This is a hard one for me because this is my area, so I will probably waffle on too much. I’ll try to keep it simple, Play therapists use play to communicate and work with children to support their emotional well being and development. Is that simple? One type of play therapy is called non-directive play therapy and it is a bit like counselling , but instead of words we use play. Another is directive play therapy, still using play but the therapist is setting out goals and objectives, third kind is developmental play therapy where play is used to support development of skills. See how complicated it gets? I’ll keep trying.

Jargon.

We like our Jargon too.

Non-directive – The adult follows the child’s lead in the play. So the therapist won’t say we are going to play this game to deal with your anger, or how about you draw a picture showing me how you feel. The child come into the playroom and all the toys are available. The child gets to decide what to do and play. Children play out what they live, in themes and emotions. Very rarely will a child act out something real, so you don’t have to worry about that But If they’ve lost someone important to them their games might be full of a character leaving, or feeling alone, or angry or betrayed, or trying to fix an unfixable problem, which are all emotions around bereavement. As they come up in the play the non-directive play therapists reflects the feelings back, helping the child cope.

Directive – The adult takes the lead. This might be certain toys or games are pickedto reflect the issue at hand, or the child is asked to play particular games. Rarely does it resort to the low of worksheets and questions, but you never know.

Developmental – This is kinda my thing. Kids learn through play, that’s where they learn all those wonderful skills they need to cope. So by supporting play skills you can support development. SO for example when kids are messing around in dirt they are learning how to regulate, manage anxiety as wella s gross motor, fine motor, coordination, volume concepts, pattern recognition, pairing, science concepts god old social skill and the list goes on. Some kids don’t mess around in dirt because their coordination is too o poor, or they have sensory stuff going on or they never got a chance to or they just weren’t interested. So I support them to play in the dirt and help them get a chance to learn all those things.

Regulate – I’ve already used this, cant stop using Jargon. Its simply the ability when you get stressed or excited, or low and sad, or excited and happy, that you can get yourself back to a normal level of being, where you can focus and be ok. It does not mean you are chilled zen mode all the time, or never shout and roar.. Just that when you shout and roar you can get back to the place wher you don’t need to do it anymore.

Attachment– This can be a favourite for many play therapists. Basically it’s the first relationship you have with your main caregiver. This is what gives you space to figure out how the world works, who you are and your place in it. If a child grows up someone who can’t help them feel safe for whatever reason (and there is lots because we all have our stuff going on), then they can have attachment issues. This can ok like attention issues, angry child, sad child, weepy child. Sometimes some processing issues can look like attachment stuff. This means that as a parent of a child with special needs, if you go to a play therapist who doesn’t have experience of that extra need they might come back to you with attachment work needing to be done. This Is not the end of the world because attachment games are fun and are really good for your kids and will never do any harm. They will build confidence and make you and your kid feel good.

Play Room– This is the space the play therapist uses. It might be their own room they have set up as a therapy room, or it might be a room in a school that they use once a week and all the toys are in boxes. Either way usually there are a range of toys, games, art materials and sensory stuff available.

Sand Tray– Because so much stuff goes under play we get to steal lots of things from other therapies. Sand tray therapy is a Jungian therapy for adults, but nearly all play therapists will use it. Its a tray with dry sand that the kids can create a world or story in using miniature toys, houses, plants etc.

Art Therapy – yep we steal this to. An art therapist uses art materials to help their client express their emotions and figure out shit. We do the same for kids.

Music therapy– Yep, in the bag it goes. So real music therapists are actual musicians that can play music and they use the music to communicate and reflect emotion and feelings with their clients. The client doesn’t need any musical ability but the therapist does. So if the clients beats out a slow sad beat, the therapist can use their musical talents to reflect hat beat back and bring extra to it, form and meaning. It’s a powerful process We just messa round with drums and triangles with the kids, but sometimes it feels really good to make lots of loud noise.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy- This Is a directive one because the therapists sts goals. So traditionally the therapist and the client decide whats wrong, and together come up with a plan to fix this, using behavioural techniques and cognitive techniques. Cognitive techniques are where you try to change what and how you think, behavioural one focus on what you do. Play therapists are usually more focused on how you feel, but we dabble with this sometimes too. A psychologist will use these techniques a lot.

