In play therapy, your child is given the freedom to choose how they use the playroom and the materials within it. Rather than directing their play or asking them to talk about difficult experiences, I follow their lead and respond to what emerges through their play.
Within a safe and consistent therapeutic relationship, children can explore feelings, experiences and relationships, develop greater emotional awareness and regulation, and build confidence in themselves and their ability to cope.
How can play therapy help?
Play therapy can support children experiencing a wide range of emotional, behavioural and relational challenges. Rather than focusing only on changing behaviour, we become curious about what the behaviour may be communicating and what the child needs support to develop.
Anxiety, worry and big emotions
Emotional regulation and coping skills
Trauma, grief and difficult life experiences
Changes within the family or important relationships
Confidence and self-esteem
Social and relationship difficulties
Adjusting to change and transitions
Developing a stronger sense of self
What does the process look like?
01. Parent consultation
We begin with a parent or carer consultation to talk about your child, what has been happening, their strengths and needs, and what you are hoping support might help with.
03. Parent check-ins
We stay connected throughout the process. Parent or carer consultations provide an opportunity to share observations, reflect on how your child is progressing and consider ways to support their emotional wellbeing and development outside the playroom.
02. Your child begins play therapy
Your child begins regular individual play therapy sessions. In the playroom, they are free to choose how they play and what they explore, while I provide a safe, consistent and responsive therapeutic relationship.
04. Reviewing progress together
As therapy progresses, we review how your child is going, any changes you are noticing and whether their needs or goals have shifted. Together, we consider what ongoing support will be most helpful for your child and family.
Supporting your child together
Parent consultations provide space to reflect on what you are noticing, develop a deeper understanding of your child’s needs and consider practical ways to support connection, regulation and wellbeing at home.
Parents and carers are an important part of the therapeutic process. While your child’s play therapy sessions provide them with their own private therapeutic space, staying connected with you helps me understand your child within the context of their everyday life, relationships and experiences.
My aim is for the understanding developed through therapy to support not only your child in the playroom, but also the relationships and environments that surround them.
Practical information
Session Length
Play therapy sessions are approximately 45 minutes and take place in a consistent therapeutic space designed to support your child’s play and expression.
How often are sessions?
Regular sessions help provide children with the consistency and predictability that supports the therapeutic process.
Do parents stay in the playroom?
In Child Centred Play Therapy, the child attends the play therapy session without their parent or carer in the playroom. This provides the child with their own therapeutic space to explore and express themselves freely, while parents and carers remain an important part of the wider therapeutic process through regular consultation.
How long will my child need play therapy?
Every child and family is different, so there is no set number of sessions. We will review your child’s progress together over time and consider their individual needs, therapeutic goals and any changes you are noticing.
Wondering whether play therapy might be right for your child?
You don’t need to know whether play therapy is the right fit before getting in touch. You’re welcome to tell me a little about what has been happening for your child, and we can consider together whether Child Centred Play Therapy may be a helpful next step.