Therapeutic Play or also known as Play Therapy is a method of helping children with social, emotional, and behavioural problems to help themselves through play. Therapeutic Play gives them the opportunity to play out their feelings and problems.
Play is a child’s natural medium of self-expression and is essential for development. Many children need support in their emotional growth. Others have behavioral and mental health problems that prevent them from fulfilling their own potential.
Therapeutic Play is a well-established discipline based on a number of psychological theories including that of Virginia Axline, Carl Rogers, Magaret Lowenfeld, and Rachel Pinney.
At HeadStart for Life’s Therapeutic Play sessions, our play practitioners are trained in therapeutic play procedures to facilitate the development of a safe relationship for your child to express and explore self (feelings, thoughts, experiences and behaviour) through play. This process also gives your child an opportunity for self- development, growth and social integration. Our Therapeutic Play practitioners create a safe, confidential and caring environment, which allows your child to play with as few limits as possible in a safe manner. This allows healing to occur on many levels. Read more about Therapeutic Play here.
Get in touch with one of our
professionals today.
Who needs Therapeutic Play?
Therapeutic Play may be beneficial to children who has been diagnosed with various conditions or show any of the following conditions:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Anger issues
- Attachment issues
- Behavioural problems
- Being bullied, or are bullies themselves
- Communication issues
- Delayed development
- Physical disabilities
- Withdrawn personality
- Poor school attendance
- Social exclusion
- Under-performing (academically, socially, culturally)
Therapeutic Play can also benefit children who may have suffered or suffering from:
- Abuse (emotional, physical, sexual)
- Bereavement or loss
- Nightmares
- Separated or divorced parents
- Trauma
Benefits of Therapeutic Play
- For your child to develop physically, emotionally, and socially
- Fosters your child’s imagination and creativity
- Encourages your child’s confidence and concentration
- Helps your child to make friends and learn about their ever-expanding world
- Allows your child to learn from their mistakes safely
- To establish your child’s relationships
Our Therapeutic Play Approach
At HeadStart for Life, our Therapeutic Play Practitioners embrace the child as a whole person. Therapeutic Play is a child-led session, where children are given responsibility to direct their play within safe boundaries. We use the Play Therapy tool-kit that includes Creative Visualisation, Storytelling, Drama, Puppets and Masks, Art, Music, Dance and Movements, and Sandplay. This tool-kit is based upon the set of competencies described in the Professional Structure Model (PSM) developed by Play Therapy United Kingdom (PTUK). More information about the PSM can be found here.
Click here to learn more about our therapists.
Our Therapeutic Play Process
Call for Appointment
Pre Session Assessment
Parents Interview and Discussion
Therapeutic Play Session Starts
Mid Review
Post Session Assessment