When does a child need play therapy?

Well, as a play therapist I can say that every child needs it, go get it now! In reality the best intervention is al little as possible. When you contact a play therapist they should organise to meet with you first, to talk about everything.They may suggest you try some things to do at home first, because not every child needs to come to the play room This is great.

Same as before, if you are referred to play therapy then go. Otherwise if your child has experienced any life changing event that they are struggling to cope with, play therapy might help. This can include bereavement, bullying (including by siblings or family members – this happens too people), family separation, domestic violence, car accident or any type of physical trauma. GIve them some time to adjust themselves, but if they aren’t sleeping, aren’t eating, or are behaving differently form before and you’re wondering what has happened to your little child, then go have a chat with someone.

The big one at the moment is anxiety. If you think your child’s anxiety is holding them back from their lives, then go and talk to someone You can have an introverted child who is just shy and a deep thinker and has always been that way.That is a personality type and does not need fixing. If that personality type is struggling and depressed or low, then go and talk to someone. Ask the child themselves. We can be afraid to bring up the idea of getting help with our kids because we think they will feel we are saying there is something wrong with them. But if they are really struggling, they will want you to notice. Sometimes just by Mum and Dad saying’,hey we can see you are having a hard time, do you want us to find someone to help,’ can make all the difference.

Just because your child has some diagnosis doesn’t mean that play therapy is for them. Play therapy is to help emotional and mental well being. If your child is happy out and coping well all things considered, then they don’t need any extra help. If your child is struggling because of sensory issues, they need to see and OT first. If an OT does a block of sessions and your child is still struggling, a chat with a play therapist might help. Same if your child is struggling because of communication issues – the speech therapist is the one to see there. If they are struggling at school, its an educational psychologist they might need. You Get the idea. Our area is mental health and well being, which is often relevant for kids with a diagnosis but not always.

The exception to this is developmental play therapy. Here we use playtherpay techniques to help kids with a diagnosis in the areas they need support in. So my speciality is autism and I’ve facilitated play groups and individual sessions supporting social play, sensory play, emotional regulation, self expression and building friendships. I don’t teach social skills. I help kids feel comfortable with who they are and find a place in their tribe.

Question your play therapist. Set goals and ask for support at home and arrange to meet regularly with them. A play therapist is support for the parent just as much a the child. If they aren’t meeting up with you there is a reason, ask them what that is. Sometimes parents go into sessions with their kids, especially if they need ot find games they can play at home to support the child. Perhaps they need to try out different approaches to managing and responding to behaviour. You can do this in the play room with the therapist. One of these approaches is called theraplay, it needs a separate qualification. Or they might show you how to play with your child so that you can give them the same experience of play therapy a home, This is called filial therapy and needs a separate qualification – so check your therapist has it.

Kids usually signup for ten sessions, the first few to build up a relationship, four or five to do the work and then the last few to finish. Cost for play therapy varies depending where you live, but it could end up being expensive. SOme places subsidise, but be careful they aren’t suing students.

Play therapists must ne a member of a recognised organisation to practise, so check that. After there training play therapists need to do a number of hours tightly supervised, then they are what is called ‘accredited’. This is a bit like saying senior. They still need to go to supervision at least once a month.

Just to get complicated some play therapists are also psychotherapists, some aren’t. It depends on what training they get. If you have a child with complex needs, find someone with at least three years training, including their own attendance at therapy and preferably a psychotherapist. If you need support because you moved house and your child is struggling to adjust, don’t worry too much about qualifications. Someone who is accredited may charge more then someone working towards accreditation. Many therapists will have a sliding scale for payment, so you may be able to negotiate a lower rate if you ask.